MEET THE TEAM
BEN MANSON - PASTOR/ELDER
Ben has been our pastor since 2016 and along with each of the other elders has responsibility for the spiritual oversight of the church, although he has particular responsibility for preaching and teaching in the church. Ben grew up in west London and worked as a secondary school teacher for eleven years before moving from teaching physical health to spiritual health. He went to study on the Cornhill bible training course before moving to Kesgrave in 2013. Ben is married to Nicola and they have five children. He loves all things sport, boating and plants. |
LYDIA BRETT - WOMEN & FAMILIES' WORKER
Lydia has recently taken up her role as a Women and Families' Worker for the church. She has lived in Ipswich since 2009 and is married to Nathanael; they have two young children. Lydia has a heart for families and women to thrive, and previously volunteered for a local charity, Family First. She is currently studying in Biblical Counselling. She loves to chat – especially over good coffee. Podcasts, cooking and spending time with family and friends are some of her favourite things in life. |
ANDREW CRANE - ELDER
I was born & raised in Ipswich. I started going to church in my early 20's and was saved in 1984. I am married to Allison & we have 3 children & 11 grandchildren. In 1987 my wife and I went to Northumbria Bible College and since graduating in 1990, we have served the Lord in various Christian ministries including: being missionaries in Kenya from 1992 to 1996, Assistant Pastor at Whitton Baptist Church from 1997 to 2001 and Pastor at Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunderland from 2001 to 2022. We returned to Ipswich in 2022 and have been part of CHRBC since then. I became an Elder in 2024. I still work part time in a local school, but outside of work and church life, I love spending time with my family, reading, walking, birdwatching & travelling. I am also a keen Ipswich Town fan. |
MICHAEL WOODS - ELDER
I have been a Christian for over 30 years and was born in Norfolk. Although I’ve lived in Suffolk for nearly 50 years, I still need a regular dose of the Norfolk landscape when on holiday, particularly the North Norfolk coast. I love gardening and have a small wildflower area to encourage the bees for pollination. I am a keen walker and love watching birds. I trained as an electrician and eventually went into teaching apprentices at Suffolk College. I am married to Peg and have two grown up children and 1 grandchild. Our favourite Christian retreat is Sizewell Hall where we can refresh our spirits and have a fun and relaxing time. |
