Who we are
A community of people
We are a community of people of all ages and backgrounds who choose to worship together, and share many aspects of our lives in order to support each other in our faith, and share the great news about Jesus in our local community. We have families with babies and young children, right up to a vibrant and active community of older people who meet each week, on Sundays, but also at other times during the week.
Our Minister - Andy Machin
Our minister is Andy Machin who joined us in September 2017.
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 (see above) we have a Pastoral Worker (see below) and 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. Details of the leadership team are not included on the mobile version of the website due to space restrictions.
Our structure is described in the document Structure For Growth which can be seen on the church documents page of the Church Members area of our website. You need a password to access this area - if you would like one please contact the church office via our Contact Form on our Contact Us page.
Pastoral Worker - Hilary Lawrie
I was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, and came to live in England when I was 17 years old. I have attended a Baptist Church since 1987 and was baptised in 1989. I have been attending Seaford Baptist Church for 3 years and am delighted to be part of the church family here and to serve in the role of Pastoral Worker.
Leadership Team
Jonathan Ayres - Trust Secretary
I joined SBC as a member in my late teens and have served the church in a number of roles over the past 40 years. I have recently retired from working as a Fraud Strategy Manager for a major high street bank. In addition to my role as the Churches Trust Secretary, I am the lead for Who Let’s the Dads Out and the Company Secretary for Waves, which is the family support charity linked to the church. I am married to Angela and we have two daughters Rachel and Naomi.
Trevor Atkinson - Treasurer
Trevor serves as our Treasurer.
I moved to Seaford 12 years ago with my wife Rachel and our 2 children Lydia and Jonathan from Poland and France where we had lived for nearly 7 years. When I moved back to the UK I started up my own company based in Seaford which manufactures and exports Pharmacy medicines.
I owned and ran Living Words bookshop in Place Lane Seaford with Rachel in our spare time and after it closed in 2012 I became more involved in the men's work at SBC where I now jointly lead a small group and also help with running Who Let the Dad's Out.
I have been on the Leadership Team for just over a 2 year's now. I was originally involved in the Wider team and the Cabin management group and now have transferred to the Stronger team following my appointment as the Church Treasurer.
Alex Drury-Gorham -
Youth and Young Adults
Alex is our youth and young peoples 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!
Alex is assisted by Naomi Ayres, our Youth/Office Support Worker (see Administration Team below).
Tom Batts - Worship
I've been a Christian since I was 17. Married to Rosemary since 1977 with 2 children Sarah and Richard. I am now retired from being a self- employed Independent Financial Adviser since 1985. Prior to that I was mainly employed in Electrical Engineering and Marketing.
I've been involved in leading worship in the church since 1985 and my passion is to facilitate worship in Spirit and Truth creating a platform for the family of God to enter into His presence. As part of the 'Higher' team my responsibilities include the worship at SBC. I enjoy being part of a local band called 'Eclectrix' and am also a member of Seaford Striders running club which I find is a great way of meeting people outside the normal church circle.
Jim Howell - Care Group Co-ordinator
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.
Andy Lowe - Children's Work
Andy has specific responsibilities for Children’s work at SBC.
He has specific oversight over Children’s Church on a Sunday morning. He also has oversight of the team leaders of other regular Children's events such as Who let the Kids out and Who let the Dads out which occur each month, and the Club youth group which meet every week. This role also sees him working with Alex to oversee transformers, the annual children’s holiday club. He has a passion to see all people grow in their relationship and experience of God, and for authenticity of faith in our lives.
Judith Ellis - Community Worker
It is a privilege to be part of the Leadership Team at Seaford Baptist Church (SBC). It feels like coming home as, in the 1990’s, I often joined my sister and her family who worshipped at SBC. It was also good to get to know Andy Machin, Roger Murphy and others at SBC when we took part in the East Sussex evangelistic event called the Turning. My role at SBC is the Community Worker at the Cabin on the Cradle Hill Estate. I will be working with the team that provide care and events for people on that estate.
I am originally from, Peacehaven, East Sussex. In 2014 my home town became my base again after 40 years away. For the last 5 years I was my mother’s carer and the Hub Director for Westminster Theological Centre at Ashburnham Place managing Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Kingdom Theology. Before this I was a BMS missionary for 14 years in Nepal. I was based in Kathmandu I was the CEO of an International Christian School in Kathmandu, a teacher training centre for Nepali schools and teachers as well as leadership training for principals and church leaders. My passion is to see the church living out the Lord’s Prayer; 'Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'
Roger Murphy - Evangelism
Roger and his wife Jill moved to Seaford in 2013,and Jill became a family worker with Waves soon after.
Roger became a Christian in his mid twenties from a non church background of football hooliganism in London, and for the last 35 years has been a commissioned evangelist working across the UK leading numerous missions and seeing many people of all ages becoming Christians.
Roger is currently part of the team of our Christian outreach work at The Cabin. This is for the community on the Cradle Hill estate with a programme of childrens clubs,special needs group,coffee pot for adults, and Sundays @ The Cabin for families. He is also helping the church to develop evangelism strategies in Seaford with outreach events and exploration courses for those seeking to become Christians. Roger loves the sea,walking,football,and is a passionate Chelsea fan !!
Jenny Chapman -
Social Action and Mission
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.
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.
My role on the leadership is to be part of the overseas mission team and a point of contact for the church groups which involve non church members, such as Scallywags.
