Martin Cavender, who has died aged 68, was one of the most charismatic
evangelists who never wore a dog collar; his background was as a West Country
solicitor specialising in ecclesiastical work, but it was as an evangelist with
a gift for preaching – a combination of encouragement and dynamism – that he
gained renown.
He was the first layman to preach in Westminster Abbey at a bishop’s
consecration. Having asked an eminent churchman who loved his style what tone
might be suitable, Cavender received the reply: “Give us both barrels.” Cavender
obliged, concluding his address with a prayer “written by a friend of mine who
is… banged up in Dartmoor Prison”.
On behalf of the Church of England’s evangelical initiative Springboard,
Cavender established links with Church groups around the world. He was sent to
help rewrite the Church’s constitution in Rwanda after that country’s
genocide.
His delight in people left, as one churchman put it, “a fragrance of love
and joy wherever he went”. He was a founder member of the Archbishops’ College
of Evangelists, and holder of the Cross of St Augustine, presented exceptional
service to the Anglican Communion. Telegraph
Obituaries.
