CHURCH members paid an emotional farewell to their minister who is leaving the Rossendale valley to preach the Christian message in one of the world's poorest countries where voodoo still exists.
The sight of starving children in rags on the streets of Haiti left a lasting impression on the Rev Philip Norris (pictured). So he decided to leave Edgeside Baptist Church and take his wife and two children to work on the Caribbean island.
Yesterday a farewell service was held at the church for Mr Norris, 36, who has been its minister for five years. "I will be working with nuns to help children with no parents, living in appalling conditions," he explained.
Mr Norris was chairman of the Parents in Pain group covering Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, helping families cope with drug abuse.
He was chairman of the Lancashire Drugs Action Team Parents Forum as well as serving on other committees and groups.
Mr Norris, who will be joined by his wife Alison and children Sarah, 10, and Matthew, eight, added: "The time has come to move on and there is a lot of work to be done in Haiti."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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