The Revd Canon Captain Darren Thornton and the Revd Ian Dyble have been appointed to the Archbishops’ College of Evangelists as part of a national project to identify, equip and release 1,000 new evangelists in the Church of England by 2025.
The aim is to form a college of leaders in evangelism from across the country, who represent different traditions and networks within the church, who will raise up the next generation of evangelists.
Speaking about the appointments, the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher said:
“I am delighted that Darren Thornton and Ian Dyble have been appointed to the Archbishops’ College of Evangelists.
“These appointments recognise the gifts that God has given Darren and Ian to share the good news of the Gospel for the building up of the body of Christ.
“I pray that they will help to equip the Church of England to speak into the context of our day so that more people might meet the Risen Christ in their lives.”
Darren is Rector of St Giles Church in Norwich, as well as Chaplain to the University of East Anglia, Rural Dean of Norwich East, and a Church Army Convenor. He said:
“I am delighted to have been chosen to represent the Diocese on the Archbishops’ College of Evangelists.
“At the heart of a passionate commitment to mission is a calling to help people discover what it means to live life to the full and be the very best versions of themselves. That is the heart of God’s vision and Good news for our lives. I hope all Christians will seek to be bringers of that Good news.
“Currently within the Church there is a need and a new opportunity to ‘rediscover’ ways in which the Eucharist and the Sacraments of the Church can be missional. For Catholic Christians when we evangelise, what we’re trying to do is to bring people to Jesus in the Eucharist. “Do this in remembrance of me.”
“I hope my membership within the College will allow us not to forget that the Eucharist is the ultimate missional act… the way we mark God coming into the world.
“I look forward to working with Ian and the College in our common bond in which we seek to make Jesus known.”
Ian is Vicar of the Mitre benefice in Norwich and Diocesan Director of Church Revitalisation. He said:
“I am both honoured and surprised to find myself as part of the College of Evangelists.
“Whilst I am sure that there are many people far better at sharing their faith I am, I will, by God’s grace, do all I can to make Christ’s love known and encourage others in their evangelistic calling and gifting.”
