Martin Thomson was born in Bellshill, raised in Swinton on the east of Glasgow. Professed faith on his 16th birthday in Bargeddie Parish Church after coming to make personal the faith in which he had been reared. Left home at the age of 17 intending to pursue a career in science, reading Pure Mathematics at the University of St Andrews, where he became heavily involved in the Christian Union. Plans to continue postgraduate work unexpectedly fell through. Sensing that plans were being thwarted in order to divert him towards Christian service, Martin then enrolled as a postgraduate in the University of Edinburgh to take a Diploma in Education concurrently with a teacher training course at Moray House College. There then followed a return to Glasgow and a post in teaching, albeit with a growing conviction that this was to prove temporary. Martin was ordained to the eldership in Bargeddie. Having met Lorna in St Andrews, marriage took place in1983. As a call to the ministry grew under the teaching ministry of Alistair Malcolm in Bargeddie, Martin applied for and was accepted for the ministry of the Church of Scotland and studied in the University of Glasgow 1984-87. Lorna supported Martin through this time, whilst working as the Senior Development Officer in Springburn & Possilpark Housing Association. After serving as an assistant to Martin Allen in Chryston, a call was received from Kirkcowan & Wigtown and on 18th May 1988 Martin was ordained and inducted to this Charge, where he ministered until being called to Dalry Trinity on 10th November 2004. Lorna currently works as a Financial Administrator, whilst Philip and Jonathan attend university, and Lewis is still at school.