Coedpoeth Evangelical Church
The officers of Coedpoeth Evangelical Church, Wrexham, had anticipated that the congregation for the ordination and induction of their new pastor, Paul Ackerley, would exceed the capacity of their regular place of worship.
This proved to be the case, as about 150 adults and children gathered in nearby Disgwylfa Chapel on 15 September. It was a joy to see so many friends.
The service was conducted by the present minister, Pastor Martin Hagget, who is retiring because of reduced health. Rev. Neil Pfeiffer, the former minister of the church, led the act of ordination.
After giving a helpful explanation of the biblical basis for ordination, in which the distinctive nature of the call to the Christian ministry was stressed, Mr Pfeiffer joined with the other officiating ministers and the elders of the church, David Griffiths and Colin Jones, in ordaining Mr Ackerley with the laying on of hands.
This was followed by the act of induction. In response to a brief account of how the church had been led to call their new pastor, Mr Ackerley told the congregation of the Lord’s dealings with him. A clear sense of the magnitude of the task and of utter dependence on the work of the Holy Spirit pervaded what was said.
Mutual love
The present pastor then addressed exhortations both to Mr Ackerley and the 26 members of the church, drawing attention to the analogy between the uniting of a pastor and people and a wedding.
Mutual love, sacrifice, desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, faithfulness and perseverance were required in both. The local church was exhorted to pray for their pastor and esteem him very highly for his work’s sake.
The service culminated with a stirring message preached by Rev. John Thackway from 1 Timothy 4:16: ‘Take heed to thyself and to the doctrine’.
He emphasised that, vitally important as pure doctrine is, the order of the verse must be maintained — the cultivation of the pastor’s own spiritual life is so vital. The people were again urged to pray for their pastor daily. The message concluded with a clear call to unbelievers in the congregation to turn to the Lord.
The service was an occasion of joy and thanksgiving, as well as solemnity, given the momentous nature of gospel ministry.
Following the service, a tea was held in the local parish hall, during which presentations were made to Mr Ackerley, his wife Kyu and their two boys, Christopher and Elias, as well as to the wives of the officiating ministers. We give thanks to God for his goodness to us in all things.
Martin Hagget
