Tribute to Church Army Evangelist's 50 Years of Ministry

Fifty years of devoted Christian service as a Church Army Evangelist were recognised in St John the Baptist Church, Beckford, on Sunday (30 July). A packed congregation had gathered for the Service of Thanksgiving for Captain Dennis Oxley's half century not out of ministry with Church Army.

When Captain Oxley retired in March 1993 aged 65 and wished to continue his evangelistic ministry in some way, an opening was negotiated for him to serve the multi-church benefice of Overbury with Teddington, Alstone and Little Washbourne with Beckford and Ashton-under-Hill. Since then, he has become not only a well-loved visitor to people's homes and a forthright but sensitive preacher and leader of worship in each of the five churches, but also an invaluable member of the ministry team.

The Vicar, the Rev Ivan Butcher, returned from his holiday in Pembrokeshire to be part of the celebrations, and paid tribute to Captain Oxley's dedication in "giving glory to God." He announced that as a mark of real appreciation for his ministry, the combined churches had agreed to assist in the training costs of a student in Church Army's Wilson Carlile College of Evangelism in Sheffield. Details had not quite been finalised. He also presented Dennis with a framed commemorative inscription.

After completing National Service in 1948, Captain Oxley spent two years training before being Commissioned in Church Army. During his pre-retirement ministry, he served on Mission Caravans, led Faith Sharing teams, worked in parishes and homeless people hostels, and helped train Church Army Evangelists in New Zealand, Nairobi and London 

For further information contact Captain Les Tennant on 01235 531623 or Captain Dennis Oxley on 01242 620435.