‘His desire was to use the media in any form for the sake of bringing the message and comfort of God to all’

Tributes have been paid to Peter Kerridge, a Baptist minister and the CEO of the Christian media group Premier. Peter died aged 63 on Saturday, 8 June, just over a year after sharing he had been diagnosed with acute leukaemia

 
Peter joined Premier in 1996 as Managing Director, and his partnership with David Heron is credited with transforming the organisation's fortunes, turning it into Europe's largest Christian media group within three decades. Under Peter’s leadership, Premier became known for its innovative approach, including pioneering video-on-demand through Premier.tv and being among the first UK radio stations to stream content online in the late 1990s. Peter was appointed CEO of Premier in 2004.
 
He had long combined his faith with a passion for radio, embarking on his broadcasting career at Metro Radio in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne before studying theology at Oxford University and subsequently training for Baptist ministry. His early career included a role as associate minister at Avenue Baptist Church in Southend-on-Sea and a significant position at Essex Radio, where he eventually became the Religious and Community Affairs Manager.
 
Andrew Cowley, the moderator of Baptist Union Trustees and senior minister of Leigh Road Baptist Church in Essex, knew Peter for 35 years and had been his minister for the last seven.
 
‘We were probational ministers together in the old Essex Baptist Association back in the late 1980s, and Peter has always been a supportive colleague and friend,’ Andrew explained.
 
‘Peter was a cheery, engaging and intelligent minister who successfully combined his deep faith, ministerial training and skills, a passion for radio, and strong entrepreneurial and leadership abilities. He was an excellent communicator, networker, confidante, mentor, speaker and enabler.
 
‘His desire was to use the media in any form for the sake of bringing the message and comfort of God to all. Peter was able to straddle the various Christian denominations and streams and therefore forged many deep friendships with numerous people, yet he remained grounded and in touch with the lives and needs of others.
 
‘He was a deep thinker who had a desire to see all come to Christ and to bring Christ to all.’
 
These qualities were echoed in tributes from colleagues at Premier.
 
‘Peter’s energy and drive were pivotal at various stages of Premier’s history, either sustaining or advancing the station to new heights,’ said Kevin Bennett, who was recently appointed Premier’s CEO.
 
‘I hope Peter will be remembered as a man wholly committed to the mission God set before him.
 
‘He never wavered once he committed, relentlessly striving to spread the good news of Jesus. Above all, he will be remembered for his heart, his mission, and his ministry.’
 
Sandy Muirhead, Chair of Trustees of Premier Christian Media Trust, added, ‘Peter was an extraordinary colleague, entrepreneur, and inspiration. His drive forward Premier's mission was unmatched, and he will be deeply missed within our company and beyond. His unwavering faith and commitment to the Lord were truly inspiring to us all.’
 
Peter is survived by wife Karen and two sons, Mathew and Jonathan.
 
Andrew added, ‘Peter was a devoted husband to Karen, who he had known since they were young children together in Sunday School. Peter was also a father who was very proud of this two sons Jonathan and Mathew.
 
‘A friend to many, he was always talking to people. He was hospitable, generous, and light-hearted, a keen sports fan. A voracious reader, and news junkie, he somehow always had time for people. 
 
‘He was an active and regular church member and a member of the preaching team at Leigh Road Baptist Church. 
 
‘Peter was a great support to me in many ways. A trusted friend, colleague and confidante, he will be missed by all who knew him - his family, his colleagues, his church family and his many friends.’ 

Other Baptists have spoken of Peter's life and impact. Wayne Clarke is minister of Trinity Baptist Church in Gorton and former presenter of BBC Radio Merseyside's religious affairs programme Daybreak.

'So sad to hear of Pete's death,' he wrote on social media. 'I was at Regent's with Pete and stayed in touch with him. We both worked in radio, but in different contexts. He was a pioneer for Christian broadcasting and will be much missed. May the Lord be with his family.'

Louisa Lockwood is the former editor of Preach Magazine and is now a minister-in-training at Bristol Baptist College. 

She shared the following message on the Premier website.

'Premier has been a lifeline for me and especially Premier Praise which I believe works with supernatural energy against despair, grief, loneliness and negative mental health.

'Peter may never know the legacy of the lives his work has and will continue to transform. Maybe the Lord will share that with him - he is certainly there, a saint with all of those gone before and welcoming him into the kingdom. I never met Peter but I’m so thankful for his life and legacy, I do pray for the greatest of comfort for all his family and for peaceful hearts.'
 
 
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 
 

Premier has set up a page where you can leave your prayers and messages of thanksgiving: www.premier.org.uk