Chris is a minister-in-training at Spurgeon’s college and will be on placement with us for the next two years.

We asked Chris to introduce himself, this is what he said:

Last year I believed God was calling me to go back to being a student, after working as an actuary in London for over 20 years. So now I am studying theology full-time as Spurgeon’s College in South London. It’s a three-year course, and as part of that I am spending roughly one day a week at Bessels Green – the idea is to help me to find out more about what church work is really like, and to put into practice some of the things I am learning at College.

I am married to Fiona (who teaches the violin) and we have three teen-age children who are also musical, so our house is always very noisy with a trumpet, bass guitar, oboe, violin, piano and cello all competing for air time. I enjoy cycling to keep me fit and to give me some peace!

It’s good to be back in this area, which is where I grew up, although for most of the last 20 years I have lived in Sussex. Our family has been part of Haywards Heath Baptist Church during that time: I have been an elder, Fiona and I have led youth groups, and we were part of a team that planted a new congregation which meets in a primary school near our home.

I am enjoying being a student again, although writing essays and learning biblical languages can be a challenge. And I am particularly grateful for the way that people at Bessels Green Baptist Church are helping me to develop in my service of God.