Ministering in Cornwall and preaching in Peru – the life of one LLM

Local Leaders have always played a vital role in the life of the Church. This local leadership takes many forms, and, in this series, we will be meeting just some of the many different people sharing their gifts as Local Leaders in different ways.

In this article, Ian Thompson explains his pathway to becoming a Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) this month, October.

Fresh from becoming a Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) to lead worship in Liskeard, Ian is now off to preach in Peru for 10 days.

Christianity has been a real part of Ian’s life ever since he was given a copy of Nicky Cruz’s book Run Baby Run as a teenager.

“My parents were Christians and we went to a small mission church,” he said. “But I read Run Baby Run when I was 17, and I remember sitting up into the night reading this book and thinking ‘Wow, Christianity is true’.”

His introduction to faith was also thanks to a secondary school RE teacher in Redcar who ran a youth club nearby.

“I remember him explaining the cross,” Ian said. “He then invited me to help out with a youth group in another town – and helping meant I saw Christianity in action.”

He was also invited to tea at his RE teacher’s home.

He said: “My family was a bit dysfunctional with various problems and troubles, so it was wonderful to meet that family – I was seeing a Christian home in action – which greatly helped me as my faith developed.”

“…I read Run Baby Run when I was 17, and I remember sitting up into the night reading this book and thinking ‘Wow, Christianity is true’.”

Moving to Cambridge, Ian studied French and Spanish before becoming a teacher and securing his first job in a Shrewsbury school.

He taught in the week and then attended church on Sunday – which was where he preached for the first time.

After a few years, Ian secured a job at a Liskeard school in 1989 where he taught until early retirement in 2012.  He also sometimes preached on the weekends at Grace Community Church (GCC) at Morval, near Looe. Over time he served in all three of the Grace Community group of churches in Torpoint, Morval and Bodmin.

After retirement, he worked part-time as an administrator for the three GCC churches.

He also completed an MA in Contemporary Christian Leadership with Bridgend University in South Wales.

He attended Grace Community Church for 20 plus years and was an elder there for much of that time.

When the pastor moved on from the Grace Community church in Bodmin, Ian served as temporary pastor during the two-year transition period.

He said: “I love preaching, it is my thing.  It was a special privilege to be able to preach regularly during that transition.”

“I love preaching, it is my thing.”

After many years, Ian moved to St Martin’s Church in Liskeard, which was closer to home.

He wasn’t planning on continuing preaching in the UK, but the vicar at St Martin’s found out about his experience – and this discovery was the start of his journey to becoming a LLM.

Ian said: “I have enjoyed the experience of the LLM course, going to other churches on placement and talking to the vicar and others there. They were brilliant – really welcoming and encouraging.”

And now he is licensed, he plans to preach at St Martin’s when needed. He has also packed his bags with sermons, ready to travel to Peru next month and preach to Christians there. He finds this is a way of growing his faith.

“I am 68 years old and will go out to Peru each year for as long as I can.”

He says: “My first trip to Peru was in 2013 and I have been going nearly every autumn since.  I go for 10 days to preach, and I will be going again this November.

“I prepare sermons and then translate them into Spanish.

“Preaching in Peru is different to the UK because it is a different setting. There’s also a hunger to hear. I guess the fact we travel thousands of miles helps.  They receive the sermons with joy.

“I am 68 years old and will go out to Peru each year for as long as I can.

“I still feel that ‘wow!’ as I consider the gospel. God has enabled me thus far, and I want to continue as long as the Lord continues to give me the strength.”