The Christian Institute has announced the appointment of Ciarán Kelly as its new Director.
His predecessor, Colin Hart, founded the Institute in 1991 and was its Director until his sudden death in March from a heart attack.
Ciarán, who joined the Institute in 2014, stepped in as Acting Director while the Trustees carried out a rigorous four-month recruitment process, and has now been promoted to the position on a permanent basis.
‘Full confidence’
In a statement, Revd Dr Richard Turnbull, the Institute’s Chairman of Trustees, said: “The Trustees were more than aware that this was a crucial moment in the history of the Institute. We were determined to pray for the appointment of the right person under God to be the next Director and consulted both internally and externally as part of a rigorous search process.
“I am delighted to announce that the Trustees have unanimously agreed, after interview, to appoint Ciarán Kelly as the next Director of The Christian Institute. Ciarán joined the Institute some 10 years ago after a career in the financial sector.
“He came first as Head of Communications and was then appointed Deputy Director, a role in which he has held particular responsibility for the Institute’s staff team. He has earned the full confidence of the staff and trustees – there is no one more suited to lead the Institute for the challenges that lie ahead.”
“As Director, Ciarán will continue to work closely with myself as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees as we guide the Institute into the next phase of its work. We are both committed to the biblical vision and ethos of the Institute which we believe must be maintained in order to honour the Lord himself, who died for us. The Holy Scriptures are the foundation of all we do and believe, and we are not at liberty to set them aside.”
‘Biblical faithfulness and intellectual rigour’
Ciarán Kelly said: “I love the work of The Christian Institute, and its people. It has been a privilege to serve the Lord here for the last decade. So it is a great and humbling responsibility to be asked to lead the work, especially following in the footsteps of my late friend, the founder and Director of this phenomenal organisation, Colin Hart, who held the post for over 30 years.
“Ten years of working with Colin – and with the amazing team of people he assembled around him – has given me an even greater passion for what we do than when I first walked through the doors. I’m delighted to take on the job of Director.
“I’m utterly committed to upholding the biblical faithfulness and intellectual rigour that has served the Institute and its supporters so well over the last three decades. I believe we have something unique and powerful to offer those who want to know how to stand for Christ on some of the most important issues of our day.”
Stewarding
He continued: “Christians have a duty to co-operate with God in His common grace goodness to the whole world. This includes speaking up for what is good and right and true, and contending for the relevance of God’s moral law to all people in our own day. I invite all Bible-believing Christians to join us in this glorious task.
“Please pray for me, our trustees and all the staff as we seek to glorify God as faithful stewards of the vision and resources of The Christian Institute in the years ahead.”
