Pastor Peter Lillystone retires 
The 29^th September will be my last Sunday as Pastor of Benfleet Baptist church. Due to health concerns and other issues, I have decided to retire from full time ministry at the age of 65. It’s amazing that 45 years ago this month, I began studies at Lebanon Missionary Bible College in Berwick upon Tweed. I was 20 years old and a newly qualified Mechanical Engineering Draughtsman. For 4 years I had been drawing plans for other people to follow but now, I was following God’s plan for my life.

In 1979, I had no idea of where the Lord would lead me in His service. Over the years I have had to learn that God knows best. His plans are good, perfect and acceptable. Time at Bible College, Birmingham City Mission, with WEC in France, Senegal and the U.K was followed by ministry in four U.K. churches in Norwich, London and Essex.

On my final day of ministry as a Pastor, I was thrilled that I could spend some time sharing with school children. Over the years I have spoken to thousands of children and taken hundreds of school assemblies and RE lessons. Children are open and receptive to listen to stories from the Bible. Many seeds have been sown and only God knows what harvest has been reaped.

We say ‘Goodbye’ to people who have become our friends over the past two years.  ‘Thank you’ for the love, help, support and encouragement you have given to us. We leave with mixed feelings; Praise for all that God has done in us and through us and sadness that we were not able to do more in the church. We want to assure you of our continued prayers. Please keep in touch. Peter & Rhoda Lillystone