New Director of CMS Ireland

Friday February 23rd 2007

Ian Smith pictured with his wife Carol and CMS Ireland President Rev Prof RAB Mollan. CMS Ireland has announced the appointment of Ian Smith as its new Director of Mission.

Ian comes from working for CMS Britain where he has been based in York, heading a team of mission workers in both the north of England and Scotland.

Having travelled extensively across Africa, the Middle East and Pakistan, Ian has a good understanding of crossing cultural boundaries and the implications of this for mission in the 21st century.

A gifted evangelist and teacher, Ian has worked to commend the Gospel in many difficult and diverse situations. He is currently an elected member of the Church of England General Synod and serves on its Mission and Public Affairs Council.

Ian said: “I am honoured and humbled to be chosen to help steer CMS Ireland in its next phase. I shall want to build on the tremendous work of Cecil Wilson, my predecessor.”

For Ian’s wife, Carol, there is a real sense of home coming in that she was born into CMS Ireland – her father was Handley Vaughan, who at that time was Northern Secretary for CMS Ireland.

Ian is also a keen writer and photographer. He has written about the Middle East and is also the author of nine railway books.

Welcoming Ian to CMS Irealnd, Canon Cecil Wilson, outgoing Director of Mission, said: “I have known Ian for over 20 years and I do not know of anyone else better fitted to take on the daunting task of leading CMS Ireland into the next phase of its ministry and mission.”

Ian will take up his new role with CMS Ireland in June 2007.