A Brecon church will reach the end of its 18-month search for a new Minister next month.
On Saturday, September 2 Kensington Baptist Church will mark the start of an exciting new chapter, as it welcome Rev Emma Franks as its new full-time Minister.
Some may know her as Emma Mohr, but her marriage to Steve on August 12 marked a change of name, and her new position at Kensington Baptist marks a change of Job - it’s been a busy time!
Emma had the privilege of growing up in an active and serving Christian household. Family life revolved around a faith ethos and Sunday worship (morning service, afternoon Sunday school and evening service) were family times.
"There was never a time when I felt I didn’t know God, nor understand what Jesus had done for me, but in 1993 two particular ‘experiences’ of the Holy Spirit changed my life,” she explained. “The first was during a youth group when the leader spoke the words of Revelation 3:20 ‘I stand at the door of your heart and knock’. I had a very tangible sense of Jesus knocking but I did not know ---how to let him in. It was my Dad who, later that night, simply said, talk to Him and say yes!
“The second was whilst on a pilgrimage to Israel. It was an amazing time. but during a trip to the Upper Room, communion was ‘celebrated’. Having been brought up in the tradition that you don’t take communion until you’ve been baptised by full immersion I refrained from eating the bread and drinking the wine. My heart broke as I felt so dishonouring to Jesus, as if I was denying Him my true feelings.
“On return home I began Baptismal classes and was baptised in September 1983. It has been a rollercoaster of faith adventures ever since!"
Emma's journey into Baptist ministry began in 2000 while working in London. In 2001 she started studying at Bristol Baptist College on the Youth and Community and Applied Theology degree course and began her placement working alongside Rev Marc Owen at Milton Baptist Church, Weston-super-Mare. Upon completion of the degree she continued at Milton and became a Fully Accredited Youth Specialist in 2008.
2010 saw a change in direction when she was called to be the full-time sole pastoral minister of Richmond Road Baptist, Pontnewydd. She embarked on a Postgraduate certificate in theology at Cardiff Baptist College and continued as full-time minister of RRBC until July 2019 when she was called into part time Regional Ministry and part time ministry at RRBC.
In September 2021 she became full-time Regional Minister. Sadly Emma came out of formal, Baptist ministry in July 2022 but the call of God on her life never left. After a year working in a primary school with Year 4 children she has responded to God's call to Kensington Baptist and is stepping out in faith to see where He will lead pastor and people together.
On Saturday, September 2 Emma, Stephen and her three children, Sophie, Isaac and Elijah will be at Kensington Baptist Church at 2pm for her Induction, with her first service as Minister the following day.
As well as her faith Emma has many passions including music, walking, reading, swimming, spending time with friends and family and has recently discovered a joy of ice skating.
You can expect to see her out and about in Brecon getting to know the local community, and users of Kensington during the day will find her in and around the Church, chatting and getting to know the buildings users.