In Memoriam | 43
The call to be Vicar of St John ’ s , Newland , was an answer to prayer . Melvin and Heather had long prayed for the city of Hull , concerned that so few had the opportunity to hear the gospel . From 1994 , they laboured to see the church grow , and , in the final decade , more than 500 were attending each Sunday . God seemed to bless Melvin ’ s approach , which was down to earth , and his determination to treat all people as valued in God ’ s sight . He challenged people with the difficult teachings of Jesus in a context of grace . God used it to turn around many people ’ s lives .
By 2000 , Tinker came to the view that the Church of England was not going to be a secure place in years to come for a conservative ministry . So , he led his congregation to secede . They became a network of growing churches outside the Church . St John ’ s remains the largest church yet to depart the C of E in light of the sexuality and cultural battles .
Tinker died , aged 66 , of cancer , on 23 November . He is survived by Heather and three sons : Christopher , Michael , and Philip .
If you would like us to commemorate a former Keelite in a future Forever Keele issue , please get in touch : alumni . hq @ keele . ac . uk