Former farmer and missionary elected new head of church

After its first tied vote in 12 years, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has elected a former farmer and missionary as its new moderator.

Rev Richard Kerr, who has been minister of Templepatrick Presbyterian Church for two decades, will officially assume the role of moderator at the Church's General Assembly in June.

Accepting the new position, Rev Kerr acknowledged "the safeguarding (issues) that came to light last year" and vowed to "build on the contrition already expressed in December".

He will be the 26th moderator to come from a County Antrim congregation and the 180th person to hold PCI's highest office since the establishment of the Church in 1840.

Rev Kerr will replace Rt Rev Dr Richard Murray who stepped into the role as moderator last year following "serious and significant failings" in safeguarding in the church.

In November Rev Trevor Gribben stepped down from the role of moderator saying "people have been placed at risk" due to the failings.

In the PCI's annual election on Tuesday evening, Rev Kerr narrowly defeated Rev Ker Graham of Clarkesbridge and First Newtownhamilton Presbyterian Church, when a second round of voting was required to settle an initial tie.

This was the first time that a second round of voting had taken place since 2014.

Speaking about his election, Mr Kerr, who has been minister of Templepatrick for the past 20 years, said: "I feel deeply humbled, and I'm very conscious that I cannot do this by myself, or in my own strength.

"I pray that God's Spirit will grant me the wisdom and guidance that I will need to reflect His mission to the Church, wider society and our global community."

Rev Kerr said he was "conscious of the significant central church failings in safeguarding that came to light last year, and my heart goes out to those who have been hurt by our failure".

Reiterating the apology made by Rev Dr Richard Murray at December's Special General Assembly, he said: "I want to do what I can to build on the contrition already expressed in December, seek to ensure that we learn from and address our failings, and work with all involved to rebuild trust that has been broken."

A 60-year-old grandfather of four, Rev Kerr served as a mission worker in Malawi for over a decade.

"I spent 11 years in the northern part of the country, firstly as a short-term volunteer and another ten years, together with my wife Brenda, as missionaries. It was a wonderfully fulfilling time... working to make a difference in rural communities who lived around the poverty line."

It was also during his time in Malawi that he studied remotely for an MSc in Agricultural Development from the University of London, which he was awarded in 1998.

"It was a great way to study, with lots of opportunities to reflect on theory and practice".

Speaking about his journey into the ordained ministry, the moderator designate - as he will be known until he is officially installed in June - said he had always seen service as being part of his calling.

"I had served in various capacities in church through the years, not least in Malawi where I was an elder with the Church of Central Africa, Synod of Livingstonia, and had many opportunities to teach and preach. It was not however, until a number of people I respected suggested I might consider ordained ministry, that I took the idea seriously."

In 2005 he became minister of Templepatrick Presbyterian.