Eastwood Road EvangelicalChurch
On Saturday 3 November 130 people gathered at Eastwood Road Evangelical Church, Rayleigh, in Essex, to celebrate the ordination and induction of Andrew Mumford to the pastorate. Andrew trained for the ministry at Aberdeen University, graduating with a BD in 1995.
The chairman was Pastor Bob Werrett (Shoeburyness), Chairman of the Union of Evangelical Churches of which the church is a part (as well as being affiliated to the FIEC). A history of the call was given by church secretary Harold Fossey. The church had been through a difficult time following the homecall of the former pastor’s wife. Ten months later (April 2007) Pastor David Smee, after much suffering, went to be with the Saviour whom he had so faithfully served.
Help in finding a new pastor was given by the FIEC. After a number of visits to Rayleigh, Andrew Mumford was given a unanimous call.
Greetings were received from various churches and organisations (including Leighton Road Evangelical Church, Ipswich, where Andrew had served as a pastor’s assistant). This was followed by the ordination and induction, conducted by the chairman.
The highlight of the service was the charge to the pastor and church, given by Rev. Malcolm Laver, former General Secretary of FIEC. He spoke passionately from 1 Timothy 1 and 4 about the nature of the ministry and the need to preach the Word, and to have a love for the Lord, his Word and the people of God. This was followed by a response from Andrew. The service closed with Vernon Higham’s hymn ‘Great is the gospel of our glorious God’ and the new pastor gave the benediction.
Both pastor and church look to the future with hope and expectancy for the Lord’s blessing.
