We are sad to report the death of one of our students, Stephen Doggett, on Saturday night 7 August.
Stephen was a very gifted and godly student, who came to Seminary in September 2020 after a career in the City. He came to faith while at University, through the ministry of St Helens, Bishopsgate. It was also here that he met his wife Lorraine, but after their marriage they decided that they could be of greater service in a smaller church. They moved to Stanmore Chapel where Stephen was later appointed to the eldership. Stephen had a burden for full-time ministry, but waited for the Lord to open the door. Two years ago he was found to have a rare form of cancer. Initial treatment was successful, but Stephen understood that now was the time to respond to the call to ministry.
Stephen’s desire was simply to serve a congregation of God’s people as pastor. Sadly, that ambition would not be realised as the cancer returned within a few weeks of him starting the Seminary course. Nevertheless, he made a considerable impact on our Seminary family in the time he was here. He continued to engage with the course as much as his health would allow. He continued to serve the church as he was able, and was taking a Lord’s Supper service less than a week before his death. He was a humble and gracious brother whose fellowship we greatly appreciated. Most of all we were struck by his resignation to the Lord’s purposes and his quiet and confident resurrection hope.
We rejoice that his faith is now sight, and he is with the Lord he loves. Yet we grieve our loss, and remember in particular his widow Lorraine and their three boys.
