Who am I?

 

Teaching science

From a background of no contact with Christianity I became a Christian at the age of 16.  I went from Manchester Grammar School to Trinity Hall Cambridge to study Natural Sciences eventually specialising in Organic Chemistry. I took the PGCE at Cambridge and moved from teaching practice to my first job teaching science and later Computer Studies under (now Professor) John Holman. After four years and a couple of minor publications I moved (with many happy memories) to study Theology at London Bible College.

 

Tunbridge Wells

I was ordained to Baptist Ministry in 1986 and became Assistant Minister at Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church under Rev. Philip Gathercole. I was particularly involved in establishing their Learning Centre which led to writing HELP 1 published by the Baptist Union of Great Britain in 1991. (See HELPs – resources for Christian Education.) I was also privileged to serve for two years as President of the Tunbridge Wells Council of Christian Churches.

 

Borehamwood and Elstree

In 1991 I became Minister of Borehamwood Baptist Church. During the next eight years we were excited to work with Elstree Congregational Church in establishing a church plant “Elstree Free Church - a different kind of church”, one of the few churches which holds its Sunday Services seated on chairs around tables surrounded by Monet prints. Elstree Free Church has always had a particular ministry with friends with Learning Disabilities. Meanwhile during 1994-1995 I was enabled to study part time for the MA in Aspects of Biblical Interpretation at London Bible College.

 

Brentwood

In 1999 we moved to a new challenge as Minister of Brentwood Baptist Church in Essex. This has given exciting opportunities for links with churches in Bulgaria and Uganda, and I have now visited each of those countries twice. In November 2001 I also took on the responsibility of Moderator of Churches Together in Brentwood and changed roles in 2007 to become Secretary.

 

North Springfield

The door has now opened for me to become Minister of North Springfield Baptist Church on the outskirts of Chelmsford in Essex. With a Welcome Service on 17th October 2010. The challenge to reach out to an estate of more than 10,000 people is both exciting and daunting! You can find more about North Springfield Baptist Church on our website: http://www.northspringfieldbaptistchurch.org

 

You can also follow what is happening on the Facebook Page for North Springfield Baptist Church and chat about Jesus at another new site www.peoplemeetinggod.org.

 

 

At home

My wife Ruth is now a Consultant with the Essex Maths Team working in schools across Essex.  We have three children: Lizzie has now graduated in Pharmacology from Cambridge,  Susie is studying Drama at Queen Mary College, London, and David is in the sixth form in Chelmsford. We also have a Golden Retriever called Sasha . In spare minutes I enjoy playing piano and guitar and doing all kinds of things with computers.

 

Other websites

 

I serve on the Steering Group of On The Move East, which facilitates missions where local churches gather together to offer free barbecue lunches to the community. Details can be found at

www.onthemoveeast.org

 

I also serve on the committee of the national Church Network for Gypsies and Travellers which brings together clergy and Christians working with Gypsy and Traveller communities. Details at

www.cngt.org.uk

 

For those who tweet, I can be found on Twitter: follow @pbthomas

 

For Facebook fans, my page is www.facebook.com/pbthomas1