The Church Leadership
Revd Mandy Rhodes
Minister
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Revd Amanda (Mandy) Rhodes became the Pastor here in September 2019, after being the Associate Minister at Dorchester Baptist Church, Dorset. She has been an accredited Baptist Minister since 2017. She has a passion for God’s word and sharing the love of God with people of all ages. She is married to Lee and they have two children, one who is now living in Belfast, and one who has just graduated from Salford University. She likes cake - and to compensate for that, she does a Parkrun most Saturday mornings!
Martine Barons
Church Secretary
Martine was elected to the deaconate in September 2024. Martine and her husband, Chris, grew up locally and attended Stratford schools. They met, became Christians and then married in 1981. They have 3 sons and 4 grandchildren. They both love God and wish to use their skills in God's service.
Martine earned her PhD in 2013 and works as an academic statistician at the University of Warwick. She is heavily involved in the mathematical sciences community, nationally and internationally. She co-founded and leads a workplace Christian group and is on the executive committee of the Society of Christian Scholars, a worldwide network of Christians in academic work. She works with Passion for Evangelism to develop her own and others' creativity. In her spare time, Martine enjoys powerlifting, performing musical theatre, gardening, singing (rock music and sacred), Steampunk, needle crafts, obstacle runs, writing slam poetry and creative cooking, especially baking.
Martine has taken on the role of Church Secretary and oversees IT / communications.
Sue Dartnall
Deacon
Sue and her husband Colin moved to Stratford upon Avon in 2000 where they have worked locally ever since. Sue responded to Jesus in November 2011 where she experienced His salvation, and over time, much freedom and healing.
By trade, Sue is a legal secretary but also fills her time by helping others where needed and is learning to serve in the capacity that God calls her into.
Outside of work, Sue also enjoys being part of several groups where they seek God, learn, support each other, and pray together. She enjoys reading and studying the scriptures, going for walks and having coffee with people she loves, and sharing Jesus. Sue has a passion for seeing people set free through what Christ made available to us.
Harold Frost
Deacon
Harold and his wife Dot moved to Stratford-upon-Avon in 2019. Harold is a Liverpudlian, as is Dot, and he is qualified as a Marine Design Draughtsman. It was during his commuting on the Liverpool ‘Ferry Across the Mersey’ that he befriended a Christian as they both journeyed to and from work in Birkenhead. He is pleased that as an 18-year-old apprentice he experienced the joy of salvation, and he has loved the Lord ever since. He has worked as a Technical Author, and been involved in industrial and mobile hydraulics design work. Harold and Dot have also had their own very successful business. They both really appreciate the Lord’s guidance throughout their lives and wish to honour God’s command to now use their skills in the service of others.
Jan Furlong
Deacon
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Jan started to attend Stratford upon Avon Baptist Church two years ago and joined the deaconate in September 2024. She is married to Ian and they have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. They are both originally from Liverpool and became Christians in their teens. After feeling God’s call to full-time work, they moved to South London for 4 years while Ian went to Spurgeon’s College in London to train for the Baptist ministry. After graduation they moved to Warwick for him to take up the post of minister at the Baptist Church. Several years later they moved to another church – although still in Warwick, where they stayed for 21 years. Jan worked as a District Nurse and then moved into the academic side at Warwick University and then Coventry University. She loves all things craft – sewing, knitting, textile art to name a few, and has in the past, used this medium to run outreach craft events. She is keen to see what God has in store as she starts this next venture for Him on the deaconate.
Malcolm McCulloch
Treasurer
Malcolm took on the role of church treasurer in March 2022 after being on the Finance team for many years. He was elected as a trustee in September 2023. He is part of the Mission Focus team and is involved with AMEN Trust, one of the mission charities that SBC supports. Since 2014 he and his wife Anne have helped to organise a Christmas shoebox collection in the local Stratford area. They have both travelled to Romania to help an AMEN team distribute these shoeboxes. Malcolm works locally at NFU Mutual and enjoys playing sport, walking in the countryside and gardening (especially growing vegetables from seed that they can then harvest).
Colin Voice
Deacon
Colin and his wife Fran moved to Stratford upon Avon in 2019 having served for 10 years as the Pastor of an Evangelical Church in Surrey. They have been involved in Christian ministry for over 40 years and are delighted to be able to bring something of their experience to SBC. They have two daughters and two grandchildren. Their daughter Naomi is serving the Lord in Zambia while the rest of their family live in Stratford and attend Holy Trinity Church. Colin’s interests are photography, drawing and arts and crafts in general. He likes singing, and trying his hand at a few musical instruments. He likes American Gospel and Country music. Spending time with family. Oh, and most things Disney.