Church of Christ the King gathers to say goodbye to two stars

Tomorrow night people are gathering at Clarendon Villas, Hove, the original site of Church of Christ the King and now one of its Sunday campuses to say “Goodbye” to two of its outstanding members.

Nigel Ring, who joined me in Brighton at the birth of the church, was also my Newfrontiers administrator for some 30 years and is a man of rare qualities.  I first met him and Janita when I began to attend a regular meeting in their home in Scaynes Hill, Mid Sussex, from which gradually emerged a flourishing house church which ultimately became the very significant The King’s Church Mid-Sussex, now led by Jim Partridge. This was the first church started beyond my home base and I have always regarded as the beginning of Newfrontiers.

Nigel is loved, honoured and respected not only at CCK, but throughout the Newfrontiers world and beyond, having been at the centre of so much of our life together, first in our Newfrontiers team, at the Downs Bible week, then hosting the John Wimber conferences in Brighton, then Stoneleigh, then Together on a Mission conferences at the Brighton centre and indeed all that we have done together over these years.

He has been particularly appreciated not only in his phenomenal administrative skills, but also for his activity in serving the poor in many nations.  His website Feeding 5000 is no picnic has also proved so helpful to many.

He has functioned as both an Elder and a Trustee at CCK, where he and Janita will be sorely missed.

For me he has not only been a remarkable administrator but also a dear friend to whom I am enormously indebted for years of loyalty, love, companionship and detailed practical help.  Newfrontiers would never have enjoyed the blessing it has experienced without the extraordinary contribution that he has made and my own personal life has been so enriched and strengthened by his consistent companionship.

Christianity/Renewal Magazine once aimed at acknowledging this on their front cover.  Their article inside quotes me as saying “It is hard for me to imagine life without Nigel.  I can’t thank God enough for giving him to me.  His administrative skills are mingled with an incredible serving heart and a personal loyalty and integrity before God that makes it hard to put a value on all he has meant to me over these 25 years.  He has a phenomenal capacity for work and seems to find no challenge insurmountable”.

Now Nigel and Janita move to Bath where they will be near their daughter Becki, her husband, Steve and their granddaughter, Ella.  They will be welcome members of

Living Hope Church, which is part of the Regions Beyond sphere of the Newfrontiers family led by Steve Oliver, a dear friend of Nigel’s whose active concern for the poor, reflects Nigel’s and where I am sure his life will continue to count powerfully for God.