Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev Julian Henderson, is heading to Africa next week to lead clergy training schools alongside his wife Heather.

The couple depart on August 10 and will travel first to our link Diocese of Free State in South Africa for a week of training there. Later they will head to Kenya for a similar week; with a further week’s holiday in between.

The planned training has been in the diary for some time now and speaking today Bishop Julian, the Bishop of Blackburn, said: “We are looking forward to travelling to Free State – it will be our second visit to our Link Diocese.

“Heather and I will be leading training sessions arising out of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians with the overarching theme of ‘Authentic Christian Ministry’.

“Paul received much criticism of his leadership and in his defence and rebuttal of those allegations, he outlines some of the key aspects of Christian Ministry that reveal it is genuine and authentic.

“We will repeat the same programme of talks at a teaching week in the Diocese of Voi in Kenya, at the invitation of Rt Rev Liverson Mng’onda.”

At both sets of talks the clergy attending will each be given a gift of an 'African Bible Commentary' book which has been signed with a personal inscription from Bishop Julian. 

Bishop Julian continued: “The Free State visit followed a conversation I had with the Bishop of the Free State Diocese, Rt Rev Dintoe Letloenyane; and planning was arranged by the Dean of the Cathedral of Bloemfontein, The Very Rev Lazarus Mohapi.

“The Kenyan part of the trip was arranged by Rev Jonathan Milton-Thompson of St Andrew’s, Livesey in Blackburn. Jonathan has been instrumental in arranging for clergy from Blackburn Diocese to share in this work for several years.”

Bishop Julian concluded saying: “We are looking forward to all these speaking engagements and we ask for people’s prayers for safe travel, good health and blessing on our times of ministry.”

Ronnie Semley
05/08/2019