Congregation bids farewell to minister

A CITY minister will bid farewell to his congregation on Sunday.

The Rev Jim Purves has been minister of Bristo Baptist Church in Queensferry Road for 17 years. But now he has been appointed to the newly-created post of mission and ministry adviser with the Baptist Union of Scotland.

He said it had been a privilege to be part of the Bristo congregation and his years as pastor would help him in his new role.

Bristo’s building is on the market as the church considers possible relocation, but it is not under pressure to sell.

Mr Purves said: “I am confident the congregation of Bristo can have a bright future.”

His son, David, will stay on at Bristo as student assistant pastor. The interim moderator, overseeing the church during its search for a new minister, will be Garry Ketchen, assistant pastor at Granton Baptist Church.