About Us » Who's who
Ben was brought up in a Baptist church in Dorchester. He became a Christian at the age of 9 and was baptised at 16. During his baptism Ben felt the call to ministry. Instead of embracing this, Ben ran in the opposite direction as fast as he could! 9 naughty years would follow. Ben spent most of his time running pubs for Greenalls and then Scottish and Newcastle and then working with adults with serious learning and physical difficulties and those suffering with various forms of mental health. Ben and Emma together went on an Alpha course and Ben came back to God and Emma became a Christian. A year later the call to the ministry returned, this time shared with Emma, and they trained together at Bristol Baptist College. Though full time at college, Ben did manage to get hands on experience, regularly preaching and having pastoral responsibilities at Harvington Baptist Church and East Street Baptist Church, Bristol. Canford Heath Baptist Church called them both as ministers of the church in 2008. Ben’s heart is for mission. His desire is to see those most vulnerable in our society meet with the unfailing love of Jesus. Ben is also a considerate and able pastor serving the needs of our church body.
Before Emma, known to us as Ez, became a Christian in her mid twenties, she worked with men and women with severe learning difficulties at Leonard Cheshire Homes. She continued this vocation with Poole Social services. After Ez became a Christian, Ez soon began to feel the call on her and Ben’s lives to full time ministry. Ez was baptised at Dorchester Baptist Church and then sent to Bristol Baptist College to train for the ministry. Ez studied Youth and Community Work with Applied Theology during her time in Bristol, and is a JNC qualified youth worker. She had placements at Harvington Baptist Church running a youth project, then Westbury Baptist Church with mainly churched young people and then Lawrence Weston Baptist Church reaching out to a deprived area of Bristol. Ez was called to Canford Heath Baptist Church as minister in 2008. Her heart is for the youth, those in the church, but also reaching the young people on the heath who so desparately need the love of Jesus. Ben and Ez were very proud to welcome Gracie into their lives in January 2010. Ez's main role is now as mother, but she also works very closely with our youth worker and is available for pastoral work.
Hello! My name is Carol. I have been a Christian for nearly 30 years, but drifted away at first, so really count it from the year of my Baptism, which is about 22 years! For me my Christian life is a continual journey, and I am constantly learning more about the heart of God and about myself. I have a strong pull towards social justice for all of God's people, and do my best to help support the church in this area.
Personally speaking, I have been divorced for 7 years, and have two lively sons, who keep me active and young(ish!). I have been attending CHBC since its inception, and was part of the 20 adults who planted the church from Longfleet Baptist. I enjoy dancing, cooking, walking, kayaking and more recently camping (well, when there are good loos and showers!)
Church
I have lived in Dorset since moving here in 1969 but it was not until 1987 that I became a Christian after attending Longfleet Baptist Church at the behest of my wife Diana. I was baptised at Longfleet and then was elected to the deaconate there and served as a deacon for 5 years. I was also involved in the church life at Longfleet through the childrens work with Diana and running a house group. We were also both involved with Crusaders in Wareham for many years where Diana was the leader. During that time at Longfleet the plant at Canford Heath was set up and although we did not initially join Canford Heath (but stayed at Longfleet and continued with the children’s work) we later joined when we felt that this was the place God was calling us to.
Since coming to Canford Heath I have continued to lead a house group and also for many years been involved with the PA. My other main task for the church has been the organisation of the last 2 church weekends away at Brunel Manor in Torquay, The last one being in February this year.
Now that I am retired from full time work I will have more time that I can offer to the church. I also feel that I have experience in a number of aspects of church life that I can offer to the church which is at present going through changing and challenging times.
Other history
I was born in Yorkshire where I spent my formative years until I went to Liverpool University to study Physics obtaining a B Sc in Theoretical Physics and then a Ph D in Theoretical Nuclear Physics. During that time I met Diana and we married in Liverpool prior to moving down to Dorset in 1969. Since moving to Dorset I have worked in research in the nuclear industry at Winfrith and recently retired from there although I continue as a consultant on a part time basis. We have brought our family of three girls up in Dorset. They all attended Longfleet before moving away as they married and set up their own homes. I now have 7 grandchildren to keep me in touch.
I was born in 1942 in Purley, Surrey, the middle of 6 children (3 girls and 3 boys). I became a Christian around my 16th Birthday. I am married to Jean and am the father of 4 daughters and 3 sons. My work was mainly in engineering including electronics and hydraulics. I am currently a church elder.
I became a Christian at a week long Methodist House Party in Torquay when I was fourteen. It was during one evening through the witness and testimonies of other Christians there that I realised that they had something in their lives that I did not have and thanks to them that evening I prayed and gave my life to the Lord.
My role at Church is that of 'Welcome Deacon' which is to head up a team that ensures everyone especially newcomers are greeted, made to feel really welcome and introduced to the life and various activities within the Church.
I have been a Christian for about 25 years having made a commitment at He’s Here in Bournemouth when invited to this event by a school friend. The nice thing was I went forward with my husband Mark and we both made a commitment at the same time.
We started worshipping at Longfleet Baptist church and subsequently felt led to join Canford Heath Baptist Church where we originally met in the Scout Hut before making the move to the church premises at St Paul’s.
My role involves arranging the church social programme and generally there is one event a month ranging from a quiz, to a walk and at the other end of the spectrum a barbecue on the beach on New Years Day. I don’t organise every single event and am grateful for the help of those who support me.
The social events are well attended and provide a good opportunity for outreach as church members can bring their friends and family along, all are welcome.
In addition I am involved in the church website and publicity generally.
During the day I work for an Insurance Broker and I am also the primary carer for my 90 year old Aunt. In my limited spare time I enjoy cooking which helps me relax.
I am married to Rob and have a 16 year old stepdaughter, called Rebecca, and a 14 year old daughter called Eleanor. I became a Christian when I was 12 on a Crusader holiday, as I was convicted of my need to have a personal relationship with Jesus and I was baptised at 17.
In 1990 I moved to Canford Heath and attended Chapel in the Valley Baptist Church and after a period of church absence I was led to the URC Church on Canford Heath, became a Church member and one of the leaders of Joyful Sounds, a URC run children’s singing and craft group. During this time I was also part of the Worship team and I led a housegroup on the Heath. The Lord’s provision for me was very special during this period and he taught me to rely on him in new ways.
I was the URC Church administrator for a period, however after our marriage Rob and I felt the Lord was calling us to worship at Canford Heath Baptist Church and we became members there the following year. I joined Rob in leading a housegroup after finishing teacher training in June 2006. I assist Rob with sound and visual presentations during church services, events and meetings. I have a heart for worship and would like to become involved again in the future.
I work for Children's Services and I enjoy keeping fit and any activities on or near the sea!
I am married to Iris and we have two children, Joanna (Jo) and Andrew. Jo is married to Nick and they have two daughters, Hannah aged 3 and Emilia aged 1. Jo is a pharmacist and Nick a building services engineer. They live in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Andrew is single and lives in Englefield Green, Surrey. He is a software engineer.
Iris and I have both retired recently. I worked as a legacy officer for the RNLI and Iris as a teaching assistant at Branksome Heath Middle School.
I became a Christian in 1967. I thought I was a Christian because I was brought up in a Christian home but I knew something was missing because God was not real to me until I went to a Billy Graham Crusade meeting and God spoke to me through him and revealed to me that He loved me so much that he gave His only son Jesus Christ to die for me on the cross so that my sins could be forgiven. I was completely blown away by that amazing truth and went forward to give my life to Jesus and receive God’s forgiveness.
I didn’t understand at first that being a disciple of Jesus meant letting Him have control of my life and I messed up my life as a result of making some wrong choices but God was faithful and never gave up on me. He has guided me along my spiritual journey and enabled me to serve Him in a number of church leadership roles including Treasurer and World Mission Co-ordinator. I am currently the Bournemouth prayer group co-ordinator of SIM (serving in mission) and Iris and I are involved in working in partnership with local churches in Hungary where we have helped to run English classes as a means of outreach. I was elected to the office of Church Secretary of Canford Heath Baptist Church in January 2011.
My hobbies are walking, reading and listening to music.
I was born in Caversham, Reading and immediately my parents moved toGreenford in Middlesex. When I was six I joined the Girls Brigade (then it was the G.L.B.), but to be a member you had to go to Sunday School. So I toddled off to join theSunday School at Greenford Baptist Church, where I stayed until I was 27.I accepted the Lord as my Saviour at 16 and was Baptised and became a fullmember of the church. I was also Married in that Church and had the Dedication Service for our
Children there.
Because of my Husband's job we traveled around quite a bit, to Oxfordshire, Hampshire and the to South Africa where we were for 22 years. The Lord kept us very busy there we joined a vibrant Methodist Church. There were several classes held for the South Africans and I joined the Sewing Class where I taught for many years. I was in a small music group that played once a month in the Church. I was also in a Housegroup and Bible Study Group.
After 22 years we felt that the Lord was telling us to return to England, and were very blessed at the smoothness of the move, which was a big transistion and wrench to leave wonderful Christian Friends. We were lead to C.H.B.C almost on arriving so we then looked for a home close to the Church.
We have been very blessed since returning and know this is where God wants us to be. I am now the Pastoral Deacon. We have such a "Great Big God" who is there for us always.
I became a Christian almost 40 years ago through the school Christian Union. It has not all been plain sailing though and there have been times when I have turned away from God, but He has always brought me through to a place of greater faith. I am married to Louise and have two children: Ben and Abi and I work as a software engineer. I am an elder in the church, which I take to mean that I am responsible for people's spiritual wellbeing and that I should support the pastor so that he can better do the work God wants him to do.