Revd (Flt Lt) Ian Brown BEd BA

Ian is currently serving as the CSFC chaplain at RAF Marham, in Norfolk. Ian, a Methodist Minister, joined the RAF in November 2009.

On leaving school, Ian trained in Oxford as a primary school teacher, subsequently teaching in Gloucester for six years. During that time he felt the call to ministry and was accepted for training. In 2001 Ian began pre-ordination training at Wesley College, Bristol before being posted to the Lincoln North Circuit in 2003. Whilst in Lincoln Ian was responsible for two growing churches near the city centre as well as various mission projects in the area.

In October 2007 Ian launched Lincoln Street Pastors. Through this project he came into contact with many RAF personnel who were out on the streets of Lincoln on a Friday and Saturday night. It was as a result of these encounters that Ian came to see the value of ministering to those who serve in the armed forces.

Following much prayer and a station visit to RAF Waddington, Ian sought the permission of the Methodist Church to apply for RAF chaplaincy and in November 2009 he began training on the SERE Course at RAF Cranwell.

Since graduating from Cranwell, Ian has thrown himself into the role of chaplain and is thoroughly enjoying working with and ministering to people who would not usually consider contacting their local minister. Recently, Ian spent two weeks in Cyprus where he provided support for troops returning from Afghanistan.

Ian says of chaplaincy, “It’s a tremendous privilege working in such an environment, whilst being both challenging and rewarding. Each day provides fresh opportunities to share the love of God”.

Ian is married to Beccy who is a teacher and they have two children, Sam and Emily.