Farewell to Rev. Derek and Joanna Punchard

Today we say goodbye to Rev Derek and Mrs Joanna Punchard as they move from Northampton to Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire.

Derek and Joanna first came to Church on the Heath in the 2nd half of 2018 after an introduction from Rev Colin Pye, who was then one of the Regional Ministers for the Central Baptist Association. We were looking to strengthen the Baptist side of COTH, and in due course we appointed Derek as Honorary Associate Baptist Pastor.

Derek and Joanna served for many many years with BMS in Brazil and so brought much experience of church life and ministry to us, for which we are very grateful. They have both been wonderful examples that even in our senior years we can go to new places and new churches, and get involved and serve the Lord Jesus and His people.

We have valued Derek's Baptist background as we sold our previous buildings, Church and Manse, on Welland Way. We share his frustration that the redevelopment of St Augustine's hasn't progressed as quickly as we would have liked!

We wish them well and pray for God's blessing as they move to be nearer family in the North Midlands.