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 (see Administration Team below).
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.
Jenny Chapman - Pastoral Leader
I was born in Worthing where my father was organist at Christ Church C of E church. It was in the youth group there that I met my husband Neville. We came to Seaford Baptist church in 1970, so were very involved when SBC moved from Broad Street to its present building in Belgrave Road. We were also both very involved in the youth work for about 21 years. We then worshipped at Steyne Road Methodist church for a number of years, where again I helped in the youth work and we were both involved in outreach.
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After my husband died in 2013 I came back ‘home’ to SBC. I am part of the small team of flower arrangers and I help in Scallywags, the group for preschool children and their carers. I am now also part of the Cabin team.
I have three married daughters and am very blessed that they all live fairly locally so I am able to see them often and my six grandchildren.
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Rodney Reed
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’.
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I served as one of the Pastors for a Church Plant in a 5-star hotel in Dhaka. Now I’m Called and serving as one of the Trustees of the Seaford Baptist Church where as well as my experience in ‘Safeguarding’ and ‘Health and Safety’ my environmental interests are proving useful however building for the Kingdom and sharing the Gospel are the priorities.
Sally-Ann Fatkin - Worship
I was brought up in a church going family in West London and confirmed at the age of 17.
In 1986 at a Vineyard conference in Brighton, I realised Jesus died for me and that His forgiveness is personal, and, in that life-changing week, I was baptised in the Holy Spirit.
That same year I met husband Nick through a drama group. We were married in 1988 and baptised the same year as part of Haven Green Baptist, Ealing. In this fellowship, and later, as part of Hayes Baptist Church, I was involved in the ministries of house group, prayer,
and worship, setting up worship teams for both churches. We moved to Seaford in 2014 for the fresh air and made Seaford Baptist Church our spiritual home in 2015.
I have a passion for authentic, collaborative, creative and free worship, with a particular heart for all-age worship.
As a professional musician my current work involves ‘Singing for Fun’ groups and teaching piano - a natural platform for spreading some joy! Apart from music making, I enjoy gardening, card making and catching up with friends & family, particularly at the beach.
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.
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.
Penny Smoker - Receptionist
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.