Pam and Derek Cook retire this year after six happy years of leading the work at Blackmore Baptist Church. During their time with us the membership has grown from eight people to a Covenanted membership of forty six.

Derek will give his last talk on Sunday May 4th on the words of Jesus "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me." Then they will both take the summer off in the South of France!

 

The Church is delighted to be welcoming the Reverend Neil Blake as their new minister.

 

Thirty eight year old Neil Blake is married to Trina and they have one young daughter called Faith and a much older Jack Russell terrier. They will live in the Baptist Church House in Woollard Way and Faith is looking forward to starting school in the village.

 

Neil has had a varied career. He was a bus driver, ran a newsagents shop and then after a personal experience of meeting with Jesus Christ he decided to train for the Christian Ministry. He has been involved with Baptist Churches as a Youth Minister and for the last five years as the Assistant Minister of a large Baptist Church in Leighton Buzzard.

 

He is interested in archery, good quality films, loud concerts, chess, reading, second hand books, poetry, education, music and bread making. Sounds like a great husband! He is also a lovely, caring man. The church is absolutely thrilled to be welcoming him and believe that he and his family will be used by God in the work of the Kingdom in this whole area of Essex.

 

The family themselves are excited about their move here and Neil will take his first service on Sunday June 1st at 11am.