Meet the Team
It takes a team to run a busy church like Gilgal. We have a motivated and dedicated group of people on board to keep things running smoothly.
Currently the church diaconate is comprised of 12 members - 10 deacons, the pastor and our Associate Pastor.
To find out what each team member is responsible for, simply mouse-over the photo.

Rev Martin GillardPastor

Rev Martin GillardPastor
Married to Carolynne with two adult children. Senior Pastor since 2010, formerly pastor at Station Road, Orpington 1985-89, and Zion, Ebbw Vale 1989-2010. Chaplain to Bridgend Ravens RFC. My task is to honour Jesus Christ, and to help develop 'Word and Spirit' ministry in our church.

Steve LockAssociate Pastor

Steve LockAssociate Pastor
I’ve been at Gilgal for 6 years having moved to take up the role of Youth and Children’s Worker (later morphing into Associate Pastor!) I’ve been working in local schools taking assemblies and lessons, making Jesus better known in the community, as well as heading up a fabulous team of volunteers at church - helping ‘our kids’ to know Jesus better themselves. I have a passion to see our children and young people making a difference in their world.

Liz ReesChurch Secretary

Liz ReesChurch Secretary
I am Church secretary, responsible for all aspects of church administration. I am also a safeguarding trustee, worship ministry team leader, a member of the administration team and evangelism committee. I have been attending Gilgal for 20 years

John HornsbyChurch Treasurer

John HornsbyChurch Treasurer
I have been attending Gilgal since 1980, when I moved to Porthcawl. I have been a deacon for most of that time, had a spell as Church Secretary 5 years and my main role now is as Treasurer, with responsibility for looking after the church finances. I am also currently taking the lead on our building redevelopment project.

Gordon LoveringDeacon - Evangelism

Gordon LoveringDeacon - Evangelism
We moved to Porthcawl in 2017 to be near the sea and joined Gilgal! It is again a privilege to serve the Lord as a deacon, with the Evangelism Ministry Team as my main focus. This involves coordinating outreach - Alpha, Good Friday, Christmas, Elvis Weekend, in Trecco Bay - and generally trying to stimulate the church to "make Jesus better known".

Alison WestwoodDeacon - Mission

Alison WestwoodDeacon - Mission
I attended church as a child and have my parents to thank for a loving Christian upbringing. I started attending Gilgal with my family in approximately 2007, being baptised with my mother and youngest son in 2013. I am honoured to serve Christ and our church family as a Deacon and Mission Ministry team leader.

Caryl GillDeacon - Discipleship

Caryl GillDeacon - Discipleship
I’ve been attending Gilgal since about 2000, when I moved to Porthcawl with my parents and for my work. I led Gilgal Ladies Fellowship for a number of years and am part of the team that operates the Prayer Chain. For the last 2 years I have been the deacon with responsibility for Discipleship. I also alternate with Carolynne Gillard in leading the Friday house group.

Daphne HarrisDeacon - Pastoral

Daphne HarrisDeacon - Pastoral
I started attending Gilgal as a babe in arms with my parents and sister. I was baptised and became a member in 1967. Apart from some years living abroad I have been attending since then. I became a deacon in 2007 and lead the Pastoral Ministry Team. This includes the vestibule welcome rota, visiting team, church away days or weekends and social events.

Jacqui CroleDeacon - Community

Jacqui CroleDeacon - Community
I have been attending Gilgal for just over 8 1/2 years and am currently the deacon responsible for community activities and relationships. This includes initiatives undertaken with other churches in Porthcawl and liaison with charities and local authorities.

Alison FarrowDeacon - Administration

Alison FarrowDeacon - Administration
I have been attending Gilgal since 2011 and have been a deacon here for just over 5 years. I was ministry team lead for Communications for 4 years and have recently been appointed co-lead for the Admin ministry team. I work for the Message Trust Wales, so am also the church's link person to that organisation.

Eirwen HarrisDeacon - Mission

Eirwen HarrisDeacon - Mission
I was first taken to church at Gilgal at the age of 3 and have been there ever since apart from a 38 year gap in the middle when I was doing missionary work in Peru. Currently I head up the Missionary Ministry and I liaise with the various missionaries we support around the world, from Europe to Uganda to the Amazon region of Peru.

David RedhouseDeacon - Fabric

David RedhouseDeacon - Fabric
I have been attending the church since moving to Porthcawl in August 2017 and was appointed as a deacon in the spring of 2019. As such I am responsible for the fabric of the church premises. My wife and I have joint responsibility for one of the house groups. I have a keen interest in personal and professional development within the community that is Gilgal Baptist Church.

Cathryn HodgesDeacon - Communications

Cathryn HodgesDeacon - Communications
My husband John and I joined Gilgal in 2013, a year after we relocated to Porthcawl. I am responsible for all aspects of church communications, both internal and external. This includes our magazine, website, news sheet and social media presence. As a retired teacher I am also heavily involved with children, families and youth ministry.