CAPTION: The Rev'd Professor Gina Radford with Bishop Robert. Pictures by Nick Kendell
Former Deputy Chief Medical Officer brings skills to new parish role
The former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England has joined the Diocese of Exeter as the new Team Vicar in the Dart and Avon Mission Community.
The Rev’d Professor Gina Radford was installed by the Rt Rev’d Robert Atwell, Bishop of Exeter, in a special service at St Petroc’s Church, South Brent.
Originally from Surrey, Rev’d Prof Radford describes herself as a life-long Christian.
She heard about the vacant position in Devon from an old friend in Ashburton and that was “all it took”.
She believes skills from her previous life in medicine will be very useful in her new role and says even before she trained as a doctor, she felt a need and desire to do more of God’s work.
“Having spent a working-life helping others both physically and mentally, now is the time to minister to their spiritual needs.” She said.
On the subject of growing the rural church, Gina is upbeat and realistic. She knows that with so many demands on people’s time, and with society changing, getting people through the door on a Sunday morning is not easy.
Gina is a supporter of initiatives like Messy Church and the local Youth Bus, which does outreach in South Brent once a week.
As she starts her new role she is keen to make contact with as many people as possible, especially those who may never have been inside a church other than for weddings and funerals.
