Motorbiking reverend rolls into service (From Sutton Guardian)

Cheam's motorbiking reverend rolls into service

8:10am Saturday 9th June 2012 in News By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

A motor biking minister revved into service last week.

Reverend Philip Gray, MBE, became the new minister at St Andrews United Reformed Church in Cheam at a special induction service on Saturday, June 2.

Rev Gray has a passion for motorbikes, he collects them, rides them and will now be seen riding his BMW in Cheam after moving down from Newcastle.

Rev Gray was brought up in Manchester, worked as an engineer and later as a senior instructor in the RAF and became a full-time minister in 1994.

He has been involved in social projects such as the Scottish Council on Alcoholism, worked with youngsters at risk in Nottinghamshire and he was awarded the MBE for his work in Kenya helping to support street children.

He said: "Throughout my life I have always been an advocate of practical ministry and theology by being Christ to my neighbour."

He considers himself an "engineer theologian" - someone who believes in the practical outworking of the Bible in a middle of the road manner.

His first service immediately demonstrated his relaxed and friendly style.