Church Leaders and Responsibilities

Baptists believe that, under God, the government of the local church is best done by church members meeting together in a spirit of prayer and friendship to discuss and agree on what God wants them to do. In a Baptist Church every member is encouraged to be involved and use their gifts.

The Church Meeting appoints the minister and a group of deacons to take responsibility for day-to-day spiritual and practical leadership of the church.

Get to know your Leaders and Deacons!

Michelle Gore – Church Administrator

Michelle’s main duties are to provide administrative support to the Leadership Team. She is also responsible for agendas and minutes of church meetings, communication among church groups, chapelyard administration and the hire of the church premises. She is delighted to be able to serve the Church family in this way.

Michelle is also involved in Sunday School and Youth.

You can contact her by telephone on 07989 558124, by leaving a message on the church phone (01487 843538) or by email michelle.gore@bluntishambaptist.org

Isabel Daniels – Deacon for Evangelism, Discipleship and Homegroups

Isabel has two children, Rachael and Joshua, and works for the NHS as a Divisional Quality Manager.  She joined Bluntisham Baptist Church in 1984 and was baptised there in 1989.

She has led many Alpha courses over the years and enjoys working alongside people to enable them to ask questions about the Christian faith and find a personal relationship with God. She supports and encourages the homegroups and is part of the preaching plan team.

Janet Harris – Deacon for Children and Youth

Janet moved to Cambridgeshire about 15 years ago with her husband Graham and now grown-up children Jack and Grace.

She became a Christian in her mid-twenties and has taken an active part in church life both here at Bluntisham and previously in Essex where she was born and lived until moving into Cambridgeshire. Janet has continued to play an active part in the service of God here at Bluntisham Baptist Church in a variety of ways.
She has been a secondary school teacher for most of her career but 10 years ago became part of the Youth Service with the Local Authority.

Janet says: “I am really looking forward to managing the children and youth work at our church. We have a tremendous group of all age young people, with willing members who teach and nurture them every Sunday. My vision is to support that work and extend it so that all our young people feel valued, respected and most of all want to follow the Christian way of life”

Katy Horrocks – Deacon for Worship

Katy has been worshipping with us since 2003 and immediately knew this is where God wanted her and her family to be. She is married to Mike and has two grown-up sons, Jack and Aaron.

Katy is a Deputy Head Teacher in Somersham, but when she’s not in the classroom she loves baking, gardening and playing the saxophone – but not all at the same time!

She has been part of the worship team for many years and is passionate about helping people to praise and worship our amazing God.

Malcolm Lee – Deacon for Pastoral Care

Malcolm lives in the Wood End part of the village having moved to Bluntisham in 1983. Married to Lynn with three grown-up children who have at last flown the nest. Malcolm works in scientific business development although he is trying to retire as church activities have become a major part of life these days.

Jill Slater – Deacon for Mission

Jill is married to Ian (ex-RAF) and they have three grown-up children, Richard and Jonni, who both live overseas, and Fiona, who has recently moved to Buckinghamshire with her husband and young son. They moved to Colne over 30 years ago, having previously lived in France where they were actively involved in a large multi-denominational, multi-cultural church.  They attended services in a number of churches before settling at Bluntisham Baptist Church, where they have found their spiritual home. Jill worked in finance throughout her working life, spending over 20 years in two Cambridge colleges. Although primarily an accountant by profession, her final role at Peterhouse involved the implementation of specialised IT systems for a variety of management functions. Although she is now retired, she retains a consulting and training role with Peterhouse. Her hobby is crafting and over the years she has made hundreds of unique cards for special occasions.

Jill is a member of the Meridian Home Group and is a regular helper at Little Fishes. She is keen to see more families and young people coming to church and playing an active part in church life.  The Church is involved in the work of a number of ministries and missionaries serving around the world; the Bible instructs us to support them (3 John 7-8) and so she welcomes the challenge of being Deacon for Mission.

Deacon for Fabric and Facilities

To be appointed, in the interim please contact Helen Thatcher by clicking here

Lucy Thatcher – Deacon for Fellowship

Lucy is married to Adam and has two children aged 4 and 7 years old (in 2023). She moved to the village in 2014 and was immediately welcomed into the church.

Although she is trained as a primary school teacher, she is currently a stay at home mum allowing time to get involved in our Sunday School, Holiday Bible Club and volunteering in the community. This also allows time for her passions of gardening and baking.

Peter Thatcher – Deacon for Finance and Personnel

Peter is married to Helen and they have three grown-up sons Nick, Ben and Adam. They moved to Bluntisham in 2010, immediately feeling a sense of belonging and purpose in both the church and village. “We truly believe that God brought us here for a reason.”

Peter is a Chartered Accountant, although has spent most of his professional life running his own business providing training in finance, business and management skills. In his spare time, when he manages to avoid the garden chores, he spends all the time he can with any or all of his three sons and their families. Still a lover of sport despite his advancing years, in the fine weather he can often be seen out on his bike, cycling the hills of Cambridgeshire!

Before moving to Bluntisham, Peter was heavily involved in the leadership of an ecumenical church in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire and feels that it is important that Christians work closely together to communicate God’s message.