James Innell Packer was born on July 22, 1926, in Twyning, Gloucestershire, England. Raised in a nominally Anglican family, young Packer's life changed dramatically at age seven after a bread van accident, which led him to embrace reading and writing over sports. This early interest in literature laid the groundwork for his intellectual pursuits.
Oxford Student's Academic Faith
While attending Corpus Christi College at Oxford, Packer perceived himself as an ordinary student, deeply engaged in intellectual debates. Though he defended Christianity, his understanding of faith was more academic than personal. His journey took a pivotal turn on October 22, 1944, at St Aldate's Anglican Church in Oxford. During an evangelistic service led by the Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union, Packer listened to an elderly preacher share his conversion story, sparking a realization within him.
The Moment of Conversion
Packer described the moment vividly, likening it to looking in from outside a window at a joyous gathering. By the end of the service, moved by the hymn "Just as I Am," he prayed to Jesus, inviting Him into his life. As Packer himself recalled, "By the end of those 20 minutes I was clear that I, like the preacher, needed to be converted. By the end of the service I was a Christian." Leaving the church, he felt profoundly changed, and upon returning to his room, he immediately wrote to his parents about the transformation.
A Life Dedicated to Ministry
Following his conversion, Packer dedicated his life to Christian service, eventually becoming a prominent leader within the Evangelical movement in the Church of England. He was ordained as a deacon in 1952 and priest in 1953, serving as an assistant curate in Birmingham. His passion for teaching and theological exploration grew, leading him to write influential works, including *Knowing God*, which has guided many in understanding their faith.
Throughout his life, Packer emphasized the importance of knowing and communing with God, urging the church to embrace holiness and repentance. Even in his later years in Vancouver, where he taught at Regent College, his mission remained clear: "Glorify Christ every way."
