Around 200 people gathered in The Priory School, Hitchin as friends of the family and former church members joined the 20 or so existing members. Ashkan Sarmadi, current pastor of Derby Road Baptist Church, Watford spoke warmly of Tom’s previous ministry. Richard Lambert, Elder, explained the challenges of their three-year search for a pastor, mentioning in particular a ‘somewhat sombre’ evening gathering of church officers when they seemed to be out of options. In the providence of God, a few days later a phone call suggesting Tom for consideration was received.