A NEW minister in the Pastorate of Revidge Fold and Trinity United Reformed Churches has been inducted at Revidge Fold Church, Blackburn.

The Rev Martin Smith has joined the ministerial team of the Rev Lena Talbot and the Rev Geoff Tolley.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen sent greetings from the local authority.

A large congregation was present for the ceremony, with music from both the church choir and the Revidge Fold Music Group.

Mr Smith became involved in the Christian faith whilst studying at Leeds University and, after venturing into both teaching and home improvements, finally returned to college to train for the United Reformed Church ministry.

There he met his wife Kirsty, also a recently-inducted minister in Bolton.

He has been a regular worshipper in Baptist, Church of England and Methodist Churches and, though not comfortable with ecumenism, is a believer in the togetherness of the church and wishes to make the Bible come alive. He locally put this into practice while a minister in Cheshire in various parishes.

In addition to this, he is a Christian Listening Tutor for the Acorn Christian Foundation.

In his spare time he enjoys photography, home brewing and gardening.