Who runs the church?
Our church leadership team is lead by six trustees. They are supported in areas linked to spiritual direction and pastoral care by Steve Morley and additionally by our secretary, Margaret. They each take a lead in overseeing different aspects of the life of the church, working alongside each other but more importantly other members of the congregation to make sure that each of the activities that we run is as successful as possible.
Below is a table showing who is responsible for overseeing different areas of the work of the church and then a short introduction to each of us in the leadership team.
If you have any queries please approach one of the trustees, or contact us via the contact page.
Below is a table showing who is responsible for overseeing different areas of the work of the church and then a short introduction to each of us in the leadership team.
If you have any queries please approach one of the trustees, or contact us via the contact page.
Admin / Finance |
Pastoral |
Worship and Spiritual Direction |
Youthwork and Safeguarding (Inc. Adults) |
Maintenance |
Other Notes |
Ronke - Treasurer - Lifts - Stewarding |
Heather - DCF - Prayer Chain |
Colin - Worship group |
Ronke - Xplore |
Tim |
Margaret - Secretary - Sunday School - Xplore |
Heather - Booking speakers - Asst. Treasurer |
Colin |
Dave |
Tim |
John |
Jackie Lake - Coffee Pot |
Dave - Hall booking - Asst. Treasurer |
John |
Tim |
Safeguarding Dave: Coordinator Heather: Deputy (adults) Tim: Deputy (children) |
Dave |
Colin - Chair of Trustees |
Tim - Magazine - Website |
Steve |
Steve - Cameo (with Dawn) - Bible Study |
Heather - I became a Christian at the age of 16 after I’d moved south with my family, left all my friends behind and then my parents split up. I was contemplating suicide as I felt I had no-one. I’d attended a Christian church so knew that Jesus died to take away all our sins and that if you accept him into your life, you choose to live his way. As I thought about how to commit suicide, I felt God’s love surround me and gave my life to him. My life has had its ups and downs since then (house repossessed, marriage breakup, living in women’s refuge, divorce, being single parent …), but through it all God has looked after me. I started attending Laindon Free Church in 2004 and became a deacon there. When Laindon Free and Manor Mission joined back together I became a trustee.
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Colin - I was brought up in a Christian family and always went to church until I was about 16. I went off to university a couple of years later determined to move right away from God. Fortunately, He had other ideas and I soon had a very real encounter with Him. I don't recall anyone ever explaining to me whilst I was growing up that being a Christian is about having a relationship with God, not about a set of things you believe. I've been a Christian for nearly 40 years now and a church leader for nearly 35 of those years. My passions are teaching the Bible, so that everyone can see how it is still vitally relevant today, and playing in the music group.
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Ronke - I remember getting my first Bible when I was going to Sixth Form boarding school. The Bible had been booked marked to Psalm 27. I was not sure what being a Christian was all about then even though I had been brought up in a Christian household. The amazing thing was I would always remember to come back and read Psalm 27 whenever life got problematic.
After joining Manor Mission and deciding to take the Bible seriously, I went back to pick up my old Bible and guess what! I found it, but the page with Psalm 27 was very unreadable. You might say Psalm 27 brought me to become a born again Christian but it started on the Cross when God gave us all our special gift. Our faith does not always begin the way we expect. That still, small voice will never shout. God's methods do not change just because we are not ready yet. He is longing for our undivided and full attention. He wants to talk with us but He will not run to catch up. He will wait until we finally sit in silence and listen. Since then, many things in my life started changing. I have a respectful fear of God now and I know my identity in Christ Jesus. |
Dave - I became a Christian in 1975 aged 15 having been given a booklet ‘Journey into Life’ by someone at my School Christian Union. I had been to church but I never realised what following Jesus was really about. Everything made sense when I read it and decided to follow Jesus. I was a ‘bad lad’, so much so, that when I said that I had become a Christian they wouldn’t initially believe me. I haven’t been a perfect Christian - fortunately Jesus has never let me down and saved my life in a huge car crash and in a diving accident. Following Jesus can be hard and challenging but Jesus has never failed me and continues to walk with me on an exciting journey into life - the Jesus way.
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Tim - I became a Christian whilst at Primary School in the run up to Christmas. I wanted one of those mini Christmas trees for my bedroom, so my parents said if I went to church for a month and read a little booklet I could have one. The little booklet was 'Journey into Life' and decided when I read it that I wanted to be a Christian. After helping out at the church for a few years I went to Lancaster University where my faith deepened and I was given opportunities to serve and develop. When I came back from uni, I got involved again at the Mission and was invited to become a Trustee.
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John - Born in 1959 my family were not church goers, and contact with Christian organisations was through Scouts and Church Youth clubs. As an adult I was drawn to God through philosophy. The mental health issues which had been present for most of my life I brought to Jesus in 2016, and received profound healing in 3 days. I came to Manor Mission in January 2017 and was baptised the following November. In January 2019 I had the privilege of being asked to join the trustees, which I accepted. I hope that my experiences will help other sceptics to open their hearts to the Lord.
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Steve - Having moved to Basildon when our children grew up and flew away, my wife, Dawn, and I were welcomed into the fellowship at Manor Mission in 2015. We run CAMEO, the Wednesday afternoon fellowship group, and are part of the team that visits a couple of our local care homes. I have been an itinerant evangelist since 1990, which means that I travel all over Essex and beyond sharing the Good News and encouraging and training others to share that same Good News! We live in Basildon and love walking our foster-dogs. If you see us, say "Hello" to us and pat the dogs!
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