Richard Jones – Deacon
September 2026
What does the role of Children’s Ministry Deacon entail?
Overseeing a committed and experienced team of excellent leaders and helpers of the Children’s work, principally on a Sunday morning, but also in relation to the recently launched club for Xplorer age children held on the first Tuesday evening of each month.
How long have you been a Deacon and what have you been doing since you took on the role?
I have been a Deacon for over 20 years and involved with the children’s work for all of that time. I am a leader in Xplorers.
What are the age groups and names of the children's groups and what sort of things do groups do? When and where do groups meet on a Sunday morning?
We have a crèche for babies and children up to the age of 3 that is organised by Susie.
Kidzone 1 is for children 3 to end year one (approx age 3-5) and led by Nikki, Bethan and Helen
Kidzone 2 is for children school year 2 and 3 (approx age 5-7) and led by Sue, Corrie, Febe and Helen
Xplorers is for children school year 4 to 6 (approx. age 8-11) and led by Vicki, Tim, David and Richard.
Many others help across the groups for which we are truly grateful.
In all, we are blessed with 40-50 children each week where through stories, crafts and games the children learn about God’s love for them.
What is your vision for Children's ministry at BSBC?
The children’s work is to provide a safe and welcoming place on a Sunday morning where the leaders and helpers can support parents in assisting the children in their understanding of God, his love for them, how they can accept Jesus as their saviour, and how they can grow as Christians and as part of the church.
That the work and the children are seen as an integral part of the church.
That we have fun, nurture friendships, and the children look forward to coming to their groups on a Sunday morning.
What are the necessary requirements for anyone wishing to join the children's ministry team?
They have to share the vision for the children’swork and be happy to be part of one of the existing great teams. They need to have regularly attended BSBC or another church that can give them an appropriate reference, have a satisfactory DBS check, and sign the Volunteer Agreement confirming their agreement to the team aims and objectives.
When and how did you become a Christian?
I became a Christian as a teenager where I attended an FIEC church in South Birmingham where I was born and lived until my first job which was in London. It was in the youth group there that I met Helen, who I have been very happily married to for over 40 years.
How long have you been at BSBC and what was your church background before coming to BSBC?
I have been at BSBC since moving to Stansted Mountfitchet in 2001. We moved here from Norfolk where we lived for six years and attended a Baptist Church in Norwich. Before that Helen and I lived in Dartford when we first married, and then Bexley, where we attended an independent evangelical church for 13 years. Before we married, we were members of the FIEC church in Birmingham where I became a Christian.
Tell us a few interesting things about you…hobbies? Other volunteer roles outside the Church?
We have four children, who are all now in their 30s and have left home. My daughter, as well as our twin boys, all live in London, and our youngest son lives in Manchester. They are all wonderful, have partners whowe also love dearly, and we enjoy getting together with them.
I am a season ticket holder at Norwich City. Hence why I have concerns over my Christian brothers Michael Talbot and Martin Gill (who support Ipswich!).
I have a keen interest in listening to music, both recorded and seeing live acts.
I am a Trustee (along with Tracy Moreton) at World Outreach UK who look to evangelise the unreachedpeople groups of the world.
I am also a Trustee of TouchPoint, a Stansted based community wellbeing charity.
What do you do outside the Church?
10 years ago, I left my full-time role as Managing Director of UK Real Estate at a London based Fund Managers, since when I have worked part-time in various property related Non-Executive Directorand Consultancy roles.
Is there anything we can pray about for you and/or your role?
That we remain focused on our objectives for the Children’s work at BSBC.
For the children moving up a group this September, particularly the 10 moving from Xplorers to Impact as they also move from primary to senior school.
Wisdom for how we can best serve the increasing number of children coming to us who have additional needs.