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.  He worked with IT and Audio Visual Communications until being made redundant during the pandemic following which he took up study 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, nine grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild (so far!)  Rugby is an important factor across the Salisbury clan though that can get a bit tense during the Six Nations tournament as David is English and Carol is Welsh!

Church Secretary

Tim has previously served GBC in the role of Treasurer and as an Elder.  In early 2024, he was appointed as our Church Secretary and as Deacon for Administration.

Tim, Claire and their baby son, Daniel, moved to Burgess Hill in 1999, relocating from the West coast of Scotland.  GBC was the first church they attended in this area and the welcome they received, along with the support they have enjoyed over the years, has meant that they continue to see GBC as their spiritual home.  Their daughter, Beth, arrived two years later to complete the family.  Both Daniel and Beth benefited from the care, nurture and development provided by the Fish & Bricks team and are now making their own way in the world.

Alongside his involvement at GBC, Tim works as a Chartered Civil Engineer with National Highways, while Claire, who has previously served GBC as Office Administrator, is currently chair of the Fish & Bricks Management Committee as well as serving the church as one of GBC’s worship leaders. She is also a music royalty manager with Essential Christian and a member of the core team who lead and manage Spring Harvest.

Both Tim & Claire are passionate about the support, encouragement and fellowship aspects of GBC’s church family.

Finance

Alan became a member in March 2010 and was appointed Treasurer at Gateway Baptist Church in October 2024.

Since joining the church, he has been involved in the Children and Youth work and, for several years, led one of the Life Groups. He also serves on the Fish & Bricks management committee.

Alan was born in Dawlish, in Devon, and had a mere 7 siblings. They were brought up on a farm and had loving and caring Christian parents. With his wife, Jenny, he moved to Sussex, settling in Haywards Heath in 1979. Together, they have 2 children and 5 grandchildren.

Alan worked in the printing industry all his working life, mainly as an Estimator. He has an active interest in gardening and DIY and can often be found, tools in hand, working at the church premises. He watches and participates in various sports including Table Tennis and Pickleball.

From an early age, Alan served in his local church in various roles (with and without his guitar). His ongoing desire is to share the love of Jesus and to encourage Christians in their walk with Jesus in whatever role God calls him to.

As a committed member and leader, Alan is an enthusiastic participant in the work of Gateway Baptist Church

Social Action

Due to changes in the leadership team, information to follow.

Children

Due to changes in the leadership team, information to follow.

Youth

Due to changes in the leadership team, information to follow.

Special Projects

Crispin came to Burgess Hill in 1988 after studying Modern History at Oxford and (more importantly!) marrying Janie. He enjoyed a career in marketing, including spending 3 years in Cape Town, South Africa, with their then two young daughters. While there, they attended a Church of England in South Africa congregation and developed a deeper relationship with God. Returning to the UK in 2000, they came to GBC (then known as Burgess Hill Baptist Church) and have been active members ever since.

Crispin has been involved in youth work over many of those years, with Janie teaching in the children’s ministry, before joining Crispin in youth work some 5 years ago. Together they have run a house group for nearly 20 years.

Crispin enjoys table tennis at the GBC Table Tennis club, as well as squash, padel and racket ball. He also enjoys writing in his spare time, including the now published ‘Faith and Fortitude’, an historical fiction about his 12x great grandfather, John Rogers, the first Marian Protestant Martyr and editor of the first authorised English Bible.

Crispin and Janie’s daughters are now both married and they have two young granddaughters. Crispin has served as a deacon at GBC previously and in 2024 was appointed to a new role. As Deacon for Special Projects, he uses his excellent creativity and organisation skills to help put on events and courses for the church family, friends and the community.