Pastor

Surprised, changed and delighted by God: A former electronics and communications systems engineer who didn’t have a place for God has for the last twenty-plus years been following Jesus and encouraging others to seek, know, love and serve him together in real community as a response to the truth, love and power of God.

Steve and his wife Clare have two boys in their twenties and puppy called Obi. After 23 years as minister in South Oxhey, near Watford, Steve, Clare came to Gateway at the very beginning of 2021.

Church Elder

David has served as a youth leader, a home group leader and as deacon.  He  was appointed to the eldership in March 2018.

David has a heart for discipleship – to help and encourage Christians, young and old (in all senses!), to constant growth.  He and his wife, Carol, served with Youth With A Mission, helping to establish a new work in Ireland and then at the training base at Holmsted Manor, Staplefield, until 1992.  Coming then to Burgess Hill, God led them, very clearly, to GBC.

Starting his working life in the motor trade, David moved into IT in the early 80s.  Most recently, he worked with IT and Audio Visual Communications until being made redundant during the pandemic.  He is currently studying part time at London School of Theology.  Carol is a qualified podiatrist and runs a private practice in the local area.  They have five grown-up children and eight grandchildren.  Rugby is an important factor across the Salisbury clan though that can get a bit tense during the Six Nations tournament as Carol is Welsh!

Children

Pauline has always had a special heart for children. She worked as a Paediatric Physiotherapist at Chailey Heritage, a school for children with severe physical disabilities, in East Sussex, for over 27 years, before retiring in 2017. She also set up a disability swimming squad in 2000, within Mid Sussex Marlins SC, which she continues to lead. The swimmers all have varying degrees of physical and learning disability and range in age from 6 to 65! When asked back in 2018 if she would consider being Deacon for Children’s Work, Pauline felt as if God had been preparing her for the position over all these years, as every role involving children in the past had felt God-led. Now, Pauline finds it a real privilege and delight to be leading the Children’s Work at GBC where it is very much a team approach when putting together the children’s programme, with God very much at the centre of the team.

Pauline is married to Bob, who is one of the GBC worship leaders. They have two children and six grandchildren (five boys and one girl!)

Worship

Linda moved to Burgess Hill with her family as a child and has been worshipping at GBC since then. She has seen a lot of changes to the town and to the church, and both continue to be dear to her heart.

Linda has a number of different roles in the church, including Church Secretary and Designated Person for Safeguarding. The role she enjoys most is being Deacon for Worship Ministry, as her heart for worshipping God has been growing continually over many years. Believing that God has created us to worship Him and to declare His praise, she enjoys leading the church family to discover what this means for us in practice, from the youngest to the oldest amongst us. Linda also enjoys writing worship songs and encouraging others to step out in this, or any other gifting that God is giving them.

Linda recently retired from teaching at a local primary school. She is married to Paul, who also serves as part of the worship team. They have two grown up children and a grandson.

Social Action

Sharon became a Christian as a child and, as part of living out her faith, has always been passionate about prayer. Prayer is always the place to start but as Christians we are called to take the good news of the Gospel and to share Jesus’ love within the community where we have been called to live and serve. Being active in our society is an important area where we can do this and Sharon has been serving at Gateway for a number of years as the Deacon for Social Action. This covers a wide area and, together with her team, she keeps the rest of us informed and updated about issues we can pray for and become actively involved in. As part of her personal focus of activity, she is heavily involved in Burgess Hill Community Foodbank, she takes part in enabling the running of CAP courses (see details about CAP elsewhere on our website), writing letters, signing petitions (and encouraging others to do so) to our MPs and The Lords about developing legislation which is of particular concern to us as Christians.

Sharon is married to Mathew and has lived in Burgess Hill for many years. She enjoys swimming and loves crochet.

Pastoral Care

Annette has lived in Burgess Hill for most of her life and has attended Gateway since youth club days. After making a commitment as a Christian, being baptised and joining the church as a member, Annette has served over the years as Sunday school teacher, youth leader and as a home group leader. She has a heart for family and cares for the welfare of others.

Annette has two grown up children and five grandchildren. She has worked in finance, early years child education in and care homes. Recently retired, she now enjoys spending time with her family, swimming and crafting, as well as visiting members of the church family as part of her role as deacon leading the pastoral care team.