Harry Sutton, 1922-2005

Pastor G.H. Sutton passed very peacefully into the presence of his beloved Lord Jesus on Tuesday morning June 7.

Uncle Harry! Where do you start to write to try and capture even a little of the essence of this very dear man? He was first and foremost God’s man. He passionately loved the Lord Jesus Christ. A young man, who became a pastor, was converted and nurtured under his ministry, once said to me: ‘I learned so much of God from just listening to Harry pray’.

He was born in Cheshire to godly parents, did his National Service and trained as a navigator in the Royal Air Force. He met my Aunty Joan (my mum’s sister) on a Cliff College Whit Monday day visit. He married Joan and they settled in a small rented house in Leeds. He became assistant minister at Ventnor Street and served there under the guidance of a faithful minister, Percy Hassam. But a very tiny work at Wigston, Leicester, also knew of the young Harry and broached the possibility of the Lord calling him to Wigston.

So Uncle Harry went from Leeds to a small black wooden hut — Bethel, Wigston — with a deep clear calling, a wife and two small children and no fixed salary. Truly they lived ‘by faith’ on just what God brought in — and God did just that! I can remember as a small child staying there in the summer holidays when there was not much food in the house. There was a rustling noise at the back door, and when Aunty Joan opened it there on the step was a huge, steaming meat and potato pie! In all his years of ministry he never owned his own house. As the church grew larger they faithfully cared for the pastoral family accordingly, and things became more ordered and easier than in the earlier years.

Pastoral gift

Despite always being incredibly busy about the Father’s business, he had a close and loving relationship with his family. He had a spontaneous and infectious sense of humour, loving to share jokes with you. He had a passionate love of Leicester City FC and Leicester Tigers and was often present shouting on the touchline supporting Bethel’s own football team in which his sons played.

As well as his preaching gift, he had a very great pastoral gift. In times of great grief, personal or family crisis, he was the one person that people wanted to get to. He had a ‘large heart’, full of the love of Christ for all, and the point which emerged repeatedly at the funeral service was his ability to give you his attention and true interest, making you feel very special, valuable and secure. There are people whose hope for help from God was greatly increased just knowing that Uncle Harry was praying for them and with them. There was nothing like that shining face with eyes twinkling greeting you with pleasure.

He had great faith and vision. His 40 years at Bethel, Wigston, saw many projects come to life in the power of the Spirit, including the growth of a large thriving local church from the four people in his first congregation; the founding of a daughter church, Little Hill, Wigston, about three miles away with its own brick building; camps for the handicapped; the building of Bethel flats for Christian senior citizens.

Privilege of preaching

The chief delight of his heart was preaching — his greatest felt privilege was having a pulpit from which he could declare fully and powerfully the wonderful gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was thrilled to bits to see young men from Bethel become preachers and pastors.

The loss of Joan was a blow on June 13 1989. After a very lovely holiday she was diagnosed with liver cancer and died within three weeks. He later married Marion and they had years of happy love and care together.

On a deeply personal note, Uncle Harry had become my ‘human father’ and ‘spiritual father’ almost overnight when my own father died tragically. It was Uncle Harry who, even in my grief, and following much rebellion, led me with great firmness and challenge to the cross of the Lord Jesus where I found mercy and peace. I loved what I saw of the Lord Jesus in him and now he sees that same Lord Jesus face to face for himself.

Obituary

Pastoral gift

Privilege of preaching

Margaret Williams

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