Oliver Gross (Pastor)
Oliver is married to Naomi and moved to Bristol at the end of 2015, upon taking up the role of the pastorate at Buckingham. They have three children and live in Filton Park. Oliver trained for the ministry at London Theological Seminary before serving as an assistant Pastor and Pastor in churches in England and Wales. He has also worked as a driving instructor. As our Pastor, Oliver is responsible for preaching and pastoral visiting. He is eager to support the church’s various ministries, and to work with Bristol University’s and UWE’s Christian Unions in reaching out to students in the city.
John Norris (Elder, Church Secretary)
John is married to Ros and lives in Brentry, Bristol. He has been a member at Buckingham for over twenty years. He is retired, having previously worked as a Senior Manager for professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, which he joined following graduation from Bristol University. John has overall responsibility for the children’s and youth ministries of the church, including being the Ministry Leader of the Sunday School and Young People’s Bible Studies. John and Ros work together in a number of these activities, including being involved in the work with the Romanian Gypsy community. John is also a trustee of both EP Books and Evangelical Press Missionary Trust.
John has been a Church Officer for many years, becoming the Church Secretary in 2014 and was appointed as an Elder in January 2017. As an Elder, John shares the pastoral oversight of the Church with Oliver, as well as being involved with various forms of teaching, such as leading Christianity Explored courses.
Simon Benham (Deacon, Church Treasurer)
Simon is married to Sandra and they moved from Wales to Bristol at the end of 2001 after Simon completed his PhD and started a job with an aerospace company. They have a daughter and live in Bradley Stoke. Simon became a Christian at the age of 11 after hearing a Gospel message on the Prodigal Son at a church youth group and as a result Simon has always had a burden to reach out to young people/children with the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ. Simon runs the “Lighthouse” Youth Group with Paul Ayers and has recently taken on the role of Church Treasurer.
Jonathan Lewis (Deacon, Missionary Secretary)
Jonathan is married to Chris and they live in Nailsea. They came to Buckingham in 2005 and are involved in numerous church ministries. As a deacon, Jonathan is responsible for leading the church’s interest in overseas missionary activity. Chris is leader of the ladies group, and is also interested in working with students.
Alan Collins (Deacon)
Alan is married to Lucy and works for the NHS. They have two children: Alan, (yes we know it is the same name), who is an accountant in Exeter, and Heidi, who is a secondary school teacher. Lucy works as a learning support assistant in a primary school. She enjoys cooking and is involved with most catering events at the church. Alan is responsible for the practical maintenance of the church building and premises.
James Martin (Deacon)
James is the youngest Deacon, who started in June 2016. He works in Tax which he started after graduating from university. James first started coming to Sunday School at Buckingham as a young child with his uncle and aunt. After becoming a Christian as a teenager in 2006 at an EMW camp, he was later baptised and became a member of the Church. He is involved with several of the children’s and youth ministries including being a Sunday School teacher. He is involved in arranging events such as the annual Church Holiday and aiding communications by helping maintain the website.
Catherine Ayers & Sandra Benham (Ministry Leaders, Tiger Tots)
Sandra and Catherine jointly lead Buckingham’s Parent and Toddler group: Tiger Tots. Catherine and Sandra have worked together in a number of different areas of ministry, initially in the Young People’s meetings and currently sharing the teaching of the youngest Sunday School class. Catherine has worked as a Teaching Assistant whilst Sandra worked as a Secretary.
Both ladies have been involved in Tiger Tots from the start, having taken on the Ministry Leader role from Elaine when she returned to work. Catherine delivers the Bible stories to the tots whilst Sandra leads the choruses, nursery rhymes and craft activities. They are assisted by the rest of the Tiger Tots team.
Simon Benham & Paul Ayers (Ministry Leaders, Lighthouse Children’s Club)
Simon and Paul are the joint Ministry Leaders for the children’s club, LIGHTHOUSE. Like their wives, they have been involved in children’s work as a duo for many years, initially assisting in Young People’s meetings for secondary school age children as well as supporting several other children’s ministries within the Church. Both have children of their own and Paul is the Head of Art & Design at Clifton High School, whilst Simon is the Business Development Director for an Information Systems company.
LIGHTHOUSE is our new weekly club for children aged 9 to 12 years old. Held in the comfort of one of our homes you can enjoy: games, crafts, food, quizzes, cooking, interactive talks. Paul and Simon take a large part of the responsibility for these activities, being supported by a team of helpers from the Church. Paul is able to put his artistic skills to use while Simon’s enthusiasm for sports and games is always enjoyable for the children.