The Free Church has announced Lewis man Rev Angus MacRae to be its next moderator.
The minister of Dingwall and Strathpeffer Free Church succeeds Rev Derek Lamont, of St Columba’s in Edinburgh.
Angus MacRae has been a minister for 25 years.
Born in Glasgow in 1967 he was brought up in Laxdale, Lewis, and was educated at the Nicolson Institute, Edinburgh University and the Free Church of Scotland College.
He was ordained to the ministry at Kilwinning Free Church, Ayrshire, in 1992, moving to his present church in Dingwall in 2001.
Married to Ann, a speciality doctor caring for patients with addictions, the couple have three adult children.
Mr Macrae said: “It is a great honour and a privilege to be elected to serve as next Moderator of the Free Church General Assembly.
“I would welcome the prayers of the Christian family around the nation as I prepare for this responsibility.
“The Church faces many challenges in our secular era but I am thankful for God’s incredible kindness and faithfulness to the Free Church. This decade has seen vibrant growth and renewal in many local churches and the denomination as a whole is united and encouraged.
“I am thankful for a steady stream of new leaders in training. Our churches and Seminary are working together to meet the needs of existing churches and an exciting movement of new church plants around Scotland. The General Assembly is not just a talking shop. It is an opportunity for leaders to meet together in God’s presence.
“Our vision is to work together to bring the message of an unchanging gospel to all the people of our land. We do this individually, together in our local churches and in gospel partnership with all those who respect the authority of the Bible as God’s message for truth for every age.”
Angus MacRae is chair of the Board of Ministry, a group appointed by the General Assembly to arrange for training and pastoral care of candidates for the ministry.
He is interested in training the next generation of church leaders and in developing praise and worship that is rich in Bible content and focused on God. He supports international mission and has a particular interest in East Asia and the work of OMF International.
Lewis man selected as next Free Church moderator
5 Oct 2017
Rev Angus MacRae