The Reverend Canon Ben Eaton

The Chaplain of St. John's church for the Var at St. Raphaël is the Reverend Canon Ben Eaton. Ben has had a varied experience, he served as a marine, and then attended the American University in Beirut, whilst living with his parents, who were stationed in Kabul Afganistan in the diplomatic service, this was an international and stimulating education, and during those years Ben became a Christian.

He was with his parents in Lima, Peru, when he was was accepted for ordination and attended the Anglican Theological Seminary based in San Juan Puerto Rico. After ordination he served as a missionary in Guyaquil Equador. Ben lived and worked for three years in a vast swampy slum, the experience of which shaped much of his theology, faith and life.

After three years he was called to be the assistant of St. Anne's Wandsworth, London where he met and married his wife Anne. They have one son Benjamin. Because of his third world background Ben was appointed Secretary for Higher Education for Christian Aid.

Ben and Anne then moved to Devon where Ben was first vicar of Littleham cum Exmouth , and then Rector of Alphington Exeter. Both dynamic alive churches filled with young people. Anne was deputy head of a local primary school.

After ten very happy and fruitful years in Devon, because of Ben's fluency in Spanish he was called to serve as chaplain of St. Georges, in Barcelona, in the Diocese in Europe. For the 14 years prior to coming to St. Raphael he led the church of Holy Trinity, Maisons Laffitte in the western suburbs of Paris. A church full of families and a children and young people's programme that involved well over 100 children.

Ben and Anne feel very privileged that the Lord has used them for such a rich and immensely rewarding life and ministry, and now since October 2002 they have been called to serve Christ and His church at St. Raphaël. To look after the spiritual and pastoral needs of the anglophones of the departement of the Var with St. John's as the centre, and other centres of worship and community care in other areas of the Var. To go out to people and to call them to Christ.