In Depth:  Peter Butler

On May 4, Wheelock Heath Baptist Church, Cheshire, met with friends for the induction of Paul Gibson to the pastorate.

Over 160 members and friends met to give thanks to God for answered prayer and bringing Paul, Helen and their two children, Sarah and Timothy, to Wheelock Heath. The happy occasion was chaired by one of the elders, Bob Baxter. Peter Butler, fellow elder, gave a history of the call, speaking of biblical leadership being a team effort. Paul responded by recalling the way the Lord had led him in ministry to his arrival in Cheshire. Bryan Jarvis, an elder from his previous church family in Leamington Spa, presented a warm commendation of Paul’s character, gifts and evident development and said that he and Helen will be greatly missed. Simon Medcroft, Danbury Mission, Essex, performed the induction. Bill James spoke from 1 Peter 1-4, stating that an elder, overseer, and shepherd is to be a pastor of God’s flock. He is to be a servant of Christ, a witness and sharer in Christ’s sufferings, dependent on God for daily grace. He is to be a committed leader and the love of Christ must be the constraining influence.