Rev Andrew Cowley: Minister and Team Leader
Andrew is married to Rowena and they share their home with Jasper, the exuberant Jack Russell; they also have two adult children, who live in Hertfordshire. Andrew is passionate about his faith, his family, the local church, flying kites, golf and rugby union. He is committed to creativity and flexibility as the church plays its part in its community. Andrew has previously been in business and has worked for four UK Charities in a leadership capacity. He also brings wide experience in the UK, and further afield, of mentoring and encouraging other leaders in a commercial context as well as the Church and not-for-profit sectors. He has previously been a primary school governor and has been involved in the formation and foundation of two charities, and for eight seasons was chaplain at Watford Football club.
Ian Smith: Associate Minister (Part Time)
Ian is married to Andrea and they have two grown up children, Kayleigh and Harry. After a career broking in London Ian felt a call to ministry and studied Theology, Church Planting and Evangelism at Spurgeon’s College where he graduated with merit in 2005. Ordination followed and Ian led Stock Free Church for ten years. The last five of those were bi-vocational as Ian led the church and also returned to broking. In 2015 Ian was called to be Senior Minister at Billericay Baptist Church where he served for five years.
After joining the staff team at Leigh Road Baptist Church in October 2022 Ian was inducted as the Associate Minister in May 2023. Ian is passionate about the message of Christ being a life-changing journey and believes authentic preaching, worship and discipleship is essential in God’s mission. Ian enjoys his golf, motorbikes and West Ham United!
Hanli Bouwer: Children and Families Worker (Part Time)
Hanli is married to Wouter and they have two lovely children. She was born in South Africa, but moved to the UK in 2003. She has an education background and has been involved in Children's ministry for many years. Her role at LRBC is, according to her, the perfect combination of everything that she is passionate about - children, families and her faith. God knows what He has planned for this new role within the LRBC family and Hanli is excited to be part of His plan. She is involved with Bright Sparks, LRBC pre-school, Junior Church and many other great opportunities to get children and families involved in church life. She is also involved in events and projects to involve the wider community.
Christine Birch: Administrator and PA to Rev. Andrew Cowley (Part Time)
Christine joined the staff team in November 2018, working as a PA to Andrew Cowley. She loves Leigh-on-Sea and the sea, its changing moods and the surrounding area. Christine combines part-time work in the church office with work as a freelance translator. In her spare time Christine enjoys reading, music, photography and playing classical guitar.
Tim Willcock: Support Services Manager (Part Time | Voluntary)
Tim, his wife Sally and their three children have been part of the church family at LRBC for many years. They love being part of God’s church and are hugely grateful for the prayers, care and support they have received. Tim and Sally have contributed in many areas of church life including small groups, junior church and all-age worship, organising events and being a part of the leadership team. When Tim retired from paid employment he joined the staff team at LRBC to help with the practical side of running the church within the legal and compliance framework that charities such as LRBC have to operate under. Not the most exciting of jobs but one which is necessary. Tim and Sally enjoy meeting and eating with friends, walking the family retriever (coincidentally also called Jasper), holidaying in France and taking the occasional cycle ride, usually to find somewhere to indulge in a bacon sandwich. Tim still thinks he can play tennis competitively and hobbles round the tennis court to ever decreasing effect!
Jane Brookes: Facilities Manager, Regular Bookings and the Living Room (Part Time)
Jane thinks that Leigh is a fantastic place to live, everything is so convenient. She enjoys living by the sea and appreciates the community feel of the town, particularly the local shops and the many community events, such as the Leigh Art Trail which take place every year. She enjoys Leigh Road Baptist Church; meeting every Sunday here to worship God together. Jane believes God is personal and desires a relationship with everyone as individuals. Participating in the small groups at LRBC helps to encourage and build that relationship.
Jane strongly believes that the local church should be active in the local community, which is why she enjoys her work that now includes leading the work of the Living Room, at 191 Leigh Road.
Jane led the project known as BUILD which substantially improved and enhanced the LRBC buildings. Now, as Facilities Manager for LRBC she looks after the practical side of church facilites making sure all runs smoothly.
Lisa Sutton : LRBC Pre-school Manager
Lisa leads the fantastic Pre-school team at Leigh Road Baptist Church.
Her responsibilities at LRBC as pre-school manager are to ensure the provision of safe, high quality care and education for the pre-school children; to fulfil legal and statutory duties in accordance with Ofsted, Government and Local Authority requirements; manage the team of pre-school staff on a day-to-day basis. Outside of pre-school, Lisa loves spending time with and going on adventures with her 2 boys and husband Jake.
Martin Pawsey: Site Manager
If you visit LRBC then you'll invariably meet Martin. Who is always happy and eager to help. Martin is married to Jacq and they have two teenage children Lauren and Caleb. Martin's role involves opening up the premises and greeting the users and visitors to our facilities. Maintenance skills are also used to keep the extensive LRBC site in check. Martin also leads the Energize youth club with Jacq and other leaders.
Steve Green: Assistant Site Manager (Part Time)
The role involves opening up the premises and greeting the users and visitors to our facilities. Maintenance skills are also used to keep the extensive LRBC site in check.
Steve was formerley the front of house manager for the former Oasis Coffee House. Steve has 5 grown up children and a passion for sports, especially rugby union and cricket. Steve is a also a trained sign writer and is very arty. He has been a Fire Fighter, Milkman, Cook and Cartographer and is always around to help (when on duty).
Julie Eady: Financial Administrator and IT support (Part Time)
Julie is a qualified Management Accountant. She splits her working week between managing all the financial aspects of LRBC and being a self employed book keeper.
Her interests include Golf, wine and socialising. Julie is heavily involved in volunteering at the church and with its community work and is the Chair of Southend CAP Debt Advice Centre.
David Elcock: Creative/Community Work Coordinator and Tech/IT support (Part Time)
David's work at the church is extremely varied, he collaborates with the ministers and those providing spiritual content to enhance the creative communication.
David leads the churches community work and finds ways that the church can get involved in helping with events and causes in Leigh that will make a difference. He volunteers as a leader of the youth groups at LRBC and Blaze and supports the work of Love Southend, and the independent traders of our city through Love Leigh Road and Totally Locally Southend-on-Sea.
