Meet the Team
Here you can find out a bit more about the staff and leadership of Maybridge Community Church. You can get in contact with the staff team via the website.
Bekah Legg: Bekah is Director of Mission and joined the staff in 2016. Driven by the belief that God’s intention is to see his people live free from abuse, prejudice and the confines of poverty, she is passionate about helping people realise their God given potential and leading the church to reach the least, the last and the lost. Bekah is also Executive Editor Liberti Magazine, an Ambassador for Compassion and speaks for Care for the Family. At home she is kept on her toes by five teenage girls and a husband, who occasionally dices with death by singing ‘The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow’ when he thinks she looks like she’s at the end of her tether; it rarely helps.
Matt Walmsley: Matt is Director of Discipleship and joined the staff in 2016. Matt was formerly Director of Student Ministry at Agapé UK, and has spent a lot of time helping people to get to know God better and developing leaders in the UK and Middle East. These are the things that make him get out of bed in the morning. He was once named 'UK Rising Theologian' by Christianity Magazine and the Evangelical Alliance, but has never had an original theological thought. He is married to Naomi, and they have a delightful young daughter called Anita. He lives in the constant hope that Liverpool will one day win the Premier League.
Phil Papps: Phil is the Operations Director for the church and leads on much of the behind the scenes work like planning and co-ordination. He joined the staff in 2005 from a background in education and management and also holds a degree in theology from Spurgeons College, London. Phil is married to Shirley who works in the church office.
Gay Jacklin: Gay is the Church and Community Worker leading on Worthing 4 Refugees, volunteer support and community involvement. She is part time and has done the majority of her work over the last 15 years as a volunteer. As a qualified teacher and experienced musician, along with her knowlegde of the local community, Gay brings these skills to her role as she helps people serve the church and those in need.
Jo Phillips: Jo is our Youth Worker having joined the staff in 2016 after a number of years working as a voluntary youth leader here at Maybridge Community Church. Jo's been a co-leader of the youth trip to Uganda with Tearfund and the annual pilgrimage to Soul Survivor. Previously Jo has lived in Africa and New Zealand, working as a critical care nurse.
Ruth Stanley: Ruth is our full time Children and Families Worker at the church. She has formerly worked in early years' settings and primary schools. She has been involved in leadership and children's work in churches for many years. She is married to John and has 3 children ranging in age from 6 to 23!
Julie Ward: Julie is our Parish Nurse who joined the staff team as a volunteer nurse for the community in 2015. After working as a nurse for the NHS for many years she's stepped out into this new ministry which is part of Parish Nursing UK.
The Church Office is staffed by Shirley Papps who works part time as PA to the leadership team and Chloe Satchell-Cobbett who leads on communications.
The Elders of the church are James Collier, Alex Stout and Wendy Longhurst. Their role is the spiritual oversight of the church (more details here).
The church Trustees are Greg Jenkins (Chair), Michael Jacklin, Steve Tucker, Tim Ransley and Chris Kronda and they ensure the church, as a Registered Charity (No. 1134489) is run properly so it can fulfil its purpose.