The minister is the person who leads the church, and is normally the first point of contact most people will have with the church. Apart from preaching on Sundays, the minister will be involved in marriages, funerals, baptisms and connecting with other community organisations.

We are currently without a full-time minister and during this time Mike Jones will act as our interim minister. Mike is the minister at Oundle Baptist Church, who have kindle lent him to us during our interegnum. While continuing his duties at Oundle, Mike will also chair our leadership team meetings and church meetings. Along with the leadership team he will help the church on its journey.

Hello! I'm Barney, Youth Worker at Oakham Baptist Church, as of June 2011. Here's some spiel about me in case you're curious...

I've just studied 'Youth Work' at Coventry University for 3 years. I'm extremely grateful to OBC for taking pity on the smelly student they stumbled across and giving me a job, but aside from that, I do actually enjoy youth work. Young people are amazing little things, as I found out on a gap year programme with BMS World Mission.... I spent 6 months in a South African township in a team of 4, volunteering in a creche and an orphanage. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was inspired to be a Youth Worker.

Away from work, I love football. I'm one of the slowest wingers to grace the beautiful game but have the privilege of playing for my home church team, Enderby, in a Leicestershire league. Last year we won the cup!! Golf is a frustrating one, but I have now learned not to snap clubs and to use golf as an enjoyable way of winding down after a long week of little people picking on me! I also love food a lot (which is usually the reason I get picked on) but I have a lot to learn in the kitchen as I adapt to life as a decent human being. Music is another favourite thing I occupy myself with.

I'm also an outdoor geek. I like walking and biking so I enjoy living near to Rutland Water! I feel very settled in to Oakham and have really enjoyed the job since my move here. I'm passionate about seeing young people use their potential and living their lives well.. I love God and love to see young people live for him. I've told you lots about what I like and love, so to finish with, here are 3 things I hate: politics, heights and most of all, rats.

Elders are appointed by the minister in order to offer him or her support in their ministry. As we currently do not have a full-time minister there are no elders.

The secretary oversees the administration of the church, liaises with our partner organisations such as the Baptist Union and Evangelical Alliance, and generally keeps the church organised and running smoothly.

Michael brings a wealth of experience having previously served as the Church Treasurer and having been a member of the founding leadership team of an Anglican church plant. After many years working for Banks he changed career and spent a number of years with The Shaftesbury Society liaising with a number of Churches and social action projects in London followed by a period as Company Secretary of Latin Link.

His passions include photography, reading historical novels, playing badminton and watching rugby on TV.

Appointed: October 2011 (First Term)

The treasurer keeps track of all of the church finances and makes sure that we are spending wisely and not over-stretching ourselves.

Val is a committed member of the JUMP team, enjoying spending time with the youngest members of OBC. She is also a legal eagle having worked as a barrister.

Appointed: October 2011 (First Term)

Eddie brings a wealth of experience to the leadership team and is passionate about prayer. He is also responsible for the general up-keep of the building and oversees any building and maintence work.

Appointed: October 2010 (First Term)

Andy is passionate about worship and young people. She is the main point of contact for all child protection issues and during the interegnum is responsible for organising the speakers and Sunday services.

Appointed: October 2011 to serve for 1 year (Second Term)

Suzanne is an organiser extraordinaire, having taken the lead in organising Party In The Park and the church's cafe at Rutland Day as well as Operation Rudolph, one of Christmas community action initiatives.

Appointed: October 2011 (First Term)

Hello, my name is Diana and I joined the Leadership Team in 2011. I became a Christian after attending a Holiday Club at my church when I was 13, but I’m not going to tell you how many years ago that was! I am fascinated by God’s Word and really enjoy studying the Bible. The more I learn the more I realise I don’t know, which spurs me on to delve deeper. Prayer is very important to me, too, and seeing God’s answers continually amazes me. My faith has sustained me through a number of difficult patches during my lifetime and I am especially grateful to God for bringing me through a recent lengthy spell of ill health.

Apart from loving Jesus and my lovely husband, Michael, other loves in my life are watercolour painting, gardening, walking in the beautiful Rutland countryside, knitting and doing Sudoku and all manner of crossword puzzles.

Appointed: October 2011 (First Term)

Mark is a telecoms specialist and is a part of the church's leadership team. He is a music buff and can often be found hiding behind a multitude of keyboards, blasting out the hits. His hero without question is the keyboard legend Rick Wakeman.

Appointed: October 2011 (Second Term)

Neil is a plumber by trade and an all round handy guy to have around. He is passionate about young adults and music. He is the line manager for our Youth Worker and plays an active role in bringing Street Pastors to Oakham.

Appointed: October 2010 (First Term)

Hi, my name is Dan and I've been a part of OBC since 2000. During that time I've served on the leadership team for two terms and have lead worship, before taking some time out. I'm a bit of a technical whiz with a background in computer mapping, but when I'm not hiding in the balcony at church playing with all manner of technical gizmo's you can find me at the front of church leading services and preaching.

Along with my wife Kim, I help to oversee the small groups within the church, supporting the leaders and encouraging people to be part of these great groups.

I love to spend time with my family, either at the park or watching a movie. But if I really want to get away from it all, and provided it's not blowing a gale, I love to get out in my little boat at Rutland Water, but sadly that's not happened all that often. Oh well, there's always next year...

Appointed: October 2011 (First Term)