NEWS 2008

Roy Hamilton Inducted as Pastor

27th September 2008

When the church found itself without a minister in May 2004, the elders’ primary concern was not the search for a new minister, but for men who could immediately provide the Word of God for the church at Hebron. And we thank God profoundly that men came to our aid in a remarkable way, and continued to do so. Besides men from within the church, over 90 different men have ministered to us [see below]. We are unspeakably grateful to God for providing for us in this wonderful way. Being without a minister has obviously been abnormal, and we’ve had our difficulties. But the Lord, through these men, has blessed us with a ministry of great richness and variety, so that, looking back, these have been profitable years. In addition, very many of God’s people have continued to pray for us throughout this time, and we are deeply grateful for that too.

However, from the beginning several ministers had recommended men to us, so after 6 months or so, the elders thought it advisable to ‘sound out’ the members’ thinking. A few men stood out from the rest, and some preliminary investigations were made. But it was notable that some members had more than one man in mind, and quite a number thought it was still too early even to think of calling a minister. So it was obvious that there was no real ‘common mind’ at that point in time, no clear leading from God. We needed to wait - for God’s time and God’s man.

Over these years, there were several times when we thought that God might be pointing us to a particular man, when many of us thought, ‘Surely it must be this man!’ But each time it became clear that it wasn’t, and we had to remind ourselves that, as Samuel discovered, what impresses us is not necessarily what impresses God (1 Sam 16). Nonetheless, as recommendations continued to be made, several men were considered very seriously by the elders, with some being brought before the church. The elders dreaded the idea of ‘poaching’ a man from his church, and ideally wanted an unattached man; but we did seek to be genuinely open, and also made inquiries in every possible direction - throughout Wales and the UK, and even across the Atlantic. But though we continued to do what we could, God did not open up a way for us, and as time passed, we became increasingly conscious of the two opposite dangers we were exposed to: of wanting to grab the next available man, in case there wasn’t another one, or of settling down comfortably under visiting preachers.

But then something began to happen which seemed quite insignificant at first. On 28^th October 2007, Roy Hamilton and the elders were talking after the evening service, when Ron Burgum only half-seriously asked Roy if he’d consider coming to Hebron. Roy brushed this aside, and at least one of the elders added that of course we couldn’t possibly consider taking Roy away from his church (Calvary Evangelical Church, Penybryn). And that was the end of that, we thought, until further contacts led both parties to think that the matter need to be considered seriously; so over the next few months, as well as talking to Roy, the elders prayed about and discussed this a great deal, with Roy giving it much thought and prayer, and consulting individuals he regarded highly. The elders, remembering that Proverbs says that ‘There is safety in many counsellors’ (11.14, &c), during this period made a special point of asking visiting ministers what they thought we should be looking for most in a new minister. Both Roy and the elders were seeking to be sincerely open to God’s leading, whilst being very wary of making a mistake, and also concerned for the pastoral needs of Calvary if Roy did come to Hebron.

In early March, Roy believed it was necessary to bring the matter before the church at Hebron, at which point the elders met several times to discuss all the theological and practical matters that would need to be agreed with him before we could ask the church to give him a call. Right in the middle of these critical discussions, Ron Burgum suddenly became ill, and could not attend any further meetings - though he was kept informed as much as he could be, and was fully behind the remaining elders as they met with Roy to consider these matters. Eventually, when both parties were happy to proceed, the members of Hebron were told in early April that Roy was open to a call, with the three elders recommending that one be given, on the understanding that he would continue to give pastoral care to his former congregation in addition to joining the eldership at Hebron.

All this was a great surprise to the church, as there had been no prior indication to the members of what had been happening. But having had the unfolding developments explained, being reminded of the long-term appreciation of Roy’s character, aims and ministry, and being asked to think and pray seriously and urgently about the matter, the members were willing to vote on it. By mid April the church had agreed by a substantial majority to give Roy a call, and after considering this prayerfully, Roy informed the church in mid-May that he had accepted, and this was made public after Roy had told the church at Penybryn.

So on Saturday 27th September at 3pm, Roy was inducted as pastor and minister of the Word of God. The service was led by Rev David George (Maesycwmmer), with Revs Sulwyn Jones, Alan Watkins and Malcolm Jones contributing, and with Rev Tom McKendry (Co. Antrim) preaching.

God’s guidance of Hebron in this, especially in the final phase, was very much like that of individual Christians. We would all like to see His will for us ‘written in the sky’, or leaping out to us from the pages of Scripture – but that’s not generally how it is. Instead, it is usually a series of cautious, tentative steps on our part - sincerely seeking His will rather than our own, fearful of going our own way. That’s how it’s been with Hebron in this: we started not really knowing where we were going, and slowly found ourselves where we are today. But whilst the steps on the way were small, this is not a small matter. The great Puritan John Owen wrote, ‘There is a greater glory in giving a minister to a poor congregation, than there is in the instalment and enthroning of all the popes, and cardinals, and metropolitans, that ever were in the world: let their glory be what it will, Christ is upon his theatre of glory in the communication of this office and these officers.’ (Works 9:439, cited Banner of Truth magagzine 539-40, p44) So, looking back over these last few months in particular, God’s leading is now clear to see, so that the church here is able to say, must say, and gladly does say, ‘This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.’ (Ps 118.23) 

As a church we wish to place on record our deep gratitude to God for providing us with a rich and varied ministry during the period when we were without a minister of our own. We also wish to thank the men who ministered to us, most more than once and some many times. They are listed here in approximate chronological order of the first time of ministering to us:

Stephen Jarvis, Alan Watkins, Evan Richards, Tim Wells, David George, Ron Clarke, Washington Were, Roy Hamilton, Gary McKee, Malcolm Jones, Jeremy Bailey, Sulwyn Jones, Stephen Darby, Jeff Gilbert, Vincent Tracy, Tom McKendry, David Jones, Owen Griffiths, Andy Christofides, Gwynn Williams, John Legg, Owen Blackwood, Noel Gibbard, Dennis Jenkins, Andrew Wigham, Alun Higham, Neville Rees, Derek Rhapps, Irfon Hughes, David Carmichael, David Finnie, John Cook, Russell Williams, Neil Evans, Paul Crowe, Gwilym Roberts, Ifan Mason Davies, John Woolley, John Palmer, Bill Lollar, Alun McNabb, Peter Reynolds, Oliver Gross, John Hall, Alan Levy, Yona Mwampulo, Richard Wigham, Philip Eveson, Paul Whiteley, Gareth Edwards, Graham Harrison, Chris Rees, Owen Jones, Neil Pfeiffer, John Mainwaring, Courtenay Harris, David Carey-Jones, Stuart Dainty, Gwyn Davies, D Ralph Davis, Steve Owens, Derek Swann, Tim Curnow, Joel Beeke, Peter Milsom, Phil Heaps, Steffan Jones, Bruce Powell, Eryl Davies, Andrew Holland, Edmund Owen, Geraint Richards, David Levy, Adrian Brake, Mike Leaves, Peter Brake, David Lewis, Dafydd Morris, Wynford Thomas, Iain D Campbell, Mark Barnes, James Allan, Iwan Rhys Jones, Lewis Roderick, Tim Howell, Wyn Hughes, David Kingdon, Geoff Thomas, Stephen Clark, Geraint Lloyd, Andrew Norbury, Andrew Davies, Ian Parry, Gordon MacDonald

Funeral of Ron Burgum

29th August 2008

Our dear brother, friend, and fellow-labourer in the Saviour's cause, Ron Burgum, was taken into the immediate presence of the Lord on 21st August 2008.

Just a few months earlier he was suddenly taken ill and diagnosed with a brain tumour, and despite undergoing a course of radiotherapy, it was clearly the Lord's will to take him home after enabling him to bear peacefully the difficulties of his illness with confidence in the saving grace of God. Our loss is very great, but Ron's gain is immeasurable, for he has now passed through the river and entered the Celestial City where his and our Saviour reigns in glory and holy joy with the spirits of just men made perfect - 'So he passed over, and the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.' (The Pilgrim's Progress).

The funeral took place at 11.30 on Friday 29th August at Hebron, with Rev Roy Hamilton officiating and Rev David Jones (see below) reminding the congregation of Ron's place in the church since the 1960s, and then at Pant cemetery with Rev Malcolm Jones (Maesycwwmmer) officiating.

A tribute to Ron Burgum
Rev David Jones, Calvary Evangelical Church, Rhymney

Ron Burgum’s sudden illness last Easter was a devastating shock to all of us who knew him. During these months words that have often come to mind are those of a man called Simeon, who was present in the temple at Jerusalem when the child Jesus was brought there by His parents ‘Now let your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation’

Above all else Ron was a Christian. He became a believer early in his life and from that point on he always retained a deep sense of his sin and his need of a Saviour. He would have confessed with John Newton when he was dying, ‘I am a great sinner but Christ is a great Saviour’ 
 

I first met him in 1948 when we were both in hospital at the same time. Sulwyn first met him in 1964 when he became minister of the church. From 1970 onwards Sulwyn, Ron and I worked very closely in leadership at Hebron. One of Ron’s favourite verses was an excellent description of our relationship for over 30 years: Standing fast in one spirit, with one mind striving shoulder to shoulder for the faith of the Gospel (Philippians 1.27b). Sulwyn is deeply saddened that he cannot be with Eirwen, the family and the church today. (Ron’s fault – he put him onto the idea of going to Canada on holiday!) 

It is often charged against Christians that they are hypocrites. None of us can honestly say that of Ron. What you saw is what he was. You knew him, as Sulwyn, Eric, Phillip and I did – as a faithful servant of Jesus Christ.

1. Ron was faithful as a member, elder and caretaker of this church. He loved singing hymns and with his lovely tenor voice acted as a precentor in the church over many years. Attendance at the means of grace was never an option for him. It was a great joy to him that arrangements for settling a new minister at Hebron had been fruitful and that Mr. Roy Hamilton would be taking up the pastorate in September.

2. He was faithful in caring for the sick and the elderly – locally and farther afield. In many ways he was a model of what such visits should be. A short visit, kindly and warm, a word to the point and usually a short reading of the Bible and prayer. He seemed to bring something of God with Him and people felt better for his coming. Usually late on Friday and Sunday evenings he visited the sick in hospital. On the Sunday night also he regularly had a short service with housebound people like Alma, Jen and more recently Eunice.

3. Above all Ron was a faithful witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether he knew you as a neighbour, friend or acquaintance, you knew he was interested in you, and really believed that you were in terrible danger if you did not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. He just wanted you to have what he had – a real relationship with the Son of God, to know in Him your sins could be forgiven, that death, judgement and eternity are real. When he was suddenly struck down last Easter, his chief concern was that the church must share this good news of Jesus Christ with you – he was particularly concerned for those living in the Caeharris/Dowlais Top area.

As sure as I could be of anything, I know that Ron would expect me to say to you today, Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Psalm 107 verse 30 says: Then they were glad (following the battle through the storm) because they had quiet and he brought them to their desired haven
The apostle Paul used the word ‘depart’ or ‘departure’ when he spoke of his approaching death. One of the meanings of the word in the original language was to loosen a ship and set sail. To depart means to weigh anchor, loosen the ropes, set the sail. Death for the Christian is likened to setting sail for the final destination which is the haven and harbour of peace. The picture is of a sailing ship spreading her sails as she sets sail for the ocean. You watch the ship until it seems like a speck on the horizon and then she’s gone. But has she gone? Another voice on a distant shore shouts ‘She’s here’.  Death for the Christian is similar. He is certain that when he is ‘absent from the body’ he is immediately ‘present with the Lord’. 

< News 2007 | News Home | News 2009 >