The Rev John MacPherson has been ordained and inducted as Assistant Minister of St. Andrews Free Church, becoming the fourth generation of the MacPherson family to serve as a Free Church minister.
His ordination and induction took place at St Mark’s Parish Church in September. Both his father, Rev David MacPherson, and grandfather, Rev John MacPherson Sr., were present to share in the occasion. They remembered the first of the ‘four generations’, the Rev Duncan Leitch who served as Free Church minister in Aberdeen, Kingussie, and Dingwall.
John was also joined by the St Andrews church family and friends from Bon Accord Free Church (his former church) and Burghead Free Church (where he did a student placement).
The service was moderated by Rev Paul Clarke, Minister of St Andrews Free Church. He spoke on 2 Corinthians 4:5, on the message & manner of the minister. He also led the congregation through the formal proceedings.
Representing the Presbytery of Edinburgh and Perth, Rev Athole Rennie asked the questions of ordination and induction, after which John was duly set apart to the ministry of the gospel.
Following the formal acts, Rev David MacPherson, John’s father, encouraged John to faithful and joyful service in Christ’s strength. The charge to the congregation was delivered by Rev Hamish Sneddon, urging the people of St Andrews Free Church to support and uphold their new assistant in prayer and partnership.
Following the service, John says: “It’s been a real joy for Hilary and me to settle into full-time ministry in St Andrews. I love being able to give myself fully to what I’ve been called to: preaching God’s word, walking alongside people through their joys and struggles, and praying for them. As a church we’ve recently planted a second morning service because God has entrusted to us such encouraging growth, and my prayer is that He would fill both services with people growing in maturity and love for Christ. We long to see every believer presented approved on the last day, that’s our great desire.”
