URC THAMES NORTH SYNOD 
URC THAMES NORTH SYNOD
About our Moderator
The Revd Dr Andrew Prasad
On Wednesday 1 October, 2008 The Revd Dr Andrew Prasad took over as leader of a group of 140 churches with seven thousand members, across North London, and most of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. As Moderator of the Thames North Synod of the United Reformed Church, he is the first person from black and minority ethnic communities to serve as a Moderator in any of the United Reformed Church’s regions, or Synods, across England, Scotland and Wales.
Andrew was born on 16 February 1953 in Agra, India.
After completing a BA degree, he attended the Bishop’s College, Calcutta to undertake his theological training. Ordained in 1981 in the Church of North India, he served the Church in various rôles as a local minister and as a member of Assembly staff. He has also served as the convenor of the Church’s national Racial Justice and Multicultural Ministry committee.
Appointed Secretary for Personnel & Training in the Council for World Mission in 1989, he served with CWM until 1999 and was Co-ordinator of Asian Ministries in South London before he was appointed as the Minister of Dulwich Grove, Camberwell Green and Copleston Centre (LEP), URC in April 2002.
As well as bringing with him a well founded academic history and solid career background, Revd Dr Prasad will bring to URC Thames North Synod wide pastoral and ecumenical experience, theological & missiological insights and well-honed leadership skills.
During his career, Andrew has absorbed and harmonised a spectrum of spiritualities. He was raised in a multi-religious neighbourhood, exposed to extreme poverty, injustice but also witnessed wide-ranging loving service on the streets of Calcutta. By God’s grace, he has experienced the gospel being incarnated in diverse people and cultures across the world and has been influenced by personal devotion and prayer life of many of his friends.
Andrew believes that the dynamic interaction between the world and the Church is crucial for the vitality of the church and to realise the presence of God in the world He loves so profoundly.
It is with a sense of excitement Andrew is looking forward to engaging in God’s mission with the Churches in the Thames North Synod, realising it will mean a steep learning curve in order to offer a visionary leadership. He aims to build self-confidence and hope in Christian communities for what they are called to be and to do in their local context.
In his own words: “I am delighted to be able to bring my own global and culturally varied experience to the ethnically and religiously diverse city of London and surrounding areas. My appointment also shows the Church values and appreciates the contribution of its black and minority ethnic members”.
“In an uncertain world, where there is so much mistrust, I see my main priority as building community cohesion and trust among the variety of people and groups who make up society. I shall seek to engage with initiatives which strengthen family values, offer the opportunity to make a positive contribution in the community, and attempt to create a climate in which everyone is loved, respected and valued”.
URC Thames North Synod welcomed Andrew and his family formally and inducted Andrew to his new rôle at a very moving service at City Temple, Holborn Viaduct on Saturday 4 October, 2008.
A family man, Andrew is happily married to Kiran and they have two children, Rahul (Son, 23) and Jasmine (daughter, 19). Interests outside church activities include listening to favourite music and taking brisk walks whenever possible. He also likes to watch crucial football matches, enjoying the quality of game rather then being fan of any particular club although there might well be some little inclination towards Manchester United!
Read Andrew's latest blog on the Israel Palestine situation "Demolition - no right to exist." here
Click on picture to listen to Andrew's first broadcast on Premier Christian Radio