Celebrating A Special Friend

These two pictures show Ray Brown - aka Rev Dr Raymond Brown. A Baptist minister and scholar, a pastor, preacher and writer, who became Principal of Spurgeon's College in London.

The photos show him in the 50s, when he began ministry, and then in his retirement. 

He became friends with my Dad, when they were accepted, on the same day, to become Baptist Ministers. I first heard Ray preaching when I was five, and still vividly remember what he said to the children then,
Ray was Bob's principal at College in the early 80s. He retired in 1986, the summer that Bob left College. I thank God for the privilege of knowing him and his family. He and his late wife Christine were wonderful people. Both incredibly clever, wise and gracious, generous and thoughtful, full of humour and humility. He died last month in his 90s. 

Today we will be joining many friends in Cambridge to celebrate that amazing, grace-filled life.  He had an impact on hundreds of people down the years. A man of faith, a disciple of Jesus, who spent his entire life sharing the good news of God's love. May he rest in peace, and rise in glory.  

Well done, good and faithful servant - enter into the joy of your Lord