Phil Barnard writes....

As with the local church, life never stands still.  People come and go all the time.  Especially in a transient place such as London.  So it is with the Regional Team!  As you all know, Lee Johnson is soon to begin a new position as Ministries Team Co-Leader at Baptist House - and Carol Bostridge is looking forward to her retirement in July.  With that in mind, the LB Directors agreed to recruit both their successors now.

We were very blessed by the quality of the candidates which applied for the positions - and thankful for the willingness of colleagues to submit themselves to the process.

Having made our decision, we are now pleased to announce the new members of the Regional Team....

Lucy Wright

Originally from Chippenham in Wiltshire, Lucy studied Theology at Bangor University in North Wales, and then completed her ministry formation with further studies at Bristol Baptist College.

She moved to London in 2009 where she ministered in Worcester Park, Southwest London until 2018, when she became the minister of Eltham Park Baptist Church in Southeast London.  

Throughout that time, Lucy has been involved in association life, serving on the Ministerial Recognition Committee for six years, and as the moderator of that committee for the last three. She also serves as one of the LB Directors. Lucy is passionate about encouraging and developing people into their gifting and calling within the Baptist movement. Lucy enjoys cooking, baking, reading crime fiction, walking (especially at the coast) and spending time with friends.

Lucy will be taking responsibility for the North East and Eastern districts and take on the roles which Lee held in respect of Ministerial Recognition, MITs & NAMs, and CMD.

Josh Kane

Josh Kane loves Jesus, music and football, and is known for his loud laugh and passion. He leads Mill Hill East Church, a community church focused on discipleship and helping neighbours experience the love of Jesus.

He has also been working for Innovista as Mission Development lead, training, coaching and inspiring leaders from under-reached and under-resourced communities, having previously led several mission and learning initiatives across contexts.

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Josh will be be staying in his role at Mill Hill and working part-time for the Association, taking responsibility for Lee's part of the Northern District and bringing input to our internship programme amongst other things.

Claire Nicholls

Claire is currently ministering at New Addington Baptist Church, having been called south in 2019 from Ramsbottom near Manchester where she was minister at Christ Church, a Baptist/Methodist LEP. Claire trained for ministry at Northern Baptist College and in her former life was a Maths Teacher in Derbyshire.

Claire is passionate about bringing people together, within and despite of difference. She loves to see our Baptist Family walking with and watching over one another to support one another to thrive, enabling the good news of Jesus to be brought to, and lived out within our local contexts. She is a baker of wild and wonderful things and likes a good walk and plenty of laughter. Good music makes her heart sing.

Claire will be taking on Carol's patch in South East and South East Thames. We are looking to obtain a manse for her somewhere in this area - do pray for us! She will also be taking a lead in our Justice Hub.

Concluding Thoughts

The start date for Lucy and Claire will be in April once they complete their notice period with their churches.  Do pray for Eltham Park BC and New Addington BC as they prepare for a ministerial vacancy.  Josh's start date is yet to be confirmed but maybe sooner depending on his circumstances.  We look forward to a new chapter of team ministry in London - and come with expectation for the Lord to do a New Thing again.  Please do pray for Lucy, Josh and Claire as they prepare to take up these roles, and for the existing team and staff as they go through this time of transition.