On Saturday 31st August, about 250 people met in Capel y Traeth, Cricieth. They came from Cardiff,
London, several parts of North Wales and other places in the UK. Why did so many visit this small seaside town on the Lleyn Peninsula? The reason was the ordination of Ben Thomas to the ministry and his induction to the pastorate of Cricieth Family Church.
We were welcomed by Rev. Selwyn Morgan, who led the service. He spoke of the twofold nature of a call to the ministry: the inward call, which Ben had experienced, and the outward call to a specific
people. After the first hymn, Rev. Dafydd Meirion Jones led in prayer. These two ministers, with Rev.
Derek Adams, had formed an advisory group to help this young church in the process of selecting and
calling a pastor. The hymns were printed on the ‘order of service’ in both English and Welsh, and we
were encouraged to sing in either language.
Mr. Andrew Bradley, one of the three men who had been instrumental in the formation of the church, and now an elder, gave the history of the call. He spoke of the formation of the church eight years earlier, arising from a beach mission held annually for many years. About three years ago, they had known God’s leading to seek to call a pastor. He recounted a series of events which had resulted in Ben preaching in the church, the family visiting, and Ben ultimately being invited by the church to become their pastor; a call which Ben had accepted.
Rev. Andrew Murray, representing the Soho and Covent Garden Churches, where Ben has been working for three and a half years, commended Ben. He spoke of their sadness at losing Ben and Bethan, but also their gratitude to God for providing a replacement for them.
In response, Ben spoke of his vision for the church at Cricieth. His desire is that they will be a people who love God and His Word, love the Lord’s people, and love those outside as the church makes the Gospel known. He also spoke of his awareness of his own inability and need for the Lord’s help. He asked all in the congregation to covenant to pray for them. The Elders and Pastors laid hands on Ben, and our Pastor led in prayer as Ben was ordained and inducted to the Pastorate in Cricieth.
The preacher was Rev. Chris Jenkins, from Baldock in Hertfordshire, originally from Bridgend. He spoke from 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Paul’s exhortation to Timothy. He encouraged Ben to follow these instructions in the work, whatever the situation. The important issue was that Ben should seek messages from God for his congregation. He stressed the importance of a Pastor being called of God. The God who calls will provide and uphold even when things are difficult. Mr. Jenkins also challenged the congregation to be ready to meet the Lord, the righteous Judge, by trusting in Him who took our punishment. We must be receptive to the Word of God, pray for the preaching and support those who preach.
After the bilingual singing of ‘Here is love vast as the ocean’, the new pastor of Cricieth Family Church closed the service in prayer. After the service, all were invited to the Holiday Club hall, where the Church meets on Sundays, for refreshments. This was also an opportunity for fellowship, meeting friends we had not seen for many years (in my case, one from student days more than 40 years ago).
It was a joy to be in Cricieth on this very special day, and the sense of God’s leading for this young
church and His presence as we met together was an encouragement to all. Please continue to pray
for the Lord’s blessing and guidance for Ben and Bethan. Pray also for the church, the town and indeed the whole of the Lleyn Peninsula. Some members of the church travel considerable distances to worship in Cricieth. Ben’s desire is that the Lord will raise up other churches throughout that area.
Richard Akrill
Ben and Bethan talk about their present work in Cricieth and their former ministry in London in an S4C programme “O Flaen dy Lygaid” (in Welsh with English subtitles).
