|PIC1|A thanksgiving service was held on 2 November to celebrate the life of Sheena Gillies, who died suddenly on 16 October 2009.

Representatives of many Christian organisations and churches gathered at All Souls Church, Langham Place, with Sheena’s three sisters and other family and friends, to give thanks for her life and many years of service. Tributes were shared reflecting the breadth of her ministry.

Sheena’s interest in mission began in her early family and church life and this led her to study at All Nation’s Christian College and then to UCCF in Scotland as a full time staff worker.

She went on to serve as a teacher and trainer at Capernwray Bible School in Lancashire, at London Bible College (now London School of Theology) as Director of Training, and at All Souls Church, Langham Place where she worked as a Senior Associate Minister for eleven years. She also taught at events and conferences including Spring Harvest, Word Alive and New Horizon.

Sheena’s pastoral skills were greatly appreciated at All Souls where she had significant involvement in developing the pastoral team.

She continued her involvement with mission, notably in her responsibility for the care and support of the many mission partners sent out by All Souls Church. She served on committees and councils for OMF, Latin Link, and was closely involved with Tearfund and Global Connections.

After All Souls, Sheena joined the staff teams of Duke Street Baptist Church and then St James, Clerkenwell. Most recently, she served with SIM – in counselling ministry in Thailand in 2008, and since April 2009 on the SIM-UK team as Director for Missionary Development and Care.

Sheena’s wisdom will be greatly missed as a Board member with Evangelical Alliance, and particularly within SIM and her church, All Souls.

Richard Bewes, former Rector of All Souls, preached on the final verses of Isaiah 40 at the thanksgiving service, speaking of Sheena’s life as an example of someone who remained a student, and servant, and was both vigilant and valiant throughout her ministry.

Steve Clifford, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, said: “Sheena was a wonderful role model of a female Christian leader. Her death is a huge loss to the evangelical world.”