Meet the Team

Find out a little more about our team below

Leadership Team

The Leadership Team is made up of our Minister and our Deacons who are prayerfully elected by the members of the church. Together the team is responsible for the running and leading of the church both spiritually and practically. As a team they are accountable to the church members’ meeting.

Rev Ali Taylor

Minister

Heather Kelcey

Secretary

Isobel Easton

Treasurer

Hannes Gouthwaite

Assistant Treasurer

Laura Williams

Deacon: Worship/ Safeguarding

Sunday Akinlabi

Deacon

How We Run

The church is lead by the minister and a leadership team called deacons who are elected to serve in this role by the members of the church.

Members of the church are people who have made a commitment by actively partnering with the church.

Church meetings are the place where decisions are made and is the place of accountability for the minister and the leadership team of deacons.

The minister together with the deacons make up the charity trustees

Yardley Baptist church is a registered charity No: 1158755

Rev Ali Taylor

I grew up in Blackheath in South East London before moving to Gloucester in 2005. After a time working as a teaching assistant I then was appointed as Minister-in-Training at Kendal Road Baptist Church while I trained at South Wales Baptist College in Cardiff.

In 2018 I moved to Stevenage to become the Associate Minister of Bunyan Baptist before moving to Yardley and taking up the role of sole Minister at Yardley in January 2023.

I’m married to Andy and we have three grown-up children. In my spare time I love to journal and enjoy having a go at all things creative. More recently on Saturday mornings, as long as it’s not too cold or wet, I can be found at my closest Parkrun and, as and when time allows, I like to get out for a walk or explore National Trust properties.

In 2026 I published my first book entitled ‘Through the Valley: a modern lament on love, loss and relationship breakdown’.

This or That?

Cats or dogs?

I’m allergic to furry animals so despite loving cats I can’t have one – boo! I am thinking about getting a small dog one day that doesn’t shed its fur – but only when I’m retired and have a bit more time for walks!

Football or rugby?

Rugby all the way – I an ardent fan of the Cherry and Whites (aka Glawster!) 

Tea or coffee?

Tea is my preference. If you’re asking – I take it strong, white and no sugar thanks! But I am also known to enjoy a caramel latte or cappuccino around 11am.

Heather Kelcey

I was brought up in Suffolk, moving to the Midlands to study Pharmacy then coming to Birmingham to work once qualified.

I came to faith in stages during my teen years: I’d always felt sure there was a God and had an internal ‘hunger’ to know him. Beginning to read the Bible, and listening to Christian friends sharing their experiences of faith were instrumental for me in coming to know this God for myself. I was baptised at YBC more than 35 years ago and I’ve been here ever since!

In my leisure time I enjoy being outside, walking in the countryside or doing battle against slugs and the eccentricities of the British climate in my garden. I love trying new craft activities, but particularly enjoy sewing and making new clothes for myself.

This or That?

Cats or dogs?

Dogs- much as I love cats, I am allergic to them

Football or rugby?

Neither, if I’m honest. If I appear to be listening intently to a conversation about any sport, in my head I’m probably planning my next sewing project 

Tea or coffee?

If I’m out at a cafe, then decaf americano with soya milk. Otherwise, decaf tea. Or green tea. Or peppermint. Sometimes I skip the tea and just have hot water with milk. If I’m at work I skip the milk as well. The temperature has to be above 30degrees before it enters my head to drink something cold.

Isobel
Easton

Born in Bradford Yorkshire and raised in Bristol, I came to Birmingham to train to be a primary school teacher back in the day. After accepting Jesus as my saviour and being baptised at what was then Bordesley Green Baptist Church I attended various churches and even helped start one! There were many adventures, far too many to detail here. I got married along the way and had two sons, and have since been widowed. I lived and worked and ran a charity in Small Heath for a combined total of 42 years, and then in 2016 made the move to Yardley to support YBC and to live nearer to my friendship group during my old age.

I currently serve YBC to the best of my creaking ability in a variety of ways and echo the words of verse three of Amazing Grace : 

Through many dangers, toils and snare, I have already come; ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

This or That?

Cats or dogs?

Cats please – they don’t need walks 🤣

Football or rugby?

Neither!

Tea or coffee?

Coffee please!

Hannes Gouthwaite

Hannes’ bio here

This or That?

Cats or dogs?

Only a dog can be your friend, cats just see you as employee 😜

Football or rugby?

I’m afraid neither sport is of interest to me. I am very fond of (and have played) handball, but that is not a popular sport in England

Tea or coffee?

Tea – without milk. Adding milk is something I still have not gotten used to.

Laura Williams

I was born in Edinburgh but have spent the majority of my life in Birmingham!
I currently work as a teacher but have held a variety of jobs over the years.
My passions are encouraging and supporting people to be the best they can be and music; listening to it and playing it.
I am married to Steve and we have three grown up children.

This or That?

Cats or dogs?

I like both! If I could I would have dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles… 😁

Football or rugby?

I again enjoy both and I am an avid follower of Scotland when either team play. I am ever the optimist and will be found shouting at the TV when the national team are in action!

Tea or coffee?

Neither of these drinks will be requested by me. I have the unusual hot drink, it seems, of water and milk (tea with no tea, coffee with no coffee!

Sunday Akinlabi

I’m an electrical engineer with over twenty years’ experience. I’m married with three children.
I am a Christian with passion to serve the Lord and be a blessing to others.

This or That?

Cats or Dogs?

To be fair, I have no preference, but for my younger son’s sake I’ll go for dogs 🐕

Football or rugby?

Football

Tea or coffee?

My preference is green tea!

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Giving

Ways to give

Standing order or bank transfer:

Yardley Baptist Church B26 1AT
Lloyds Bank
Sort code: 30-97-78
Account number: 03298954

Cash, cheque or card

Place cash or cheque into the bag provided on Sunday mornings, or give by a direct payment using the church’s card machine.

If you have any queries, please contact the church treasurer via the contact form.

If you are a UK taxpayer and are able to gift aid your donation this will make your giving go further. Please speak to the church treasurer about how to set this up.

Yardley Baptist church is a registered charity No: 1158755

Contact Form

58th Birmingham BB & GA

Friday (During term time)

Anchors : 6pm-7:15pm – Reception to yr 3

Juniors : 6pm-7:30pm – yr 4 to yr6

Company : 7:15pm-9pm – yr 7 to yr9

Seniors : 7:15pm-9:30pm – yr10+

For more details contact Alex Rogers or Steve Green:

bb@yardleybaptist.co.uk

How to create an Encounter Group

First : you will need to find some other people to gather with and think about how often you plan to meet, whether weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

Second : you will need to choose a group coordinator who will organise the group meeting and be the link contact to the leadership team.

Third : you will need to make some choices

  • where and when to gather
  • how are you going to share fellowship
  • pick prayer mission focus
  • adopt a prayer style

Once you have made these choices…

Let Danny Sinnassamy know your rough plan, who is part of your group and who will be the group coordinator.

Once you have your group going it will be advertised in church so that others can join.