We believe that, under God, the government of the local church is best done by church members meeting together in a spirit of prayer and friendship to discuss and agree on what God wants them to do. Every member is encouraged to be involved and use their gifts.
The day to day leadership of the church is entrusted to our Leadership Team appointed by the Church Meeting. They are jointly responsible for overseeing the spiritual direction of the church, worship and prayer, discipleship (both teaching and pastoral care), outreach and, in the role of Trustees, the administration of the church.
Our leadership team consists of:
Pastors:
Daniel Beckett is our Lead Pastor. Daniel joined GBC in September 2010 as our Youth and Children’s Pastor, and was appointed as our Lead Pastor in August 2020. He had previously been the Youth Worker at Sheringham Baptist Church. Daniel is married to Hayley and they have two sons and a daughter.
Carolyn Keats is our Associate Pastor, having joined the staff team in October 2021. Carolyn has previously ministered in Baptist churches in Swanage, Orpington and Lymington as well as some years on the staff of Capernwray Bible School.
Other Staff Team members:
Ruth Blakey is our part-time Church Administrator. She joined the staff team at GBC in April 2004, having worshipped here since September 2000. She has been married to Andy since October 2004 and between them they have two daughters and one son – all now independent adults, and three grandchildren. Prior to 2004, Ruth worked as a lecturer and staff development administrator at a local FE college.
Jude Lechmere is our FoodBank Project Manager having joined the staff team in September 2021. Jude has volunteered with the FoodBank for many years and is now looking forward, in this newly created paid role, to seeing how the FoodBank can extend and develop its impact on reducing food poverty in our local area. Jude has a nursing background, and has worked with adults with additional needs. She is a mum of two young adults. She was married to Ian for 26 years and widowed in 2020. Jude has been part of GBC for many years and, she says, “it feels like home”.
If you contact the church office, you may well find that one of our office volunteer team will help you.