New appointments in HEBA team 

The Heart of England Baptist Association has confirmed three appointments to its regional ministry team.

Adrian Argile will be the new Regional Minister-Team Leader, succeeding Keith Judson, who left at the end of September. 

Adrian has been a member of HEBA’s Regional Ministry team since 2007. In a document sent to the Association's churches, he said, ‘I have been delighted to be part of an Association that has shared my heart for growing healthy churches.

‘I am in full agreement with its mission, strategy and strategic objectives, although it is important to recognise that we are on a journey and each year we need to review and renew the objectives. My hope, as Team Leader, is to build on this work and especially see a deepening mission focus.’

There will also be two new regional ministers. One is Dave Ellis, pastor of Small Heath Baptist Church in Birmingham and a member of the Baptist Steering Group.

He said, ‘I am a pastor at heart who loves worshipping the Lord, with a passion for mission. Born and bred in Wolverhampton to Jamaican parents, I have been involved in the Baptist Church since I was five years old.

‘Vivienne and I celebrated 29 years of marriage this summer and we have 3 beautiful grown up children.

‘I've had the privilege of being the minister of two wonderful churches for 25 years and served on a number of Baptist, ecumenical and community groups over the years. Currently I serve on the Baptist Steering Group, the BU Council and as a member of Fresh Streams core leaders team.

‘My hobbies are spending time laughing with my family, playing music, writing and recording songs, learning new worship songs, going to concerts, reading and fishing!

'Finally, I am greatly encouraged by our Association's new two-year vision with its focus on mission and commitment to growth.

‘I look forward to working with my new colleagues and you as we seek to grow healthy churches.’

Dave will take up his post in January 2015. Also joining the team then is Alison Mackay, who has for the past 11 years been the senior minister of Leytonstone United Free Church in East London. She returns to the Midlands after being at Yardley Wood Baptist Church in the 1990s.

She said, ‘It is with great joy that I take up this new position as Regional Minister in the Heart of England Baptist Association.

‘I am committed to active community involvement and have been grateful to serve as a MET Police Chaplain, school mentor, and founder trustee of Leytonstone Youth Matters. I believe in ecumenicalism and finding creative and exciting ways to do mission together. I am passionate about matters of inclusion and discovering ways that can allow all people to encounter God’s love.

‘Most of you reading this will just want to know, what is she really like? Well. I asked my church folks to come up with words that would help me with this profile, this is what they said: She’s a grafter, a grounded theologian, a good listener, a compassionate pastor. I feel ready and enthusiastic to embrace this new challenge to be Regional Minister and am eager to give of myself to support our ministers and churches in whatever way I can.

‘I am really looking forward to coming back to the Midlands area, and getting to know the stunning scenery found here.’

Together with the Revd Barrie Smith, the Adrian, Dave and Alison will form the HEBA Ministry Team with effect from January 2015.

The Commissioning Service for the four Ministers in this new Regional Ministry Team will be held on Sunday 1 February 2015 at St Peter’s Baptist Church, Worcester.