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 thirty-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. After 23 years as minister in South Oxhey, near Watford, Steve, Clare came to Gateway at the very beginning of 2021.

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.

...Show MoreStarting 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!

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.

...Show MoreAlan 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.

Carol left home at 18 to train, under the ‘apprenticeship’ model, to be a nurse. Over the years she has nursed in plastic (reconstructive) surgery, burns and then in the community with an increasing role in palliative care.

She moved to Burgess Hill in 1994 with her family but later had to adjust to life as a single parent.  She was not a stranger to the church and Christianity but, through conversations in the early 2000’s, discovered there is a great deal more to Jesus than she formerly thought.

...Show MoreShe responded to the call to “Come and see” (John 1:46) and to “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19).  “The call to be a disciple of Jesus is a little bit like being an apprentice;” Carol says, “keeping your eye on the Teacher and following in where he leads.” GBC has been her spiritual home since 2003 and she has been actively involved since then, including serving a previous term as deacon for Social Action.  Carol has a natural concern for what is happening in our community and in society, and is good at communicating to the church, bringing to our attention matters of concern for us to pray for and to get involved with.Carol enjoys a walk, a talk, a dance, appreciates the big views of nature and it’s minute detail, and she likes visiting as well as being visited.  She has an excellent ‘have a go’ attitude to DIY which has produced some really good results (we won’t mention the others!)

As Deacon for Special Projects, Crispin gets involved in many aspects of church life, sometimes heading up management of events and courses, sometimes coming alongside others doing so.  His training and experience bring some special talents and skills to our work at GBC.

Crispin came to Burgess Hill in 1988 after studying Modern History at Oxford and marrying Janie. He enjoyed a career in marketing, including spending 3 years in Cape Town, South Africa, where they attended a Church of England in South Africa congregation and developed a deeper relationship with God.

...Show MoreReturning 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 years.  His wife, Janie, managed the Fish and Bricks preschool for twenty years.  Currently, they are part of the youth work team.  They have been running one of the house groups together for about 20 years. Crispin enjoys writing in his spare time – including the published Faith and Fortitude, an historical fiction about his twelve-times-great grandfather, John Rogers, the first Marian Protestant Martyr and editor of the first authorised English Bible.  He also enjoys table tennis at the GBC club, squash, padel and racket ball. Crispin and Janie have two daughters, now both married, and they have two young granddaughters.