The Church Leadership Team is made up of the Pastor, the Elders and the Deacons. These are appointed by the Church Members at the Church Meeting, and also act as the Charity Trustees.
PASTOR – MARTIN CEASER
Martin has been a Minister since May 1997, and a Christian since 1984. He has been married to Alison (Ali) since 1988 and they have three grown up children, two Grandchildren and a Border Collie. A life long Chelsea supporter, he developed a love for Peterborough United during his teaching career in the city, and is also a keen if not very good golfer.
Having trained at Spurgeon’s College, Martin has served in two churches before moving to Biggleswade – Pollards Hill Baptist Church in Mitcham from 1997 to 2007 and Crowthorne Baptist church in Berkshire from 2007 to the end of 2018. He has a passion for helping people understand that they are loved by God, that that love is shown supremely in and through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and for the Church, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to share that love to its local community through personal relationships, practical support and spiritual experience.
DEACON – ELLEN ANDREWS
Ellen has been part of Biggleswade Baptist church for over 10 years. Ellen is married with 2 children. She has a passion to see children grow in their understanding and love for God. Ellen grew up in a Christian family where she first learnt about the love of Jesus, before making a personal commitment and being baptised in the river Spey as a teenager. She loves walking, bird watching and all sorts of crafts.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR – ALISON ERTL
Alison works for Biggleswade Baptist Church as the administrator, and she also runs the food bank. She grew up in a Christian family and became a Christian as a child. She is married to Peter and has a grown up son, a lovely daughter-in-law and a bouncing grandson! She says she dabbles in many hobbies, none of them very well!
YOUTH LEADER and DEACON – ROB JONES
Rob has been involved in youth work for over 10 years… He has a degree in Youth and Community Work with Applied Theology. He is in charge of all youth activities for BBC and has a wonderful team of volunteers. He is married to Adele (who is also a youth worker!) has 2 cats (who are very lively!) and a baby (who is very noisy)!
He loves music, watching new TV series, films and doing card tricks!
ELDER – CLIFF ANDREWS
Cliff works as Supporting Communities Manager at Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, having previously worked for the Ivel Valley Countryside Project. He grew up in a small Christian fellowship in Somerset, coming to faith as a child, being baptised at 13 and leading Christian Unions at College and University. Cliff is married to Esther and has a son who is at university. Cliff enjoys gardening, DIY, running, and time away in the family caravan.
ELDER – GARETH GODFREY
Gareth moved to Biggleswade in 1995 from the north-east of Scotland and now considers this his home town. Having come to faith in his early teens, he has always tried to follow Jesus in his life. He is married to Helen and they have 3 children, for whom he is a wonderful taxi service. Outside of church and work, Gareth loves watching Rugby, Football and F1.
ELDER – MIKE SLADEN
Mike is retired but doesn’t feel old. He became a believer in 1969 just after he turned 19 – you can work out the rest! He was a primary school headteacher and a secondary school senior leader. He loves working with children with additional needs and cares about the disadvantaged and disillusioned. He used to play cricket and now spends leisure time watching it when not doing the allotment. He supports Manchester City, particularly when they are winning.
DEACON – JOHN INGREY
As a member of the Leadership Team at BBC for quite a few years, John has seen how through the ups and downs of church life the Lord has led and guided the fellowship to the opportunities we have now. He is a chartered mechanical engineer who thinks that the achievements of I K Brunel are still not fully appreciated and that steam engines really do have personalities! With a very patient wife, two sons, their families with 6 grandchildren, an allotment, a walking group, a shed and a greenhouse John is always surprised at how quickly time goes by!
DEACON – IBIM BANIGO
Ibim is an Author, Engineer, Science (STEM) Ambassador, Teacher of the Gospel and most especially Mum to two astounding young children. She is passionate about fulfilling God’s Purpose for her life and being part of others’ God-Purposed journeys. Ibim enjoys time outdoors, ideally around 20degC, natural flowing water nearby, fresh food will be great and certainly loaded with loved ones and laughter. Happy days! Smiles.
DEACON – CLARE BOTTERILL
Clare works as a teaching assistant at a lower school and is a member of the children’s work team at church. She also enjoys working at Café Mocha, the community cafe in Biggleswade town centre.
She is married with two children and has lived near Biggleswade for seven years. Clare became a Christian aged 13 through a friend inviting her to a youth group at church. Her hobbies include reading, boxercise, quizzes and following Arsenal FC.
DEACON – JULIAN THOMAS
Julian has been a resident of Biggleswade since moving here with his wife and two sons in February 2014 and has attended Biggleswade Baptist Church since taking his family to a service there later that year. Prior to arriving in Bedfordshire Julian has been a member of a church in Mallorca Spain and at a church in Welwyn Garden City Herts. Away from church he enjoys trying to keep up to date with current affairs, family social time, most sports events and in particular following Liverpool FC.
DEACON – YVONNE TOBIN
Yvonne has been a Christian for more than thirty years. In recent years she has moved to the Biggleswade area and started attending Biggleswade Baptist Church in September 2018. Her most recent accomplishment as a mature student at Oak Hill Bible College is attaining a Foundational degree in Theology and Pastoral Studies. She loves to teach the Word of God and encourage people’s growth in their Christian faith.
DEACON – KEVIN WILKES
Kevin is a senior consultant in software testing, working mainly in telecoms and e-commerce. He has worked with young people in and around Biggleswade for many years, and ran the youth club at the church for over 30 years. He is married with two grown up children and 6 grandchildren; he enjoys playing 5-a-side football, watching films and going on family holidays.