The Reverend Doctor Peter E. Golding’s life was one in which remarkable, multifaceted achievement was made in the face of adversity which marked much of his life from childhood.
He had chronic asthma, which resulted in his leaving school at the age of 16 without qualifications and barely 5 feet tall as he’d stopped growing. No remedy had worked, and his parents had ‘prayed without ceasing’ for Peter. However, a trip to La Bourboule, a spa town in Central France saw a remarkable deliverance with him growing, at aged 20, four inches!
Brought up in a Pentecostal church by committed Christian parents, he attended Westminster Chapel during the heyday of the ministry of Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Peter was captivated by what he heard, with respect to both its intellectual depth and the passion of its oratory. Peter was clearly seeking to follow the Lord in his everyday behaviour. He met Hilary at the Chapel and married in 1962.
Feeling called to the ministry, Peter studied at London Bible College and also worked for a time at the The Banner of Truth. His early attempts at public speaking were not, to put it mildly, a great success, but his heart was in it. He learned fast and he started to receive preaching invitations to stand-in during ministers’ absences. He was called to become the pastor of Hayes Town Chapel, where he remained for 30 years until his retirement.
Peter undertook detailed study on Covenant Theology and, in 1993, successfully submitted a thesis for a PhD Degree. He published some books, and also served on the board of the London Theological Seminary.
These years were also marked by great trials for Peter, on account of the state of Hilary’s health. He showed exemplary care of her, whilst fulfilling his responsibilities as a pastor. This is greatly to his credit and showed the extraordinary calibre of the man.
He died in April with his favourite carer George alongside him, as family weren’t allowed to visit his care home.
‘So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.’ The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan
