Return to the main Induction page here . . .
The Induction Service for Steve Fenton as our Lead Pastor
On Saturday 29 November the Church was full to thank God and celebrate this very important milestone in the life of HBC. It was great that so many could be there including several members of Steve & Val’s family and also friends from Steve’s Moorland College days where he studied Applied Theology. It was good to have the Mayor of Hertford, Kim Darby and the Town Clerk, Nina Villa, Councillors and leaders from the Churches of Hertford and Ware with us as well.
Simon Carver, our Moderator during the transition, led the service. The Church is very grateful to Simon for his calm and wise leadership at key church meetings in the past months. Stephen Copson, Regional Minister of the Central Baptist Association then led the formal part of the induction.
The story of how Steve, Val, Sarah & Bethany had come to HBC in 2002 was told by Ken Hall and Steve himself. Ken spoke of the development of Steve’s strong ministry here over the years and then how the Church and Steve, through a journey which had been exciting, uplifting and also difficult at times, had understood God’s plan for Steve to be Lead Pastor. Many in the church have said that how looking back, they can see the journey has brought us together more strongly.
In completing the induction Steve and the Church made promises to God for living out our responsibilities in serving God together in our church family.
Steve Brady, Principal of Moorlands College was the speaker at the service and was known to many as he speaks widely at conferences and special events. He held everyone’s attention using a passage from 1 Thessalonians v 12-15 and giving many illustrations to help us as a Church move forward with our new Lead Pastor.
The service was preceded and followed with lots of refreshments, a very good tradition, when it was good to meet folk and share the joy of the occasion as a new chapter at HBC opens before us.
Ken Hall - Church Secretary
Return to the main Induction page here . . .
