Bob Marsden writes: To God be the glory, great things He has done, and He did great things in and through the life and ministry of Justin Mote, who died recently.
Justin was converted while at school and he was nurtured in the faith at Emmanuel Church, Northwood. He studied at Oak Hill but, being too young to be legally ordained, he served as a lay curate at St Mary’s Basingstoke with Alex Ross.
His curacy at St John’s Ealing was overshadowed by the death of his wife Ruth in a car accident. His injuries included permanently impaired sight, but God’s power was made perfect in his weakness and it was clear that God had given him a great Bible teaching gift.
Justin remarried in 1991 and he and Jo moved to St Helen’s Bishopsgate. Building on the work of Dick Lucas and others, Justin oversaw and developed the church’s ‘Read Mark Learn’ course, which equipped and enthused large numbers for Bible ministry.
His move to lead Holy Trinity Church, Spital, was the start of an immensely fruitful ministry in the North West. The North West Gospel Partnership was established in 2003 with Justin as its full-time director. The course grew rapidly in numbers and scope, many were trained for Bible ministry of all kinds, and churches were planted. Students quickly became familiar with his infectious catchphrase ‘Hurray for Jesus’!
His wider commitments were the Kingham Hill Trust, the work of AMiE (Anglican Mission in England, which is not part of the Church of England), and ministry overseas.
He was always up for watching cricket anywhere in the country. Sadly, poor health forced Justin to give up ministry but, through many struggles, his faith in Christ remained undimmed. We grieve, but we grieve with a great hope. We pray for Jo and his children, Jono, Katie and Harry, and we thank God for a remarkable ministry that leaves a great gospel legacy.
