Simon Smith is our Minister.
He is married, with two children. Simon spent 5 years working for a
Life Insurance Company before pursuing a call into pastoral ministry.
He graduated in theology and pastoral practice at Moorlands Bible College,
Bournemouth, and at Spurgeon's College, London.
Simon is an ordained and fully accredited Baptist Minister with the Baptist
Union of Great Britain. He took up his appointment as our Minister
in September 2002 after a 13-year ministry at his first Church in South London.
As the Minister, Simon helps our church family to know and to grow in the
Christian faith. He leads us through his preaching and teaching
ministry - and as he encourages us week by week to worship and pray.
Every day, Simon meets privately with people for all sorts of reasons where
he listens, prays and offers support and counsel. He is also
much involved with the wider community beyond our Church family.
Simon is encouraging us to be an attractive and an outgoing family of faith.
We want people near and far to know what Christians believe – and to find
in the Christian family a place where they can belong.
ASSISTANT MINISTER
Leesa Barton is our Assistant Minister.
Originally from Rochford, near Southend, Leesa spent 2 years working for
a bank and 7 years working for an insurance agency before pursuing a call
into youth ministry.
Leesa worked for eight years with "Epping Forest Youth for Christ", six as
their Director. Leesa developed an excellent team and a growing ministry
which helped children and young people to hear and understand the Christian
faith, whether they were in their schools, out in the community or at church.
In September 2004, Leesa was appointed as our Assistant Minister with special
responsibility for outreach. She also commenced a course in theology
at Spurgeon’s College.
Within the sphere of Leesa's ministry here, her primary focus is on the wider
community. She is working hard to build bridges between the church
and the neighbourhood so that the good news of God's love can be shared and
received.
MINISTRY STAFF TEAM
Simon and Leesa are joined by Helen
Needham as our Church Administrator.
Helen runs a busy church office and enables the work of a lively, growing
church to run as smoothly as possible.
WORKING TOGETHER…
Of course, in the life and work
of our church family, all church members are encouraged to play an active
part.
The church members elect other leaders to work with
the Ministry Staff Team in order to give spiritual direction, pastoral supervision
and practical leadership to the Church.
Furthermore, leaders and members meet together regularly to help shape Church
life and work. Within the different areas of our work, many teams and
workers combine to form an active and caring Christian Church family which
is open to all.