Our people
Oakwood Chapel does not currently have a full time minister or pastor, but is led by two Elders with a team of Deacons.
Elders
Our elders are Dr Martin Biddiscombe, and Mr Sathyam Pakala (Sam). They each preach about once a month in the morning, and lead one evening service a month, as well as sharing overall pastoral responsibility for the church.
Martin Biddiscombe
Martin has lived in and around Harlow since 1999, when he worked for Nortel in their London Road labs. He is married to Daniela and has four (mostly) grown-up children; their youngest son is currently studying for his A-levels. During the week, Martin now works for a very well-known software company, but isn't here to fix your computers or your children's Xboxes... Martin has been an elder at Oakwood Chapel since 2003.
Email Martin.
Sam Pakala
Sam has lived in Harlow since 2005, when he joined Princess Alexandra Hospital as a nurse in the biopsy clinic. He is married to Annie and has three teenage children, including a set of twins. Sam is now a specialist urology nurse in the NHS. Sam has been an elder at Oakwood Chapel since 2016.
Email Sam.
Deacons
Our elders are supported by a team of Deacons.
Diane Smith
Diane is our treasurer. She makes sure the bills are paid, sends our regular donations to missionaries & organisations we support, and produces our annual financial report.
Mike Hillyer
Mike, who was one of our elders until 2019, has particular responsibility for looking after the building. If something's broken, he probably already knows about it...
Sue Hillyer
Sue shares overall responsibility for our children and youth work with Stefania, and with Brenda, encourages members of the congregation to support one another pastorally.
Brenda Hunter
Brenda Hunter encourages people to support one another pastorally, and in particular, maintains the "mutual support groups" (of 6-7 people) who are asked to pray for one another.
Dimple Joseph
Dimple looks after catering, including for special events like our annual barbecue, the "fellowship lunches" we share several times each year, and generally making sure the kitchen is stocked with tea & coffee, and so on.
Stefania Faimer
Stefania is being trained up by Sue to take on the overall leadership of our young people's work.
Santosh
Santosh is our administrator. He makes sure all the rotas are kept up to date, produces our weekly notice sheet, and other behind-the-scenes jobs.