A service of welcome and commitment to shared ministry in the Benefice of the Resurrection was recently held to receive the Reverend Dr Vijay Kumar in his role as Pioneer Priest.
Bishop Saju, members of the church ministry team, diocesan colleagues, family, and friends including those from other cities connecting Vijay’s work across the country, came together to celebrate new beginnings in this large Leicester parish.
During the service, Vijay received the Symbols of Ministry, including a Punjabi Bible and a Kashmiri shawl as signs of his roots and his heart for serving diverse communities.
Vijay has travelled a great distance to join the Diocese of Leicester, having formerly ministered as senior priest at St. Paul’s Jammu in the Diocese of Amritsar, Church of North India.
He has been appointed to serve the parish in pioneering outreach and mission and brings a wide range of gifts and skills for the role across this richly diverse multicultural area and interfaith context.
His vision for the Parish of the Resurrection is to cultivate a Christ-centred, vibrant, and mission-focused community, where faith is lived out in meaningful ways.
Talking after the welcome service, Vijay said: "It was a truly special occasion, filled with warmth, joy, and a deep sense of community. I was humbled by the presence of so many people from both the church and the wider community, coming together in worship and fellowship. It was especially heartening to see friends and well-wishers travel from Lincoln, Birmingham, Coventry, and Chester to be part of this significant moment."
One of the most memorable moments for Vijay was the "beautiful diversity" reflected in the service, through prayers, reading, and songs, including Hindi worship led by members of the congregation.
"It was a powerful reminder of how God brings people from different backgrounds together in His service," said Vijay. "The commissioning prayers were particularly moving, affirming my commitment to the mission and ministry of the church. A deeply personal moment for Lavina and me was when we knelt in prayer, dedicating ourselves afresh to God’s calling, echoing Joshua’s declaration: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Looking ahead, Vijay is eager to build relationships, listen to the needs of the community, and work towards fostering a welcoming and missional church.
"My hope is to encourage deeper engagement with faith, reach out to those on the margins, and establish meaningful partnerships within Leicester," he said. "Through prayer walks and various missional and social initiatives in Belgrave, I seek to make Christ’s presence known in the community."
Vijay was licensed to the role by Bishop Martyn in January.
