After serving the call of mission with Church Mission Society (CMS) Ireland for almost 32 years, Canon Cecil Wilson has announced his retirement with effect from 31 August 2007.

|PIC1|Under his leadership CMS Ireland pioneered a vision of 'partnership in mission' that today sees the Society and Canon Wilson himself held in the highest regard by the church in many parts of the world.

He started as Youth Secretary with CMS Ireland in 1975, subsequently serving as the Northern Regional Secretary, General Secretary and latterly, Director of Mission.

CMS said: "An innovative and creative leader, Cecil's desire to stretch the boundaries of contemporary mission thinking has ensured that CMS Ireland has been on a continuing journey in recent years and today strives to remain at the forefront of mission practice."

Ian Smith who succeeded Canon Wilson as Director of Mission in June 2007 also paid tribute to his predecessor: "In wishing him a long and fruitful retirement I am very conscious that I am following in the footsteps of a faithful servant of the Gospel who lives what he preaches, and who has been in for the long haul.

"He has never gone in for 'quick fix' solutions. His strategic vision has seen CMS Ireland come through times of difficulty as well as calm, and I am grateful for the solid foundations that he has built."

Speaking about his retirement, Canon Wilson said, "Having come to the end of my time with CMS Ireland I am delighted to leave it in such a healthy state and to see that mission is becoming centre stage in the life of our church. I am pleased to hand over to Ian Smith who I have known for many years and who I am confident will lead the Society in new ways, as it continues to seek God's direction."

Canon Wilson has been described as being "invaluable to the life of CMS Ireland over the past three decades", and he is recognised as "ensuring that the Society has remained a blessing to the Church in Ireland and around the World".

CMS Ireland is a Christian Mission and Development Agency, which has been working in partnership with the Church in Ireland and the Church overseas, for over 190 years.