Just after World War II a young naval officer was stopped on the street in Sydney, Australia, by a stranger who asked him: ‘Where will you go if you were to die today?’. That question led to his conversion to Christ and a long life of fruitful ministry.
Peter Culver left banking to become assistant to Francis Dixon at Lansdowne Baptist Church in Bournemouth and then minister of Calvin Road Free Evangelical Church across town.
Move to Bath
In 1976 with his wife, May, he settled in Bath as minister of Widcombe Baptist Church. For 14 years he served the church as a much loved preacher and pastor, drawing people of all ages including many students. By no means parochial, Peter chaired Bath Word in Action and served as President of the growing Fellowship of I n d e p e n d e n t E v a n g e l i c a l Churches. On retirement, Bath became the base for an extensive itinerant preaching ministry. The big man, with a dignified bearing and a kind face, would open his big Bible, announce his text and then characteristically pray that, through his human voice, God’s voice might be heard. And that is what happened time and again.
Seventeen churches
For many years Peter cared for the group of 17 churches in the Bath, Chippenham and Swindon area. He was pastor to students on the Prepared for Service training course. In his 70s he went to India on a preaching tour. Right up to the end, he led the Evangelical Ministers’ Fellowship that meets in Bristol quarterly.
Though the pastor of a large congregation and a decided leader, Peter had a delightfully humble spirit. He cared about people and was a great encourager. He was a loyal friend. He lived to please his Saviour.
Peter went to be with Christ on November 7, aged 88. He will be greatly missed.
