Wigmore Evangelical Free Church recently celebrated a happy weekend of thanksgiving services for Pastor Timothy Wood, who has served the Lord here for 25 years.
Wigmore Evangelical Free Church recently celebrated a happy weekend of thanksgiving services for Pastor Timothy Wood, who has served the Lord here for 25 years. To have served the Lord for such a long time in the same church is remarkable, but Pastor Tim commented that he saw no reason to leave a people whom he has grown to love and serve.
The weekend began with an informal evening over a buffet tea. The church secretary, Russell Smith, paid a moving tribute to Pastor Tim. He reminded folk that Pastor Tim came to the church in November 1990 at the age of 28, and proved himself to be a person with a great sense of humour, if a little accident prone! He spoke of the difficulties of the early years and Pastor’s determination to steer the church on the right course by standing firm on the word of God.
Pastor Tim’s brother, Jonathan (Pastor of Cardea Community Church in Peterborough) also spoke, making mention of Tim’s early days and the difficulties he overcame in his young life. He referred to his testimony, from being a thug to conversion by the grace of God, and then to his calling and his continued ministry. This was followed by presentation of gifts from the church to Pastor Tim, his wife, Susan, and to his family, Thomas, Bethany, Jonathan and David, in recognition of the sacrifices made by them.
The celebrations continued on the Sunday, with a Fellowship lunch between the two Sunday services. Further tributes were paid to Pastor Tim, by three retired pastors: James Wood (Timothy’s father), Geoff Gobbett (former pastor at Hope Chapel and Highbury Baptist Church, and now a member at Wigmore), and Robert Winston (former pastor at Belhus Park Chapel, and now also a member at Wigmore). Each of them spoke of their role in supporting Tim’s call to the Ministry and referred to his determination and strength of character.
Pastor Tim made it clear that it is all of grace that he has been privileged to serve the Lord at Wigmore and expressed his gratitude for the Lord’s faithfulness over this quarter-century. He pledged to continue to serve but stop short of promising to stay for another 25 years as this would make him 78 years of age!
The church give thanks for such a blessed ministry.
The weekend began with an informal evening over a buffet tea. The church secretary, Russell Smith, paid a moving tribute to Pastor Tim. He reminded folk that Pastor Tim came to the church in November 1990 at the age of 28, and proved himself to be a person with a great sense of humour, if a little accident prone! He spoke of the difficulties of the early years and Pastor’s determination to steer the church on the right course by standing firm on the word of God.
Pastor Tim’s brother, Jonathan (Pastor of Cardea Community Church in Peterborough) also spoke, making mention of Tim’s early days and the difficulties he overcame in his young life. He referred to his testimony, from being a thug to conversion by the grace of God, and then to his calling and his continued ministry. This was followed by presentation of gifts from the church to Pastor Tim, his wife, Susan, and to his family, Thomas, Bethany, Jonathan and David, in recognition of the sacrifices made by them.
The celebrations continued on the Sunday, with a Fellowship lunch between the two Sunday services. Further tributes were paid to Pastor Tim, by three retired pastors: James Wood (Timothy’s father), Geoff Gobbett (former pastor at Hope Chapel and Highbury Baptist Church, and now a member at Wigmore), and Robert Winston (former pastor at Belhus Park Chapel, and now also a member at Wigmore). Each of them spoke of their role in supporting Tim’s call to the Ministry and referred to his determination and strength of character.
Pastor Tim made it clear that it is all of grace that he has been privileged to serve the Lord at Wigmore and expressed his gratitude for the Lord’s faithfulness over this quarter-century. He pledged to continue to serve but stop short of promising to stay for another 25 years as this would make him 78 years of age!
The church give thanks for such a blessed ministry.