READY TO SERVE

The Revd. Mark Thomas, our new superintendent, reflects on his appointment:

‘I am a man of Gwent, born and bred in Newport, having only lived ‘away’ for four years whilst a student at London Bible College (now London School of Theology) and Spurgeon’s College (also in London).

That seems like a long time ago now but it gave me a good foundation for the various roles I have undertaken in local church life – itinerant lay preacher, bi-vocational pastor of Zion Baptist, Cwmcarn, association administrator at the South Wales Baptist Association, and currently minister of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Blackwood.

I will always be grateful to God for the variety of ministry experiences he has given me, not least this opportunity to serve the Gwent Baptist Association as superintendent.I still clearly recall standing in front of the lectern at Mount Pleasant on my first day there, almost 10 years ago, and telephoning a ministerial friend with a question, “So, what do I do now?” Thankfully, no one else was in the building at the time; otherwise they might have been a little worried!  The same question comes to me now. But, as then, I am trusting God to equip me with whatever I need in order to serve the Gwent Association churches.’

Mark has been married for 30 years to Anne, an audiological scientist in the NHS.

Mark can be contacted on either 07530 055440 or email : markinbalckwood@gmail.com