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Simon Hudson, Senior Pastor |
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Suzie Willers, Family Outreach Worker |
Simon, his wife Lynda and their three children came to WBC in 2011 from New Park Road Baptist Church, London. Simon had previously worked as a chemistry teacher before feeling called to pastoral ministry. He trained at Spurgeon's College in London gaining an MTh degree focusing on 'eschatology' (the Christian doctrine that Jesus will physically return) for his dissertation. Simon became a Christian at the age of 5 and so is passionate about children's ministry and the simplicity of the Christian faith which is open to all.
As a minister, Simon's vision is taken from Acts 20:20 - to get the Christian message into homes on a regular basis - and so he is always willing to visit people to offer pastoral support and spiritual care. You can listen to his sermons on our resources page and, when time allows he blogs at acts2020.wordpress.com.
Simon is also passionate about football - playing, coaching, and supporting Blackburn Rovers! |
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Suzie joined the paid staff team in Sept 2020, working 8 hours per week during term time, across Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. She coordinates, supports and develops ministry to families (including our Toddler Group)
Suzie grew up in a Christian home and can’t remember a time she didn't know God. She was baptised at 16 and has continued to grow in her faith since. With husband Pete, she joined WBC in 2004, and they now have 4 lively children. As a family they like being outside, cycling, swimming, camping, going on adventures, and being creative (their house is very messy!) A Freedom in Christ course Suzie attended in her mid-twenties had a significant impact on her, re-aligning her identity as a child of God and deepening her understanding of God’s immense love for us all, which is something she likes to share with the many people with whom she comes into contact daily. Recent years have given the family testing times which have deepened Suzie’s faith in God. He is her Rock and Redeemer. |
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Sue Bright, Community Support Worker AND Designated Person for Safeguarding |
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Rhonda Sparrey, Youth Work Coordinator |
Sue Bright also joined the staff team in September 2020 in a volunteer role. Sue is helping us support the vulnerable and those struggling with mental health challenges. As part of this she oversees our Kintsugi Hope work and offers support to the Living Room. Sue will be working in this role on Mondays. Until summer 2024, Sue was also the Manager of the Didcot and Wallingford Area CAP Debt Centre.
Sue is the person to speak to if you have any concerns about the safety of a child or adult at risk. You may like to familiarise yourself with our safeguarding policies, but they can be summarised in saying if you have any concern whatsoever, make a quick note of what you've heard/observed and contact Sue straight away - she will be able to decide what to do.
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Rhonda joined the paid staff team in November 2020, bringing her experience and gifting in youth work to lead our wonderful team of volunteers supporting the young people and develop the vision for youth work at WBC. She is working 20 hours/week including time spent supporting students at Wallingford School.
Rhonda moved back to Wallingford at the end of 2009 with her husband Paul and their three children (having been away since 1999). She first made a commitment to Christ when she asked Jesus to be her friend aged 4. She was baptised aged 16 at WBC where since then her faith and love of God have deepened over the years.
Rhonda is passionate about helping others to connect with God in a deep and exciting way, and for them to know how much they are loved and valued by God and to know his amazing plan for their lives. Her other work and passion is dance and the arts. Rhonda is particularly passionate about using the arts to communicate stories and God’s love and heart for people. In her spare time, she loves spending time with family, friends and having adventures. |
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David Bright, FAITH Leader, Church Treasurer |
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Judith Payne, FAITH Leader, Church Secretary |
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Biography to follow. |
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Judith grew up in North Wales in a Christian home attending a small Presbyterian Church, often 3 times on a Sunday! She became a Christian as a young teenager, realising she needed to make a personal commitment and not just believe because her parents did. She moved to Wallingford in 1989, and started attending WBC, where she met her husband, Jon. They ran the youth club for the next few years. They now have 3 adult children. Judith has run parenting groups for parents of different age groups, bringing specific experience of parenting a child with special needs. She attends the Thursday morning Life Group, Breathe on Fridays, and sings in the worship team. She works part time for a local autism charity as an administrator, sings with Thameside Singers and walks her dogs, Lola and Lulu. She's always happy for a coffee and a chat! |
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Gale Parlett, FAITH Leader |
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Hilary Mackintosh, FAITH Leader |
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Gale was born in Eire and baptised and confirmed in the Church of Ireland. At 18 she joined the army in England and met a Christian soldier through whose testimony God challenged her to accept Jesus as her Saviour – as she did so the awareness of God’s love hit her with such force she had to be helped back to her quarters as if drunk! Gale's passions are prayer and to see God's people reach their potential in Jesus. Gale has been part of WBC since 1981 and has been involved in women’s ministry and prayer ministry, as well as using her extensive craft and upcycling skills to transform the building for holiday clubs and other events. She helps with Oasis, holiday club and Toddlers. She and John have been married for over 40 years. They have grown up sons and grandchildren. |
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Hilary became a Christian as a teenager through attending a school CU, but drifted away from faith after University. She came back to church when her own children were small, wanting them to be part of a church family, and be informed enough to make their own choice. She finally received her faith back during a powerful sermon on her first visit to WBC in January 2000.
She is enjoying a busy and happy retirement after years of teaching - and can be found at Living Room on a Monday, leading midday prayers on a Wednesday, running a Life Group for women who are "single at church" and organising the bi-monthly Oasis socials on Thursdays, at the Breathe 'meditation and walk' group on Fridays - and teaching Sunday School on Sundays! |
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Carol (FAITH Leader) |
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Graham Atkins, FAITH leader |
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Information to follow |
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Graham grew up in a Christian family in south London and made a commitment to Christ aged 10. After completing his A-levels and serving an engineering apprenticeship he felt a call to full-time work and attended All Nations Christian College for 2 years. Since then he has had a number of roles including writing and presenting radio programmes with a low-key Christian content. Following the breakdown of his first marriage in 1991 he worked as an administrator with the London Fire Brigade. This, together with a supportive church, provided a stable background in which to rebuild his life and his faith. In 2000 he took an administrative role with CMS and also met Gillian whom he married in 2002. They moved to Wallingford in 2007 when CMS relocated to Oxford but 2 years later he was made redundant. He then became a self-employed painter and decorator but Gillian’s illness meant he eventually had to step back from this. Sadly, Gillian died in 2022 but Graham is now very involved in the care home she was in, leading services and supporting the staff. |
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