The Revd Peter Lanigan: 1955-2015 

Teacher, lay preacher, musician and worship leader, Peter used his many gifts to demonstrate God’s love to others. In his final years, he led his church into an exciting community outreach ministry

Peter was born in Glasgow in 1955. He attended Yoker Primary School in the ’60s and later, Victoria Drive Secondary School. Peter became a Christian at the age of 11.

His older brother John took him to a Christian Youth club at a local Pentecostal church. He was baptised as a believer in Kilsyth in 1970. 

Sadly, Peter’s mother died when he was only 15 and his father died the following year. Of course this was devastating for Peter.   

At the time there was a possibility he might have to go into care but he received tremendous support from his church and so he was able to stay at home in Glasgow until he was old enough to go to University.

He studied at Glasgow University from 1972 to ’76 and gained an MA Honours Degree in English and History. He then went on to Jordanhill College of Education to train as an English and History teacher. He eventually worked as a Project Officer for the Scottish Further Education Unit. He was involved in Adult Literacy and Community Education supporting lecturers and community workers through project work, conferences, workshops and the use of technology in teaching. 

He continued to work in this field part-time even after he became a Baptist Minister.

Peter was also well educated theologically; he attended the International Christian College for a year in 2000 then the Open Theological College from 2001-6 and then the Scottish Baptist College from 2008-10. Peter was a faithful and active member of the Scottish Baptist Lay Preachers’ Association making a significant contribution over 25 years.

Peter’s church background was originally Pentecostal but he later attended Baptist Churches in Cumbernauld and Harestanes, Kirkintilloch, where he was a member and deacon. Peter met his wife Carol in 1993 through the Christian Friendship Fellowship. They were married in 1995 at Polmont Parish Church.

Peter and Carol moved to Falkirk from Cumbernauld in 2002 and began to attend Falkirk Baptist Church. They became members and both became heavily involved in the life and work of the church. Peter was on the worship team, sung and played guitar. He was involved in drama and evangelism. He was also a deacon, gave talks to the children’s group, was a homegroup leader and a faithful attender of the prayer meetings. Both he and Carol were much valued and much loved.

In 2010 Peter was ordained as a Baptist Minister and in 2011 he was called to Hugglescote Baptist Church, Leicestershire.

Peter and Carole had a very fruitful time at Hugglescote. Peter engaged in door-to-door visitation, took the local Primary School Assemblies and Open the Book Drama presentations.

He also enjoyed good relations with other ministers and local churches, working together on a number of community projects.

Under Peter’s Leadership the church bought a vacant shop in the town centre and opened it in 2014 as Oasis, a café and centre for local community outreach which included quiz nights, a women’s group, Messy Church and an after-school drop-in for young people. 

In February 2015, Peter was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, he passed away on Friday 17 April. Even to the end, he kept a positive attitude, retained a sense of humour and was witnessing to patients and nursing staff.

“Peter will be greatly missed by the fellowship at Hugglescote where he was minister after training through Scottish Baptist College,” said Revd Dianne Tidball, Regional Team Leader for East Midlands Baptist Association. “He led the church forward into buying a shop which was used as a coffee shop for the community, an after school club and a venue for various other mission initiatives. He was part of the music group that led worship at our Ministers’ Conference.  Watching him play was an inspiration as he gave his full energy to being a worshipping musician and offering the significant musical gifts he had to honour the Lord he loved. Peter was a compassionate and gentle character; he was positive and gracious, always seeing the best and being thankful. We are grateful to have had him in the EMBA for three years, we wish it could have been more.”

He had a great heart and love for God, for God’s people and of course for his wife, children and grandchildren.
 

Revd Gordon McIndoe, Minister of Falkirk Baptist Church