New pastor for Morton Baptist
It was cold but sunny on 14 January, when more than 120 people gathered for the ordination of Jonathan Hunt and his induction to the pastorate of Morton Baptist Church.
We were glad to have the use of a video relay to the schoolroom as we could have filled the chapel twice. Visitors included those from far and wide who have supported the work here, and we thank the Lord for their faithful ministry and support over many years.
The church, on the outskirts of Thornbury, near Bristol, has been without a pastor since 2006 when Rev. Peter Crowhurst retired through ill health. Since then, the fellowship has prayed much that the Lord would send us a man of his own choice.
So it was with grateful hearts we gathered together to thank almighty God for answering our prayers abundantly above all that we could ask.
Mr Hunt, his wife Clare and son John, have come to us from Cheltenham Evangelical Free Church, where he served as the preaching elder for more than three years.
Unsearchable riches
Rev. Colin Lewis from Gloucester presided over the services. In the induction service, the secretary gave a brief overview of the 178-year history of faithfulness to biblical truth at Morton.
The chapel was for many years a preaching station, only becoming fully independent in 1984. Mr Hunt has, therefore, become our fifth pastor since 1984 and our 22nd pastor overall. He was called unanimously by the membership and began his ministry on 1 January.
Rev. Alex MacDougall from Lancashire was the preacher at the induction service. His text was Ephesians 3:8, ‘The unsearchable riches of Christ’.
He explained how incredible it was that the great apostle to the Gentiles should say that he was ‘less than the least of the saints’. But he’d been changed by the power of Christ on the Damascus road, and then called by grace to preach ‘the unsearchable riches of Christ’, as all ministers are.
Mr MacDougall urged the new pastor and the congregation to make much of Jesus Christ. Warm fellowship was enjoyed later as all gathered for a buffet tea and many remarked what a blessing the day had been.
We look to the Lord to bless Mr Hunt’s ministry and to crown the gospel with success, in adding to our number all those who have been elected to eternal life.
Philip Chillcott
