The induction service for Andrew Wigham, the new pastor of Yateley Baptist Church in Hampshire, was held on September 14 at Yateley Manor School.
Over 170 people, including a good number from Wales, joined in a service of praise and worship. The meeting was led by Ray Smith, one of the elders of the church. During the initial part of the service, Ken Walters, another of the elders, explained how the church came to feel that Andrew was ‘the man of God’s choosing’ to lead the church forward. In response, Andrew spoke of his call to full-time ministry, from being a shy person to preaching in the open air in Covent Garden. He has pursued theological study in Wales and has experience working in a number of churches. More recently he has worked in a school in Rumney, Cardiff, with special needs students.
Prayers and sermon
The formal act of induction was conducted by another elder, Eric Lane. Prayers for the Wigham family were offered by Meirion Thomas, the pastor of Malpas Road Evangelical Church in Newport, where Andrew and his wife Catherine were members. The sermon, which was a charge to the pastor and church members, was preached by Peter Milsom, a former director of Unevangelised Field Mission and currently director of Affinity, an association of evangelical churches throughout the UK.
