Meet the Team

We have a very experienced team, with a wide range of skills, who are able to assist church officers with the administrative aspects of church life. Our two paid members of staff, Gavin Oliver and Lou van Zyl, work alongside our Board of Directors who are actively involved in our ministry of serving the churches.

 

Gavin Oliver

Gavin Oliver is a member of Grace Church Rendlesham in Suffolk where he is an
Elder, Trustee and Church Treasurer. Most of his working life has been spent in
Management within the Motor Industry. He joined the Grace Baptist Trust
Corporation in June 2024 as the General Secretary to manage the day-to-day
operations ably assisted by Lou van Zyl.

Gavin was born and raised on the Suffolk coast, and now lives in Tunstall on the
edge of the forestry, an Area of Natural Beauty, where he enjoys long scenic walks
with friends and family. He is married to Sally and they have two grown up daughters
and currently three grandchildren.

Spare time is usually taken up by entertaining or being entertained by grandchildren,
as someone once said, “If I had known grandchildren were this much fun I would
have had them first.”

 

Lou van Zyl

Lou van Zyl was born and brought up in South Africa. She became a Christian in her mid teens when she came to understand and appreciate her sin, what Christ accomplished on the cross and the need to be right with God.

She has had a varied employment career, including working with animals and, most latterly, auto-id systems. She feels that God has used these experiences to help her realise what is truly important in life, and how she could be using the skills acquired to work for His Kingdom here on earth.

Lou is a member of Caterham Baptist Church where she enjoys working with children and teenagers. In her spare time she is normally to be found reading a book, trying to write one, doodling cartoons or enjoying her growing horde of younger relatives, courtesy of her siblings.