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, for nine years, as deacon.  He stepped down to take a break from leadership in November 2017 and was subsequently 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 YWAM (Youth With A Mission), helping to establish a new work in Ireland from 1983 to 1986, and then at the training base at Holmsted Manor, Staplefield, until 1992.  Coming then to Burgess Hill, God led them, very clearly, to GBC (Burgess Hill Baptist Church, as it was then).

David began his working life in the motor trade but, in the early 80s, shifted into IT.  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 but it can get a bit tense during the Six Nations tournament as Carol is Welsh!

Children

Children are full of energy and have brains like sponges. They learn best when presented with activities in a fun and varied way. At Gateway we give them the opportunity to do this within our two age-appropriate Trekkers groups. Through these groups, we aim to share God’s love and His word, and encourage the children to learn more about Jesus’ saving grace.

Worship

We seek to have various expressions of worship as we strive to ensure that all have the freedom and ability to worship God. As well as our regular musicians, who ably lead us each Sunday, we have a choir, formed in the closing months of 2006, which has had a very positive impact upon the town of Burgess Hill.

Social Action

When Christ walked this earth he both preached the good news about knowing God and met needs in very practical ways. Social action is sometimes about showing God’s care to people at a point of need. This can be achieved by being involved in local community activities e.g. FoodBank, Christmas Hampers etc. as well as running CAP courses to help those who need support with managing their finances.

Pastoral Care

The title ‘Pastor’ is given to the person whose primary role is, in Biblical terms, to ‘care for the flock’.  However, although we apply that title to the one particular individual who is the figurehead at GBC, that doesn’t mean we believe he is the only one carrying the task.  As a Christian fellowship, we believe we all have a part to play in this.  Our pastoral care deacon oversees a team who are the ‘first line of defence’ and will aim to try to ensure that no one with a need goes without the appropriate care.