Faringdon Baptist Church

Meet the team

We have a committed team at Faringdon Baptist Church - you can read about the team below:

Mark Greenwood Minister

Mark Greenwood - Minister

Mark joined Faringdon Baptist Church in November 2023, after 30 years working with BMS World Mission, including 22 years in Brazil and then a short period as a consultant for the Oxford Centre for Mission Study (OCMS). He enjoys exploring the Bible and what it means for us today, interactive preaching, pastoral care and visits, exploring faith with interested seekers and contributing to the life of the local community. Mark and his wife Suzana are pleased to be part of a vibrant, serving, witnessing church in Faringdon. They have a married son and a daughter. Mark loves cycling and football, cinema, music and speaking different languages.

Sharon Gerry

Sharon Gerry - Elder, with responsibilities for outreach

Sharon moved to Faringdon as an infant in 1962 following which, she and her family became part of FBC.  Sharon attended the local schools until 1978 when she went up to Liverpool to train as an Occupational Therapist, a profession that she pursued in the NHS throughout her working life. Sharon is married to Tim and they have three grown up children and four lively Grandsons. Sharon and Tim have been active members of FBC since moving back to Faringdon in the mid eighties and are committed to serving God and the local community.   Sharon enjoys lots of creative activities, music, DIY, walking – gently, and more recently working on their allotment. Her passion is to share the love of Jesus with the people around her.

Richard Boulter

Richard Boulter - Elder, with responsibilities for prayer

Richard came to faith at Reading University whilst studying agriculture. Later he joined FBC in 1987 when starting farming the family Organic Dairy Farm nearby. He is married and has three children and two grandchildren. He enjoys running regularly, researching history and reading. He is a member of the Good News for Everyone (formerly Gideons UK) and enjoys the opportunities to share faith and give out copies of God's word.

Andy Gatherpole

 Andy Gathercole - Elder, with pastoral responsibilities

Andy is married to Elaine and they have four children and two grandchildren. Following 31 years living in Norwich he moved to Faringdon in 2021, after retiring as a paramedic. He soon became involved in leading services and other aspects of church life. Andy loves physical challenges having completed, amongst other things, Land's End–John O Groats (cycling) and the London Marathon – both a long time ago! Recently he walked the Pennine Way and also continues to enjoy running and cycling. He is attempting to learn to play the ukulele.

Gemma Ashton

Gemma Ashton - Deacon & Church Secretary

Gemma moved to Shrivenham in 2010 and shortly after started attending FBC.  She is happily married to Mark and has twin girls.  Gemma works part-time for the Armed Forces Christian Union.  Outside of work, she keeps busy running round after the children, baking cakes and attempting to keep fit!

Michael Smeadley

Michael Smedley - Deacon & Treasurer

Michael originates from Swindon and has lived in Faringdon since the 1990’s. He has been a member of the church since 1993 and is married Libby and has two grown up sons, Dan, married to Helen with a daughter Esther, and Josh, married to Ruth.  Michael is a Chartered Surveyor and Arbitrator specialising  in property and estate management, he is also a trustee of the Baptist Building Fund.  Outside of work Michael enjoys cycling and running (slowly) and is a member of Gloucester Rugby club.

Zoe

Zoë Baker - Deacon, with responsibilities for sung worship

Zoë became a Christian whilst at university and was then baptised at a church in Swindon. She moved to Faringdon and started attending FBC in spring 2022, where she quickly became part of the worship team, playing the violin or singing, and now regularly leads sung worship on a Sunday morning. She works full-time for a cloud software company, which she does mostly from her home-office in Faringdon, leaving plenty of time for her two rescue cats and playing violin with the Radcliffe Orchestra in Oxford.

Angela

Angela Barrett - Deacon, with pastoral responsibilities

Angela moved to Faringdon 1993 and began attending Faringdon Baptist Church in 1994. She is happily married to Mike and between them they have four grown up children.  Angela was baptised in January 2002. Whilst attending an Alpha course in Faringdon during the 90’s, God’s word was brought home to her and Ardington Village Hall will always hold a special place in her heart as it was there that Jesus first spoke to her at an away weekend. Now retired, she enjoys reading, walking, flower arranging and sharing in the weekly Growth Groups.

June

June Parrott - Deacon, assisting the treasurer and secretary