The Baptist Assembly has confirmed Rev Jonathan Edwards as the next Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) General Secretary, Friday 28th April 2006.

|PIC1|During the opening session of the annual gathering of the BUGB and BMS World Mission, the delegates overwhelmingly gave their support in voting Rev Edwards as the successor to Rev David Coffey.

The General Secretary is the highest representative of the Baptist Union in the UK, and Rev Edwards will take over from Rev Coffey, who is stepping down to fully focus on his position as the President of the Baptist World Alliance.

Mr Edwards (50) has served as a SWBA regional minister since 1998, and was appointed team leader in 2002. After studying law at St John’s College, Oxford, he trained for Baptist ministry at Regent’s Park College, Oxford. He served as a volunteer with the Church Missionary Society in Kerala, South India from 1980-82, and had pastorates in Bury St Edmunds and Orpington before moving to the South West.

After nominating Rev Edwards for the position of General Secretary last month, Rev Lyn Green, the Moderator of the nominating group described Edwards to the Council as “a man who is wholeheartedly committed to Jesus Christ, has a passion for God’s mission to humanity and firmly believes that Baptists have a unique contribution to make to that.”

|TOP|Rev Edwards chose to testify his predecessor, David Coffey, upon accepting his election: “David Coffey has been a wonderful servant of the Lord amongst us. To us as a Baptist family he has been a courageous, confident and winsome leader and we will always thank God for him. Personally, he has been a true friend and encourager and especially through the past nine years.”

He continued by saying, “In this moment I am utterly peaceful in the knowledge that I am here simply because of a call of God.

“In calling me to be General Secretary you have called someone who is passionate about prayer, passionate about the Gospel and passionate about working in gracious partnership.”

It is scheduled for Rev Edwards to now take up his new post in September. The Baptist Assembly will continue throughout the weekend, running from the 28-30th April 2006 in Brighton, England. During which time delegates will have the opportunity to say 'goodbye' to David Coffey during this, his last Assembly as General Secretary, by putting comments on a 'Prayer Wall' during the event and a special tribute has been organised at the closing celebration on Sunday evening.