Jon gears up for ordination

Jonathan (Jon) Tuckwell, 33, a former engineer who gave up work in 2008 for a life in the ministry, is to be ordained by the Bishop of Ely, Stephen Conway, at a service in Ely Cathedral, on Saturday 2 July (15.00).

He is to serve as Assistant Curate of Christ Church, Cambridge, in the Parish of St Andrew the Less.

Born in Epsom, Surrey, he moved to Tunbridge Wells, Kent, with his family in 1986, where they attended a Pentecostal church. Aged 16 he began to preach occasionally.

He eventually moved to Bristol to work for British Aerospace and this encouraged him to undertake a Masters degree in Engineering at Cambridge, in 1996.

During his time in Cambridge he joined St Andrew the Great, a large Anglican Church. He got married in July 2000, one month after his graduation.

Jon settled in Cambridge after university and worked for an engineering consultancy. He became more involved with the Church and the Vicar suggested he should consider ordained ministry.

In 2003, he joined the congregation at Christ Church, Cambridge, where he will return to after his ordination. He eventually left his job in 2008 to train full-time for ordained ministry at Oak Hill College, North London.

Jon said today: “My three years at college has been a brilliant time. I feel I have been equipped with the tools and techniques needed to continue in the pattern of learning and helping others to grow. I am looking forward to returning to Christ Church which I left just three years ago.”

After serving as a deacon for one year, Jon will be eligible to be considered for ordination to the priesthood.