Year | No. of Church Members | Event |
1984 | 47 | Dennis Nolan became the full time pastor, having been lay pastor since 1981. The church adopted its first 5 year plan aiming for 150 members by 1992 |
1986 | 70 | Home Mission support to Battle Baptist Church stopped. The church bought additional land for development |
1987 | 86 | Dennis Nolan visited Nigeria and the church established a link with Bethania Church in Sibiu, Romania. Sunday morning service relocated to Claverham Community College |
1989 | 118 | The church appointed elders for the first time. David John appointed as a full time associate pastor (including time for ministerial accreditation studies). First visit of Gabriel Uche from Nigeria |
1991 | 155 | Manna House built and opened. |
1992 | 159 | Dennis Nolan became Sussex Baptist Association President. Ashburnham Bible Week began with Battle as one of the three sponsoring churches. |
1993 | 163 | Dennis Nolan became Sussex Baptist Association interim General Secretary |
1994 | 167 | David John was ordained and the church experienced the Toronto blessing |
1995 | 170 | A difficult year. Lots of criticism in the church, causing some people to leave |
1996 | 171 | Freddie Brookes was called to be pastor of Pevensey Bay. Three members also went there to support him. Glyn and Emma Moreton were called to all Nations Bible College. The church started a new Sunday congregation at 9 am at Zion Chapel |
1997 | 169 | Graham Horsnell called to be pastor at Woodingdean. Dennis Nolan became Conquest Hospital Chaplain and Chairman of Trustees of “Servants with Jesus” (an ecumenical women’s order). Mary Jones appointed as part time Office Manager |
1998 | 172 | Danny Pritchard appointed as a full time associate pastor (including time for ministerial accreditation studies) |
2000 | 180 | Review of young people’s ministry completed. Monica Cook called to be the part time Children’s Work Co-ordinator. Review also recommended that the church take on a youth work co-ordinator |
2001 | 196 | Eldership increased and “Vision to 2020” introduced |
2002 | 221 | John Southam called to be the full time Church Manager. Bayeux Centre built and opened as a base for mission and training |
2003 | 243 | Dave Mills became a student placement to work with the church’s youth. Danny Pritchard called to be pastor at Woodingdean. Week of prayer and fasting held to seek God’s will over Danny’s replacement. The Lord clearly said that the church should look from within for a new pastor |
2004 | 245 | Church members Francis Willoughby and Paul Downes, who are both ordained ministers, were called to be part time associate pastors. “412” youth congregation and housegroups started. Dave Mills called to be the full time Youth Co-ordinator. Church members, Fiona Gill and Kathy Lee started ministerial accreditation studies at Spurgeon’s College. Ashburnham Bible Week ended after 12 fruitful summers. |
2005 | 251 | Andy Garlick called to be the full time elder to oversee the church’s ambitious change programme (and lead the 10.30 am congregation and Children’s Mission). The church agreed to allow people to serve within the church, regardless of gender. Church member, Fiona Gill started her 3-year ministerial student placement at Battle. The church introduced: · an improved Pastoral Care system to ensure regular and meaningful spiritual contact with church members and regular attenders; · congregational leadership teams organised for the 9 am and 10.30 am Sunday congregations |
2006 | 254 (at September) | A challenging year. New Sunday 4 pm congregation started. A new Staff Handbook was introduced to help the Pastor and Church Manager manage their staff. Eldership increased by 4 people, including two women. The church played a key role in Mission 2006 to Battle, working along side other churches. A number of key church members left to be near family, for job reasons, or to support smaller churches. David Mills left his employment as Youth Co-ordinator. Fiona Gill asked to oversee the Youth Ministry while God’s direction is sought for leading the Young People’s Ministry (for 0 to 18 year olds) in the future. The church agreed to Kathy Lee having her ministerial student placement at Battle. |
| 2007 | 230 | At the end of 2006, having gone through a process that enabled church members to recommit to membership on an annual basis, the church retained 230 members with 7 more applications in progress during March. Paul Downes left his employment as associate pastor for small groups, with elder Geoff Haynes taking on this role of overseeing the organisation and teaching programme for small groups. In September there were 253 members. Neil Erskine started full time as Associate Minister with specific responsibility for Young People's Ministry. The church continued to give serious consideration to plans for further development of the Mount Street premises to give more large and small rooms as the number of people with whom we have regular contact increases. Steve & Rita Reading released for service with BMS World Mission. |
| 2008 | 220 | Fiona Gill and Kathy Lee completed their ministerial training and moved on to appointments in local Baptist Churches. The appointment of Neil Erskine did not continue following the six month probationary period. The annual re commitment to membership of members proved challenging to some and while we saw 12 baptisms and 21 new members several did not re commit. It seemed a year when several couples moved away for a variety of personal reasons. All in all it seemed a turbulent year. As the world entered a financial recession ideas for a significant builing project were put on hold. The year ended with Eva Boorman being called to glory - her membership having lasted since May 1931. |
| 2009 | | |
