Our Minister - Andy Machin
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Our minister is Andy Machin who joined us in September 2017.
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Andy was brought up in a Christian home but felt called by God to express his commitment to following Jesus by being baptised in his early 30’s. After 19 years working for a major UK bank he was called into full time ministry with his previous churches being in Essex and Bristol. He loves introducing people to Jesus, and is passionate about church being in the community, working in partnership with others who are community builders, as, together, we seek to meet the practical and spiritual needs of the people of Seaford. He is a keen birdwatcher and sports fan.
Leadership
In addition to our Minister Andy Machin we have a team of leaders who serve in the Church to provide pastoral care and spiritual leadership, and as trustees also seek to help it run smoothly.​ Each trustee also overseas a particular area of the church.
Leadership Team
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Sheila White - Trust Secretary
My life radically changed when I became a Christian in 1983 through attending a gospel outreach meeting. My husband gave up his job; we sold our house and became missionary videographers, travelling in the UK and abroad. I was healed and gave birth to two children in 1989 and 1991. I became involved in home schooling and Christian education for several years. We have led home groups and I have taken part in prayer initiatives in various contexts. I was a trustee of Embassy Bible College from 2000 to 2020. I have a particular interest in Israel, Bible study, teaching, writing and prayer. I previously studied languages and trained as a bi-lingual secretary. I am a grandmother to two young girls. We have lived in Seaford and attended SBC since the end of 2014.
Alex Drury ~ Gorham -Youth & Young Adults
Alex is our youth and young adults worker, running the Friday night youth club, Sunday school, school assemblies and other events through out the week.
He's worked with young people and youth groups for the past 12 years. He has also spent time in Nepal and India working in church there, and looks forward to heading back there soon!
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Alex is assisted by Naomi Ayres, our Youth/Office Support Worker. He is currently working towards a qualification for the Baptist Union's Recognised Local Minister's course.
Jim Howell - Care Groups & Teaching
I came to Seaford with my wife Janet in 2015 and we quickly settled at SBC. My role in the Leadership Team is to work with Andy on the teaching programme. I am also one of those who give some of the Sunday talks. In addition, Janet and I lead and host a Care Group and help Andy to co-ordinate the Care Groups.
Since moving to Seaford, I have been volunteering with the National Trust and Sussex Wildlife Trust on conservation work and various wildlife recording activities, and in 2016 I became Chairman of Seaford Natural History Society. I see this as an important aspect of my ongoing Ministry.
I have two grown-up daughters and we have regular get-togethers. I am also very blessed to have two granddaughters and feel very fortunate that we have been given the opportunity to regularly look after them.
Rodney Reed - Early Birds Pre School
Fifty years ago through ‘Youth for Christ’ and an evangelical Baptist Church in Redruth I heard the Gospel, was Born Again and Baptised by total immersion in 1969. From Baptism and Church Membership in Cornwall, there were several years as a Deacon of the Warley Baptist Church. A ‘Prepare for Service’ course Certificate (TEE) from the Bristol Baptist College and an interview by the West Midlands Baptist Ministerial Recognition Committee had my wife Ann and me in the Handsworth Baptist Church Centre in Birmingham and me on the BUGB List of Nationally Recognised Pastors (now listed as ‘retired and living in Seaford’). Six years as Lay Pastor then we were Called away to training at the BMS, International Mission Centre. An interview by the Candidate Board of BMS confirmed our international Call and placed us for nine years in Bangladesh as ‘Business as Mission’, Creation Care - pollution prevention in textile factories and tanneries sponsored by BMS. In my working life I gained experience in ‘Health and Safety’ and ‘Safeguarding’. ​ I served as one of the Pastors for a Church Plant in a 5-star hotel in Dhaka. I am currently the Chair of the Early Birds Preschool Committee.
Andy Lowe - Children
Andy is married to Christy, with two gorgeous girls Pelagia and Alanis. He is currently Curriculum Tutor ar the local university, running the PGCE Geography teacher training course. He has worked as a teacher for 22 years and had various senior leadership roles in both Secondary and Primary Education. His passions often revolve being outdoors, in the sea windsurfing/foiling and on mountains leading croups. Andy made a commitment to follow Christ at the age of 11 on a Don Summers Crusade, and being baptised by full emersion at age 14. Andy currently serves the youth and children provision at SBC helping lead Sunday school groups, and also on the Friday night clubs when needed.
Angela Ayres - Pastoral Team Leader
I have been a member of Seaford Baptist Church since I was a young person. I came to faith at a Covenanter camp and have been involved in many areas of the church and church life. I have volunteered within the youth work both in Transformers and the Friday night youth club (when it originally was called Interface). I was also chair of the Women’s group known as Ladies Contact Club. I have been a member of the World Mission Team as well as helping to run Who Let the Dads Out (pre pandemic).
I have had several jobs since leaving school. When I left school I went to work for Boots the Chemist in Eastbourne on the chemist/pharmacy counter and then worked my way up to acting Department Manager. I took time out to have the girls. I returned to work when they went to school and worked in nursing homes and primary schools in Seaford and Peacehaven. I’m also involved in the Flower Arranging Team and part of the committee for Early Birds Pre School.
Linda Lord
I came to faith in the mid 80’s and was baptised at Newhaven Baptist Church. On moving to Lewes I worshipped at St. John sub Castro where I was actively engaged in Church life and attended a house group. Moving to Seaford 19 years ago I started attending SBC where I met my husband, Colin. As my Mother’s health began to deteriorate Colin and I would take her to her Church at Southover in Lewes which is where we were married in 2011. On leaving School I went to work for a Firm of Solicitors. After taking my Legal Executive exams I specialised in Conveyancing but also gained experience in Probate, Matrimonial and Litigation. My last employment was for our Family Solicitor in Lewes until his retirement.
I was received into membership of SBC at Easter 2023. I now lead the weekly OASIS Fellowship Group with the support of a strong Committee
Rosemary Kemp - Safeguarding
I am grateful to God for leading me back to SBC where I have been attending regularly since January 2024. I am a fully committed Christian having had a Believer’s Baptism well over forty years ago when I lived in London. I have been a member of SBC’s Oasis Fellowship for many years.
I was a scholarship pupil and prize winner at the Royal College of Music London and taught electronic and digital keyboard, piano and harpsichord in schools prior to my retirement in December 2017. I played the piano professionally prior to having a family and continue to play for all kinds of groups.
I have post graduate qualifications in special needs. I set up the Special Needs Support Group (SNAPPS) a registered charity, based at SBC and ran it for twenty years prior to its closure in 2012. I spent many years looking after our disabled son who has severe autism and now lives in care. I have a particular interest in the Safeguarding of all vulnerable people and I am available to help and serve the church in any way I can.
Administration Team
Richard Faulkner - Facilities Co-ordinator
Richard was born in West London and spent 30 years in the Travel industry working in all aspects and then gained experience in an engineering firm and as an Expeditor in the supply chain.
I have been married to Elke my wife for nearly 10 years and we moved down to Seaford in the summer of 2016 for work purposes. When I was younger I enjoyed all sports, playing a lot of football and cricket. I enjoy long walks with my wife over the Downs and along the seafront in Eastbourne and here in Seaford. I so enjoy my work now at SBC and look forward to helping people and facilitating all the diverse groups that use our building.
Naomi Ayres - Youth & Office Support Worker
Naomi was born in Eastbourne and raised in Seaford. She has been attending Seaford Baptist Church from a young age. She is a supporter Chelsea Football Club and is passionate about football/sport being equal and accessible for everyone.
Naomi is our Youth/Office Support Worker. She supports Alex with the Youth and Young Peoples work within SBC. She also works in the church office and is a key person on the Audio/Visual team.
Penny Smoker - Receptionist
Penny is retired having lived and worked in the United States for fourteen years where she was the personal assistant to the Senior Pastor of a large Southern Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
Penny volunteers at the Church one morning a week, where she manages the front desk and produces the weekly notice sheet, room schedule and updates the Church notices, plus any other office duties as required. Penny is married to Kevin, with two sons and four grand- children.