Roy Brackenbury provides an update on the ministry at Marshalswick Baptist Free Church.

A Minister materialises

AT A SPECIAL CHURCH MEETING on 5th August, church members voted unanimously to Invite Mr Graham Clarke BA (Hons) to be the minister of this church.  On Sunday, 10th August, I was able to announce that Graham had accepted our invitation and that he will be taking his place with us on 1st November.

On that day, we will hold a combined service of Ordination to the Ministry and Graham’s Induction as our minister.  Graham comes to us after serving the YMCA organisation for over 23 years, following his initial university degree course when he obtained a BA with honours in applied social science.
His time with the YMCA included a number of years as a youth worker in junior and senior roles; some ten years as regional secretary for the south and south east region, and his last position with the YMCA was as director of programme development.  During this time he became a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).  Baptlsed at an early age, Graham has been in continuous membership in Baptist churches and, from 1989, has been heavily involved with the Baptist church at Eastleigh in Hampshire, helping in the development of a town centre church as well as participating in youth and children’s work.  It was during a visit to the Holy Land In 1996 that he felt God calling him to use his experience and gifts in a pastoral ministry in a local church.
In 2000, with the support of his wife, Julia, and the church at Eastleigh, he began his ministerial training through the Open Theological and Regent’s Park College, Oxford, and has completed an advanced diploma course in theological and Biblical studies.  During his studies he was appointed student minister at Eastleigh, serving the church there through an interregnum, as well as preaching in other churches in the Southampton district.
Graham comes to us with a breadth and wealth of experience - which, I believe, would be difficult to match in many ministerial candidates - but he also comes as a minister to his first church.
As that first church, we have a particular responsibility to give him our full support, to share as fully as we are able in the work for God’s Kingdom, as he leads us.  We must also ensure that he is given proper opportunities to continue in his studies to be fully accredited by the Baptist Union and respect his privacy to allow him to do this.  Saturday 1st November will be a special day in the life of this fellowship.  Please note this day in your diaries and come to share in welcoming Graham and Julia to our fellowship, as well as sharing in making a commitment to work together for the extension of God’s Kingdom in Marshalswick.

By Roy Brackenbury.