Rev. Elsie Fraser – Minister
I became a Christian when I was 10 years old and attended the Salvation Army in Glasgow. I grew up in an environment where serving God and other people was an integral part of my Christian life.
When I married and moved from Glasgow we began to worship at a local Baptist church. In time we were baptised and became members of Erskine Baptist church. We later with the support of the church moved to Berwick-Upon-Tweed where both Alex my husband and I studied for 3 years at Northumbria Bible College.
For several years we served in home end ministry with WEC International and moved to the Slough area close to where their UK Headquarters was based. Although our circumstances changed, we remained living and worshiping in Slough for almost 30 years. For 8 of those years we were at Slough Baptist Church where I was a Pastor.
We have 2 grown up sons and 2 lovely granddaughters and enjoy spending time with them whenever possible.
If you’re curious about the Christian faith, looking for a new church, or just interested to find out more about Littleover Baptist Church then please get in touch.
Sandra Henchliffe – Church Secretary
I was born and grew up in Burnley Lancashire.
At the age of eight I started to attend my local Congregational Church Sunday School and two years later I also started to attend morning services.
At the age of 22 I became a member of that church and became a deacon the fellowing year.
In October 1972 the church became part of the newly formed United Reformed Church and in November I was ordained as an elder.
I held several positions in the church, including secretary until I moved to Derby in 1999 with my late husband Clive. I then started to worship at Carlton Road URC.
In 2015 I started to feel that I needed to move to a church nearer to where I lived. We had already attended several services and events at Littleover Baptist Church where we had been made to feel welcome and part of that church, so it seemed that is where I would move to. I started attending LBC in January 2016 and became a member by transfer from the URC in June that year.
For the past few years I have served as Pulpit secretary and I have now also become Church Secretary.
Janet Aukett – Church Treasurer
I was born and grew up in Derby. Since I was a child, I attended a Baptist Church in Derby where I was in the Brownies and Guides and the Church was a great part of my life. It was there that I met my husband Danny. I was married and Baptised in 1965 by the Rev Arthur Bonser who was my mentor and friend and a great influence in my Christian life.
Danny and I spent three years living in the north of Spain. We travelled the world and had some great experiences and met some wonderful people. I enjoy Gardening and reading and have brought up three children.
We joined Littleover Baptist Church because, as we are living in Littleover we felt this church was calling us to be a part of the witness in our local area.
It is a supportive and loving church for all ages and the events I attend bring me closer to God. Now after the passing of my husband my role as a Deacon/Treasurer is to serve the church and its congregation and to support the future minister.
Graham Falgate – Deacon
I was born in Leicester and lived there until I left for Bristol University to read Theology in 1975. I was brought up in a Christian home, as a family we attended our local Methodist Church. The church was central to our family life. I attended Cubs, later Scouts and the church youth group. My sister attended Brownies and Guides and my Mum sang in the Church Choir. After graduating from Bristol University I came to Derby to take up my first teaching post in Mickleover Community School (now Murray Park School). I became a member at Queen’s Hall Methodist Church on London Road where Ann and I were married in 1984 and where later our four children would all be christened. A few years later I became a Methodist local preacher and preached regularly in the Derby and District Circuit. As our children grew older we wanted a church in the Littleover community where we now lived and found a warm welcome at Littleover Baptist Church. Our children enjoyed the church on Sunday and the uniformed organisations throughout the week (where I was persuaded to become a Beaver leader!). They are all adults now with their own children, all having a strong Christian faith. I hope to support our minister in continuing to make our church inclusive and welcoming to people of all backgrounds praying that in our church they will find love, fellowship and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Paul Gardner – Deacon
I first came to Littleover Baptist Church as an 11-year-old Scout. Little did I know that 13 years later I would be marrying the scout leader’s daughter at the same church. As part of my scout promise I promised to do my best to do my duty to God and the Queen. I continue to do my best for God and the members of LBC as I undertake my third period as a Deacon at the church. I only trust it is good enough for Him.
Born and bred in Derby, I was christened into the Anglican Church as a baby. I attended Sunday school and bible class at Saint Peter’s where I confirmed the promises made by my parents to serve the Lord. After our marriage we attended Queen Street Baptist Church in Ilkeston. In 1971 we moved to Thurso and became members of the Congregational Church there. I was appointed an elder in 1973, mainly because I was young and enthusiastic. That was a fun and spiritually uplifting time.
On our return to England, we looked for a church nearer Derby. We received a visit from the secretary of LBC with the message that he assumed we would be joining LBC and looking forward to seeing us on Sunday. I was accepted into membership in 1979 and am still here.
As a socialite I enjoy being on the events group which organises activities for both church and community. The Church has warm and welcoming congregation and there is always someone to chat with and receive support. I trust I shall be able to repay the faith and trust that has been shown by the members in asking me to be their servant.
Hilary Robinson – Deacon
I was born and raised in Allestree and dedicated as a baby at Littleover Baptist Church as my mother was a member. As my parents didn’t have a car, I went to Sunday school at the local Methodist church until I was old enough to get the bus to Littleover. I joined the young people’s group Eccles, which met after the Sunday evening service. Through this group I was baptised at the age of 15 and later became a member at 18. My husband and I were married at this church in the eighties and our children were also dedicated here. I enjoy being on the catering and events team and socialising in all the things that Littleover Baptist Church organises. I enjoy the fellowship that you receive at Littleover; there is always someone to chat to. I will try to fulfill my duties as a Deacon to the best of my ability and give my support to the minister.
Tony Salt – Deacon
I came to the Lord at the age of 17 during a Don Summers’ Crusade in Bournemouth and have tried to be faithful to Jesus since then. In my 20’s I lived in Dorset and played in a Christian rock band called ‘The Four Kingsmen’, but then moved for a few years to Wales where my faith was greatly strengthened under the ministry in a Welsh Presbyterian Church. During this period, reading the Bible convinced me about baptism and at the age of 29 I was baptised. Since then I have attended churches where believers’ baptism is practised.
My long career in software engineering required me to visit and live in cities all over the world, including 14 years in Germany, and I have experienced wonderful Christian fellowship in many countries. I met my Malaysian wife when I was sent to Kuala Lumpur for a year to implement a business project. More recently, before I retired, I was employed as a senior NHS manager. I am conscious that the word ‘deacon’ means ‘servant’ and I seek now to serve God and his congregation in Littleover Baptist Church.