On 13 October, Grace Baptist Church, Hitchin held a welcome service for their new pastor Tom Forryan.
Around 200 people gathered in The Priory School, Hitchin as friends of the family and former church members joined the 20 or so existing members. Ashkan Sarmadi, current pastor of Derby Road Baptist Church, Watford spoke warmly of Tom’s previous ministry. Richard Lambert, Elder, explained the challenges of their three-year search for a pastor, mentioning in particular a ‘somewhat sombre’ evening gathering of church officers when they seemed to be out of options. In the providence of God, a few days later a phone call suggesting Tom for consideration was received.
Tom spoke and led in prayer for the town of Hitchin, a mission field of some 33,000 people. Barry King, pastor of Dunstable Baptist Church, preached from 1 Thessalonians 1 and 2. From Paul’s own example, he charged Tom to teach the truth with great love for God’s people. He also challenged the congregation to receive the word humbly, suggesting that the Lord might use their recent testing times as a means of making them teachable. He concluded by reminding everyone that it is God’s Word which does the work, so all need to trust God and be patient.
