At our Special Members Meeting on Zoom on Wednesday 23rd September we had an encouraging positive vote to invite Rev Andy Pitt to be our new Pastor. Andy received the invitation gladly and has accepted the call. He is looking forward to starting his ministry in Emmanuel on 9th November, God willing. In his letter to the church Andy wrote “Both Viv and I are so thankful to the Lord for calling us to Emmanuel and for confirming this call in the hearts of the members. We are humbled to serve the Lord and His people and pray that together we will grow in His grace. Please be assured of our continuing prayers for you all in these uncertain days.”

Andy is originally from Stroud, Gloucestershire where he was converted as a child. He met his wife Viv whilst they were serving on an EMW Camp. They lived in Skewen near Neath and worshipped at Lonlas Gospel Mission where Jim Webber was the pastor. Andy experienced a call to the ministry there but waited for the elders to say something to him about it. The elders also felt that Andy could be called to the ministry but were also waiting for him to say something! Eventually he was called to be the minister at Park Baptist Church in Merthyr Tydfil in 2002. The Park elders described his period there as ‘18 wonderful years’. They have seen incredible change and growth in the church. They are very sorry to see him go but also believe that God is calling him to move on. He trained up a young man who was converted during his time there and will be succeeding him as pastor of the church.

Andy is involved in a number of other ministries. He heads up the EMW Camps work (which also makes him a trustee and member of the EMW Management board). He has lead prayer meetings and spoken at the Aber conference, the Bala Ministers conference, the EMW Church Leaders day and is a regional contact for the Titus Fellowship which looks to support men in pastoral ministry. Andy has sent young men he has trained to various churches, to enable their minister’s to have a sabbatical break. He has also provided pastoral support to our brother John Funnell in Abersychan. Andy is also a trustee of the Wales Leadership Forum that organises the Equip Conference.

Andy has been very active in his local community during his time in Merthyr and has seen the Lord work in the lives of many. He is passionate about Jesus and sharing the Gospel in a variety of ways. We pray that we will know God’s blessing as we move forward together.