The people of Alfred Place Baptist Church in Aberystwyth are unaccustomed to ordination and induction services – their last one was 50 years ago when the young Geoff Thomas became their minister. But on Saturday 3 September, Rhodri Brady was formally installed as their new pastor.
Rhodri is 26, a drama and theatre studies graduate of Aberystwyth University, married to Sibyl, with two boys, Gwilym and Ezra. He is the oldest son of Gary Brady, minister of Child’s Hill Baptist Church, London and of Eleri, Geoff Thomas’s eldest daughter. In other words, Rhodri is the latest scion in the Thomas-Brady family of preachers.
Six vows for service
The service was presided over by Robert Strivens, Principal of the London Seminary where Rhodri has been studying for the last two years. Gary Brady read the great ministerial charge from 2 Timothy 3.13 – 4.5. The history of Rhodri’s call was recounted. Then the ordination and induction was undertaken, with Rhodri taking six vows and the church members affirming one question. An exhortation was given, based on 2 Timothy 4:1, and Geoff Thomas concluded with a magisterial prayer.