Licensing of Craig Hunt as Vicar of St Mary’s Arnold
It was a joyful afternoon in Arnold on Sunday as the Revd Craig Hunt was licensed by Bishop Andy as Vicar of the Benefice of Arnold. The church was packed out as family, friends and the congregation of St Mary’s came to support Craig as he steps into this new role.
It was a service full of praise and thanksgiving for God’s goodness, as the church begins a new season after a significant period of vacancy. This was reflected in the joyful worship, including ‘God is Good’, with actions!
Bishop Andy preached from the readings Ephesians 4:7-16 and Luke 15:11-32, and encouraged St Mary’s to be a church that grows, matures and multiplies. Bishop Andy also encouraged each person to be willing to play their part in the work of God, reflecting this as a big part of Craig’s work over the past 6 years as Vocations Adviser and Diocesan Director of Ordinands for the diocese.
Craig was also welcomed by Michael Payne (Labour MP for Gedling) and Mark Hopkins (Leader at Kings Church Arnold and representing Churches Together in Arnold).
Craig grew up in County Durham on the River Tees before heading to Durham University to study Geography. He became a Christian whilst there and started serving in the youth work at his church. When he graduated, he did an internship for a church in Peckham, where he met his wife Becky. He trained for ordained ministry at St Mellitus Collegewhilst on placement in Earl’s Court. He was ordained in Canterbury and served as Curate and Associate Vicar at St Mary Bredin church, where he played a role in growing the student and young adult ministries of the church and establishing healthy discipleship pathways. Craig has been the Diocesan Director of Ordinands since 2019 working to foster and discern vocations across the diocese. He loves good food, football and Formula 1. Becky and Craig have three children.
We delighted for Craig and for the community of Arnold, as they begin this new phase of ministry together. Please join us in praying for Craig and his family as they settles in to the role and for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit that will bring an overflow of God’s blessing to these churches and communities.
