On Saturday 28th August a congregation of about 200 gathered to give thanks to God for the induction of Jonathan Chell as pastor at Salem Baptist Church in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire.  It was a great joy to see so many people gathering with us for this occasion with friends coming from Leeds, Stowmarket and many of the local churches. We were also glad to see many of the men who have preached for us during the last two years as we have prayed to the Lord to send us the man of his choosing. This occasion was an opportunity to give God thanks and praise for his answer to our prayers for a pastor.

The service was led by our Elder Ken Howard. It was good to hear how the Lord had made his will known to the church and to Jonathan for him to serve at Salem as pastor. Pastor Glyn Williams from Tinshill Free Church in Leeds told us how Jonathan had developed practical and spiritual gifts for going into the ministry. Jonathan expressed how he had been drawn to Salem and how the Lord's hand has been upon Jonathan and Yvonne every step in preparing the way.

Pastor Nigel Graham from the nearby Warboys Grace Baptist Church preached from Isaiah 6 v1-8. Every one of us has the same need for a grander and bigger and more glorious picture of God. Isaiah had a “God-quake” experiencing God.  We have a clearer way to know God by looking in to the Scriptures.  Jonathan was challenged to get a big vision of God; to spend much time in talking to and listening to his God.  The more he sees of God's glory the better able he will be able to speak of it.  All our churches need to see more of God. We need to have churches that are God-centred, looking on God's glory and God's honour.

We are grateful to the many friends who contributed to the tea which followed the service.  It was a great blessing to share in this time of fellowship at Ramsey Community Centre.

As we look forward expectantly to the future we seek your prayers that pastor and people at Salem would be used to bring praise and glory to God.