The Rev. Flavio Azambuja, former pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Newbridge, pays tribute to the Rev. John Pullin, a former minister of Deer Park Baptist Church, Tenby, who served as a missionary in Brazil for more than 40 years of his 53 years in the ministry. John died in Campo Grande on August 13, aged 75.

I attribute my close ties to Wales, where for a number of years I was a student and a minister at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Newbridge, to Welsh missionary, the Rev John Pullin, and his family and their tireless work for the Lord in Brazil

He and his wife, Yvonne, returned to the UK for health reasons after more than 10 years in the mission field and, following a spell in Pembrokshire and marriage to his second wife, Lidia, he became vice principal and then principal of the Baptist college in Campo Grande, capital of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul.

I was one of his students and then, after ordination, I became a lecturer in the same institution. It was this relationship that opened up the opportunity for me (accompanied by my wife) to begin studying at the South Wales Baptist College and Cardiff University; followed by a period of research at Bangor University.

For more than 50 years, John - originally from Bridgend - preached the Gospel as a minister both in Wales and in Brazil. I have had the privilege of knowing him for 20 years. He invested time in our country for more than 43 years and we count this as a huge honour and blessing. He was a great character! He enjoyed engaging in debate with people and he would often take an opposite view to others ( even if he didn’t agree with it) simply for the fun of having a good argument. He had a passion for winning - whatever the task or activity... rugby, politics, theology or even as a grandad playing board games. He used to drive us all mad on occasions, but we loved and greatly respected the man despite his ‘no - nonsense’ approach which could sometimes be interpreted as harsh.

I am very grateful to Wales for allowing us to share people of the highest quality, such as John, to teach us the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are also grateful for those such as the late Rev. David and Sheila Brown; Rev. Keith and Barbara Hodges; together with Nigel, Elizabeth and Sara, John and Yvonne’s children. It seems as if ‘thank you’ is not enough.

The Baptist denomination in Brazil will greatly miss John who had the love of Christ in his heart - even if he could be described as a ‘awkward’ on occasions! His friends and relatives on both sides of the Atlantic will miss the fun. You were never bored if John was around. We will miss his stories, experience, words of wisdom and directness of speech. I will miss him as a dear friend and ‘father’ figure who has somehow helped me to retain a special link with my adopted land of Wales.

We held a special ‘thanksgiving’ service for John on Thursday, August 13, with many hymns, tributes and the preaching of the Word of God. He was laid to rest the following morning.

Rev. Flávio Garcia Azambuja, Senior Minister of Belo

Horizonte Baptist Church,

City of Campo Grande,

State of Mato Grosso do Sul,

Brazil.