Norfolk pastor marks 60 years' Christian ministry
Pioneering Norfolk Christian leader John Betts, marks a remarkable 60 years in ministry this autumn and his leadership has been far-reaching, impacting many different areas of the Christian community.
John arrived in Norwich in July 1969, having been a Baptist minister for some four years. He had completed a course at the London Bible College and was ordained in the autumn of 1965.
At the end of his ministry at the then Silver Road Baptist Church, John was one of a group of believers who began to meet as a small house church. This was in the early days of the charismatic renewal.
The group grew over the years and became a flourishing church fellowship known as Norwich Christian Fellowship. The church became affiliated to the Harvestime Apostolic Ministries. John became a member of the leadership team and was involved in the Bible weeks of those years, also pioneering and ministering to churches in Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.
At the end of that period John’s focus became centred upon Norwich. He was, together with others, involved in establishing Transforming Norwich (the former Churches Together in Greater Norwich and now called Connect Norwich).
As the chair of the team during those years he was responsible for pioneering several different ministries in the city. These included Street Pastors, Norwich Foodbank and Celebrate Norwich and Norfolk, the latter bringing together churches and ministries from across the city and county in an annual exhibition at the Forum, demonstrating the life and activity of the churches 24/7 throughout the year.
There was also a period of years in which John was involved in ministry in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Austria and southern Ireland. Together with Doreen, his wife of 55 years (sadly Doreen died four years ago) they spent months at a time in southern Africa preaching in churches, training leaders and experiencing many adventures.
John, now aged 88, is still active in ministry, as an elder in the Christian Fellowship Norwich where he is a frequent preacher and also as the leader of City Ministries a ministry which brings together churches and ministries for fellowship, prayer and corporate ministry.
Asked “What have you learned as you look back over the years” John said: “Above all the faithfulness of the Lord who called me to the ministry and whom I have had the privilege to serve over these many years. Through the highs and lows of my walk with the Lord, the success and failures He has kept me. Against all odds when at times all seemed lost He was there to save and keep, provide and sustain.”
Looking forward, John said: "My hope and prayer for the work of the Lord in Norwich would be that we will see a renewal of vital faith and unity amongst the churches and the advancement of the Kingdom of God leading to the churches being once again a major influence within the city."
John intends to celebrate his 60th anniversary with a Christian Leadership Conference at New Hope Christian Centre on Saturday 8th November 8.
More information and booking at cityministriesadmn@gmail.com or visit www.newhopechristiancentre.co.uk/cityministries
Pictured above is John Betts in the Forum during a Celebrate Norwich & Norfolk event in 2015.