Celebrating 103 years on Nov 21, 2025
- James Houston
- Dec 4, 2025
- 2 min read
Dear friends
The family would like to thank you for your many birthday messages that Dad has received to celebrate his 103rd birthday. Cards, emails, and phone calls have brought great joy to him. Rather than a one-time celebration, he has been well celebrated over the whole month. His men’s Bible study group, which he attended for over 50 years, came in small groups for a visit.
The group of Rita’s Bible study had a small party for him in his home. Mum had started the group to provide connection for wives of students enrolled at Regent. Sheila Shannon took over for Mum when she could no longer lead, and it is now a joint effort. It is so lovely to see the fellowship continue with this group of women, some even in different parts of the world.
Family met at various times throughout the month, with a birthday party on the 21st with his some of the family attending, including 5 of his 16 great grandchildren. It was a joy for Dad to attend a church service for the first time in many months. First Baptist Church congregation warmly welcomed him, and sang a rousing 'happy birthday' while he ‘snuggled’ with his wiggling 18-month-old youngest great grandchild.
We had no idea that we would have the privilege of still celebrating the gift of this godly father, who has loved and is being loved by so many. It was an honour to hear that, at a Regent Alumni gathering in Oxford on his birthday, 40 voices sang happy birthday to our dear Dad. Christianity Today released an article on his birthday. Many thanks to Isabel Ong for pressing through and writing this special piece in their series of ‘faithful evangelicals practicing a “long obedience in the same direction”’. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/jim-houston-regent-college-books-spiritual-theology-profile/
Thank you so much for all your visits and birthday wishes. He has loved it all.
Dad is doing well overall, although some days he feels more like his 103 years than the usual 80! He still loves to write and shares with us much joy as he describes a new composition idea. Usually, he has spent the night ruminating and praying, and wakes ready to start writing. His capacity fades faster and he rests more often, but delights in seeing others, blessing them, and sharing the love of his dear friend, Jesus. Hymns are a huge part of his worship, and Dad dwells often on the beautiful lyrics that have such deep meaning. He has a friend who comes in regularly to play his recorder while Dad sings the hymns.
We do see a general decline as the physical being fades, but his spirit and passion continue strong. Continue to pray for him. Aging is not for the faint of heart and there are some tough times. We are all grateful that the Lord does not ask us to live the 900 years as in the days of Abraham.
Many thanks for your continued love and interest, your correspondence and your prayers.
The Houston Family
Dear Jim, Claire, and family, Deb and I rejoice that you are together with each other for Jim's 103rd. In our mid-seventies we already have some sense of the changes that come with getting older. We hope we are also becoming more of what it means to be elders, as dear Jim has done, and as Jim's teachings on that subject explore. We think of you often, and always raise a prayer of gratitude and intercession for you. How fine that Jim has many friends who stay in touch with him and express their love for him. Thank you Jim and Claire for your friendship through the years. Let us be of good cheer as we think of the promise…
Dear Jim: You are still in my thoughts, and I still hope to do some writing related to your book on the Creator. The CS Lewis Institute is thriving and Kathy and I will be meeting with Bob and Carol Hamrin for our annual birthday party for Jesus soon. Blessings from all of us!
Happy birthday to my inspiring friend. You have blessed my life and that my dear wife, Dixie, who has preceded us over10 years ago to our glorious home-yet-to-be.
I still fondly remember our being with you and Rita in your home for lunch as we were becoming acquainted, prior to your speaking engagement at the CASA conference in Dallas Texas, in November, 2013. At that intimate gathering, you said to us, “ these are the golden years, the years I get to love my beautiful Rita without expecting anything in return.“
Little did I realize that it would be just over a year from that time with you that Dixie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and I would learn the…
Dear Dr. Houston, how wonderfully blessed you are in the Lord to celebrate your 103rd birthday with family and friends. May the Lord continue to grant you many more moments of His joy each day. Kong Beng from Malaysia.
So much joy in this letter and these pictures! I love Jim so much, and I am so grateful for his investment in me as a younger woman! Happy birthday and many blessings to him and all of you, his family!