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I have served here happily for 11 years now, and Latimer has been a home to my family and I. It has been a joy to preach God’s word and to pastor a church who love Jesus and are hungry for his word. 

I have been called by a church in Brentford to move to be their minister. It is Immanuel Church (part of the International Presbyterian Church). With great thought, and prayer I have decided to accept. This means that we will be leaving, and I am handing in my notice. 

This isn’t because I am unhappy at the church here. There are so many good things and we have very strong and deep relationships with you, and those outside the church. We’ve been through so much together. But an important consideration is that it will only ever get harder from now on to move (particularly with the age of my children). The church and situation in Brentford seem to fit where I am right now as a pastor and a Christian. Also, we have been very disappointed by the responses from officials in our area when we have tried to access the support our son needs (compared to what we know happens in other areas). 

I don’t know yet exactly when we will be moving. It is likely that it will be around easter time. 

I have also thought about the church here. It is never a good time for a pastor to move on. This is a simplistic way of putting it, but either things are going terribly and people are relieved (in which case it is a horrible situation), or things are ok and people are surprised and saddened. 

I do feel that there are lots of encouragements here right now, there are no enormous problems, and it is a very attractive position for a prospective new pastor. This is especially true because of how well you take care of your pastor. It will be a privilege for someone else to feed you with God’s word, shepherd and pray - and I think there are many areas where someone else may be better fitted to take the church forward.