Who's Who?
Dave Gregory
Senior Minister David arrived in Croxley Green in the summer of 2010, moving from Milton Keynes where he worked with two churches since 2001. Before training as a Baptist Minister, with his wife Carolyn and their two children he lived in Bracknell where he was part of the leadership team of Easthampstead Baptist Church. Dave has a background in physics and astronomy and in Bracknell worked in research at the Met Office and European Weather Centre for 15 years, specialising in how clouds affect weather forecasting and climate prediction. He continues to take an interest in science, offering talks on connections between science and faith, as well as weather and climate change to schools, churches and community groups. In his spare time, Dave takes an interest in history and different cultures, watching films and science fiction and reading an increasing diverse range of books from science fiction to ancient Roman detective stories. He cooks a lot – particularly Italian food – and enjoys sharing meals. He enjoys travelling and hill walking especially in The Peak District. He dislikes gardening and has given up trying to learn to play the guitar, but enjoys singing! David says, “When we arrived in Croxley in 2010, the church made us all feel welcome, and I hope that others will continue to discover a welcome here too. For me, Church is about being a community that helps people discover how Jesus shares their lives today, in good and bad times, with all the different pressures and demands people face with work and families, giving a purpose for living and hope for the future. Christians aren’t perfect people – we have successes and failures in our lives like everyone else. But through faith in Jesus, God’s Son, we have discovered that God loves us and helps us in our lives.” “Croxley Green is a good community to live in and I am glad to part of a church with a community focus. Back in 2010, we were about to move back into the refurbished buildings on Baldwins Lane that continue to help us to play our part along side others to build and strengthen the life of Croxley. But Church isn’t about buildings – it’s about building a community where God’s life and love are shared. We want that same life and love to flow from our lives to others, in Croxley and beyond, wherever life finds us – at home, school, college, work or in retirement!” Contact me at dave@croxleybaptist.co.uk |
Lisa Kerry
Pastoral Care and Families Minister I grew up in a Christian family in Nottingham, and decided to follow Jesus at age 6 on a beach mission holiday. I grew up in the church through Girls Brigade and Christian Endeavour, Crusaders and anything else my parents could think of to send me to! In my teens I began to discover what it really meant to be a Christian and I was baptised when I was 17. At 18 I moved down to the East End of London to train as a nurse at the Royal London Hospital. I was very involved in the Hospital Christian Union and I grew in my faith there, eventually taking on a leadership role. I married Alan, a medical student, and we moved around the country to Pontefract and then Southend as he finished his training as a GP, and on the way had our two lovely girls, Helen and Miriam. When they were 8 and 6 we adopted another daughter, who was 11. I loved being a Mum and a nurse and was very happy and fulfilled as a sister in Interventional Radiology at Southend Hospital, but began to feel God calling me into something else for him. I wasn’t keen on the idea of being a minister, but in the end knew I had to be obedient and so started my training at Spurgeon’s College while working in our church, West Leigh Baptist, and later at Hutton and Shenfield Union Church as a Minister in Training. I loved my training and work as a minister despite some very difficult times along the way. At the end of my training we explored where God might lead us and to our great joy we were called to come and serve at Croxley Green Baptist Church. We are excited about what God has in store for all of as we follow him together and make him known in Croxley. Contact me at lkkerry@aol.com |
Jon Bishop
Children and Youth Minister My journey to Croxley Green began many years ago. I had always been part of a Christian community - my Mum and Dad became Christians shortly before I was born and church therefore was always part of my life. I grew up with my family in Seer Green and we attended Seer Green Baptist Church for many years. It was there that I decided to follow Jesus in my early teens - although with hindsight I am not sure I completely understood this decision. It was not until a number of years later, while at University at Writtle Agricultural College that I began to understand what being a Christian actually meant. During this time I got baptised at my home church in Seer Green and now understood a little more what it meant to be a follower of Jesus - a disciple. I returned to college and completed my degree in Horticulture and then worked in Denham as a gardener. During this time I felt God was leading me into something - but I wasn't sure what! I started to run the various youth activities at Seer Green as a volunteer and found myself growing not only into the role but also and understanding of what God had in store. During this time I met my wife to be - Rachel - as she came to the church as part of a BMS action team (click here for more info on BMS) It was at this point too that I felt God calling me to give up the job I loved and say goodbye to plants and the outdoors and return to college to train as a youth worker. I did this at OASIS college in London and became the part time youth worker at Seer Green. To help make ends meet I took up another part time role with the Central Baptist Association as their Area Youth Officer (something I still do in a voluntary capacity). Through this role I discovered Croxley Green and ended up coming here for interviews for the role of Associate Minister. The rest, as they say is history and back in September 2006 - 8 years ago now, I became the Associate Minister for Youth. I have and continue to really enjoy my role here and have found God's blessing the work of the church in the area of Children and Youth. My heart is seeking to disciple and support children and young people on the journey of life and discovery. During this time I have had the privilege of seeing a number of young people get Baptised, take on mission trips and be called into serving God in ministry and life. I lead a brilliant team of beautiful people who continue to faithfully love and serve the children and young people of this community. My joy is seeing so many of them walk with and support the youth through the ups and downs of life, celebrating and supporting them and seeking to model Christ whenever they can. In the summer of 2012, my wife Rachel and I had our first Son, Noah who is absolutely incredible and gorgeous - even if I do say so myself! Ginny was born in February 2015. Contact me at jon@croxleybaptist.co.uk |
Further Information
If you have any further questions, please email office@croxleybaptist.co.uk. We will be happy to help you and will respond as soon as we can.
If you have any further questions, please email office@croxleybaptist.co.uk. We will be happy to help you and will respond as soon as we can.