Our Leadership Team
Our leadership team comprises of a pastor, 2 elders and 7 deacons, and our Church Administrator and Treasurer.
The leaders meet together monthly to discuss church business and matters of mutual concern and to support and pray for each other and the fellowship.
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Pastor - Rev Tony Ashley
We are delighted to welcome Rev. Tony Ashley to the GBC family!
Tony is a passionate and dedicated Baptist minister who brings 10 years of ministry experience to the GBC family. Studying Theology at Spurgeon's College, Tony graduated with a BA Hons in 2016, followed by accreditation 2019 in Pastoral Supervision.
Not only is he committed to spreading faith, love and hope, but he is also passionate about making music, singing, worship leading, telling stories through making videos, writing articles, appearing on podcasts and keeping fit - especially skipping!
Since joining us in November 2022, he has become an active member of the Independent Advisory Group for Essex Police in an effort to promote good relationships between the police and the community of Grays.
Tony is ready to lead us into a new era of faith and growth within the church and community.
Pastor - Rev Tony Ashley
We are delighted to welcome Rev. Tony Ashley to the GBC family!
Tony is a passionate and dedicated Baptist minister who brings 10 years of ministry experience to the GBC family. Studying Theology at Spurgeon's College, Tony graduated with a BA Hons in 2016, followed by accreditation 2019 in Pastoral Supervision.
Not only is he committed to spreading faith, love and hope, but he is also passionate about making music, singing, worship leading, telling stories through making videos, writing articles, appearing on podcasts and keeping fit - especially skipping!
Since joining us in November 2022, he has become an active member of the Independent Advisory Group for Essex Police in an effort to promote good relationships between the police and the community of Grays.
Tony is ready to lead us into a new era of faith and growth within the church and community.
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Elder Dai Franks
Dai was born and educated in South Wales. He moved to Essex in the early 1970’s to pursue his career as a Secondary School Teacher.
Dai taught Physics and Chemistry for nearly 20 years before moving to a Special School catering for pupils with learning difficulties.
During his teaching career he served as a local secretary and negotiator for a Teacher Trade Union.
Dai has been a Christian from his youth being brought up in a Methodist Chapel in South Wales. He joined Grays Baptist Tabernacle (now GBC) in 1973 following his baptism.
He was elected to the deaconate in Nov 1976 and became one of the first Elders to be appointed in Nov 1995.In the past Dai has taught Sunday School, led the Youth Group and was also Worship Leader.
Dai is married to Jane. They have four children and six grandchildren.
Dai is a keen sportsman having in his younger days captained Thurrock Teacher’s Football Club and later played rugby for Thurrock Rugby Club.
Elder Dai Franks
Dai was born and educated in South Wales. He moved to Essex in the early 1970’s to pursue his career as a Secondary School Teacher.
Dai taught Physics and Chemistry for nearly 20 years before moving to a Special School catering for pupils with learning difficulties.
During his teaching career he served as a local secretary and negotiator for a Teacher Trade Union.
Dai has been a Christian from his youth being brought up in a Methodist Chapel in South Wales. He joined Grays Baptist Tabernacle (now GBC) in 1973 following his baptism.
He was elected to the deaconate in Nov 1976 and became one of the first Elders to be appointed in Nov 1995.In the past Dai has taught Sunday School, led the Youth Group and was also Worship Leader.
Dai is married to Jane. They have four children and six grandchildren.
Dai is a keen sportsman having in his younger days captained Thurrock Teacher’s Football Club and later played rugby for Thurrock Rugby Club.
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Elder John Burt
John was born in Chadwell-st-Mary and was educated locally in Chadwell-st-Mary and Grays. After leaving school at 16, he worked as an electro mechanical engineer in a plastic moulding company for a number of years, and later as a field service engineer in office printing equipment, where he worked until he retired.
John started attending Grays Baptist Tabernacle in the late 1960s where he gave his life to Jesus Christ and was baptised. It was here that John met his wife Shiela and were married in the early 1970s and they have two sons.
John's Christian ministry initially started through working with the Sunday school and then through the church's youth work, which involved working as a Warrant Officer for the church's Boys Brigade Company. He later became the Captain of the Boys Brigade Company and had many enjoyable years leading and organising events such as summer camps, until the company eventually closed.
John has been serving the church on the leadership team for quite a number of years now where he was first elected as a deacon and then as an elder. John currently leads the Friday morning Bible studies at church.
Elder John Burt
John was born in Chadwell-st-Mary and was educated locally in Chadwell-st-Mary and Grays. After leaving school at 16, he worked as an electro mechanical engineer in a plastic moulding company for a number of years, and later as a field service engineer in office printing equipment, where he worked until he retired.
John started attending Grays Baptist Tabernacle in the late 1960s where he gave his life to Jesus Christ and was baptised. It was here that John met his wife Shiela and were married in the early 1970s and they have two sons.
John's Christian ministry initially started through working with the Sunday school and then through the church's youth work, which involved working as a Warrant Officer for the church's Boys Brigade Company. He later became the Captain of the Boys Brigade Company and had many enjoyable years leading and organising events such as summer camps, until the company eventually closed.
John has been serving the church on the leadership team for quite a number of years now where he was first elected as a deacon and then as an elder. John currently leads the Friday morning Bible studies at church.
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Treasurer & Volunteer Administrator - Sue Livermore
Sue has been a longstanding member of Grays Baptist Church and in her service to the church has been known to wear many hats.
Sue faithfully serves on the diaconate and is the church's Treasurer and Volunteer Administrator.
Sue loves to sing and is a member of Thurrock Gospel Choir.
Treasurer & Volunteer Administrator - Sue Livermore
Sue has been a longstanding member of Grays Baptist Church and in her service to the church has been known to wear many hats.
Sue faithfully serves on the diaconate and is the church's Treasurer and Volunteer Administrator.
Sue loves to sing and is a member of Thurrock Gospel Choir.
