Mike Edwards became the part-time Pastor in 1982, while working for Barclays bank, he then became the full-time Pastor in 1988. Ruth has been a Civil Servant all her working life.

They have been married since 1972 and have two adult children; 1 son presently living in New Zealand and the other son living locally.

They both enjoy reading and socialising. Mike relaxes by working in the garden, while Ruth enjoys cooking.

Both are committed to the local church, which takes up all their time.

Mike's Ministry centres on God's Word; preaching, worship, evangelism and prayer. They both have a heart for revival in Wales.

Mike has a keen sense of humour!

Pastor's Message Summer 2011

(from Church magazine)

Recently, while I was pondering in my office, my thoughts went to those who once were on fire for God but somewhere on the journey of life have cooled off and we no longer see them.   Others are still running the Christian race with all the energy they have and are truly inspiring and encouraging.
 
On the 5th of June this year I’ve been Pastor here for 29 years of which 23 have been full-time.  It is a time of much reflection and assessment.  We all learn lessons from our mistakes and I’m no exception (I’m not saying which mistakes).  There have been times when I should have been more zealous and committed but by God’s grace I’m still running the race and there is a fire still burning in me.   There are many dreams and hopes yet to be fulfilled but I see there’s more time behind me now than in front of me, so I need to stoke the fire in me it’s so easy for the energy to evaporate these days.   We need to press on and press in.
 
The process involved in directing our lives is often slow, confusing and even painful.  Occasionally it seems we can’t go on and the easy option is to give up as some do and run away from it all - including God.
 
Jonah found it hard to walk God’s path and keep on track.  He was bigoted, stubborn, openly rebellious and spiritually insensitive.   Most prophets ran TO the Lord.   Jonah ran FROM the Lord.   Jonah didn’t want to do God’s work, he was as motivated as a hibernating tortoise.
 
Jonah went the wrong way - from God and God’s work.   He went west and God wanted him to go east.   It was only in catastrophe, in the digestive tract of the fish, he got his head together.   There in the mess, he started again.   Far from God but God didn’t let him go.   In the mess he yelled for mercy and help.   Jonah turned the corner.
 
Jonah had to admit where he was before he moved on.

Maybe these people who we don’t see in Christian circles anymore are like Jonah - running away from God for whatever reason.   Maybe some feel swallowed alive by circumstances, feeling oppressed, guilty, confused, over used, burned out and forgotten.   Maybe the Church has pushed them away.   Well, it’s time to say what God says "I will make up to you for the years that the locust has eaten".   He welcomes the prodigals back and rejoices over them.
 
God is a dab hand at making something useful and beautiful out of something tired, broken and confused.   Show God your hurts and let Him heal you.
 
We are all on the journey.  Join us at Bethel and run the race with us, we’ll encourage you to keep running.
 
I want to run the race until my last breath but sometimes I need that focus on God to be a bit more definite so let us spur one another on till we cross the finishing line.

Pastor

 

...previous Pastor's Messages...