Reverend Garner ‘a Godly character with a passionate love of the Lord Jesus Christ’ was born in England and was baptised into the Christian faith through his Methodist youth work.
A student at Wesley College he began his ministry at Plymouth Central Hall and by 1983 he became the minister of Elm Ridge Methodist Church in Darlington which underwent ‘a remarkable period of growth’.
In 1992 Reverend Garner assumed the role of Superintendent at Colwyn Bay & Llandudno Circuit and was also a minister at St John’s Llandudno (one of Britain’s largest congregations). During 2001 he was appointed as the Chair of the Bolton Rochdale District of the Methodist Church.
In the United Kingdom he was lauded by many for assuming the various roles described above.
Reverend Vernon Prowse describes Reverend Garner as: “A person who works extremely hard and has a strong sense of spirituality and devotional living. It is perhaps this area that most defines his ministry.” Reverend Dr Moyes believe Reverend Garner will take the work in Wesley Mission to ‘new heights.’
The Reverend Gerald Broadbent the Synod Secretary of the North Western Synod of The United Reformed Church express his sorrow for Reverend Garner departure but believe he has a greater calling saying: “We know that Keith’s special gifts as preacher and pastor to a large congregation will find a rich fulfilment in his new appointment.”
The Rev. David Deeks, General Secretary of The Methodist Church in Britain also express that he will be missed but positively added: “We are grateful for the years of dedicated and loving service he has given the Church here, and know that he will be a great asset to the work of the Wesley Mission in Sydney."
The service at 7pm will include: “Performances by the Wesley Rotuman Congregational Choir, leading Australian Christian songwriter Geoff Bullock, and dance by students from Wesley Institute.” Further greetings will also be delivered by Her Excellency Prof. Marie Bashir, AC, Governor of New South Wales and Mr Jim Mein, Moderator of the New South Wales Synod of the Uniting Church.
Wesley Mission the first Methodist Church established in Sydney at 1812 is one of Australia’s largest church-based charities delivering a diverse range of services: child and family services, aged care, community services, homeless persons’ services, disability services, Wesley Uniting Employment, research and advocacy, health and counselling services, Sydney and Sutherland Lifeline and 50 weekly church services. Wesley Mission directly assists more than 200,000 people each year.
Copies of the Rev Garner’s sermon will be available on the night and at www.wesleymission.org.au . A splitter box for media will be available in Wesley Theatre. A media area has also been allocated.
Interviews, media packs, photo disk and biographical details of the Rev Keith Garner can be arranged by contacting:
Graeme Cole
Public Affairs Manager, Wesley Mission
02 9263-5350 (B) 0408 470 722 (M)
Dinoo Kelleghan
Public Affairs Officer, Wesley Mission
02 9263-5545 (B) 0434 076 644 (M)