Church Leaders

Associate Minister

Revd Fred Rich

Fred originally comes from Oldham, Greater Manchester, and comes to Leeds via Sheffield. He has a BA(hon.), and an M.Phil in Biblical Studies from the University of Sheffield, and an M.Th in Theology from Bangor University. He also has an LL.M. in law from the University of Leeds, and has completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in York.

Fred trained part-time at the North Wales Baptist College (Y Coleg Gwyn), Bangor for ordained Baptist ministry. He served as part-time minister in training at Laisterdyke Trinity Church (Baptist/Methodist) in Bradford during this time (2007-2009). Fred's main interests outside the church are music, reading and cars.

E-mail: frich@swarcliffebaptistchurch.org.uk

Church Officers

Church Secretary

Revd Anthony Ruddle

Tony was born at King's College Hospital, London; educated in Croydon before going on VSO and returning to the UK to work in the Civil Service where he met Maureen his wife.  After that he gained a BD from London University while preparing to be a Baptist minister at Spurgeon's college, worked as minister in FBC Dallas, Texas, for a year and then held 3 pastorates in the UK, the last in Grantham for 14 years.

He is currently Deputy Head of Chaplaincy at Leeds Teaching Hospitals where he has worked for 13 years and is also the Chair of ACC, which as an accredited counsellor gives him opportunity to develop the voice for Christian counselling nationally, while providing service locally through Pathways.  The delight of his life after Jesus as Lord is the family.

Church Treasurer

Mrs. Isabelle Freeman

Isabelle is married to Kevin, and they have three daughters. She is our church treasurer, and also leads the church Mission Group prayer and sharing meetings.

Deacons

Mr Kevin Freeman

Kevin is married to Isabelle, and they have three daughters. Kevin is heavily involved in the Mission Group.

Mrs. Linda Heaton

Linda has lived in Leeds all her life, and is married to Harry. They have three sons and two daughters. Linda has been a member of the church for nearly 10 years, and co-ordinates the children's work. She helps with our Tuesday fellowship group and Wednesday coffe morning. Linda also edits the bi-monthly church 'News and Views' magazine. She works at Grimes Dyke Primary School at lunchtimes.

Mrs. Yvonne Pace

Yvonne was elected as a deacon for the first time in 2009, having been in membership at Swarcliffe since the late 1990s. Yvonne is married to Steve and they have three children, a son and two daughters. She is our Home Mission and Baptist Missionary Society (BMS World Mission) representative, and is heavily involved in the church mission group. She also helps with monthly services at local sheltered accomondation.

Mrs. Maureen Ruddle

Maureen was born in Surrey, and is the wife of the Reverend Anthony Ruddle, who is a Baptist Minister and Chaplain at the Leeds hospitals. She has two grown-up sons and two granddaughters. She is also a trained counsellor.

Maureen has recently taken on the role of pastoral co-ordinator, so if you have any pastoral needs please speak to her as your first point of contact. She leads the Friday prayer and support group that is held at the church, and has an active ministry in counselling in various situations. Maureen also helps to run the Sunday club on Sunday mornings.