Who we are
Westwood Baptist Church has been in existence since 1964. We are united by a Mission : Deeper, Closer, Wider. We are led by our team including Pastors, Elders and Deacons.
OUR MIsSION
Deeper as Disciples
We want our church to be a place of rich, fertile soil that encourages deep roots of growth.
We want to help you mature in your personal walk with God.
Closer as community
We want to build community, it is part of our DNA.
We seek to build a close community… a family… a real fellowship where all the find the church to be a safe community place.
Wider in our Witness
As a church we want to share our faith. To share the good news about Jesus.
We want our church to be a light in the community, our workplaces, neighbourhoods and social circles.
Our Mission in detail
Deeper as Disciples
As Christians we should all be growing deeper in our relationship with God and such growth
is an ongoing life-long process.
God’s desire for his church is that it will be a place that encourages and inspires individuals
to want to grow deeper in their relationship with Him.
We long to see a developing sense of everyone in the church hungering for and recognising
their need to grow deeper as disciples.
Closer as Community
The previous area (Deeper as Disciples) was about providing everyone in the church an
atmosphere and opportunity to grow deeper in their Christian faith.
However, as Christian disciples we are not islands, concerned only with our own growth. We
are called to grow deeper within a community of faith. This community is so important, not only for us to be able to encourage one another to grow deeper, but because where Christian community is done well, it is a powerful witness.
True Christian community, operating like family, is a deeply attractive witness. So many people in society today feel lost, isolated and dislocated. The church should be the place, above all others, that demonstrates community… demonstrates family… that provides a place people can truly call home and become disciples themselves.
We long to be a community where people feel they have come home.
Wider in our Witness
The previous two areas (Deeper as Disciples & Closer as Community) have been about the
nurture and growth of the believers within the church, which is essential.
However, from the Bible references listed at the beginning, the purpose of the church is not
just for the care and blessing of the believers. If that becomes the sole purpose of the church
it simply becomes an inward-looking self-interested group of people. Although we seek to be a close community, to the point of being a family to one another, the previous two areas are not an end in themselves. The nurture and growth of Christians in the church is for the
purpose of them being strengthened to go out and share the blessing with those out with the
church. As Bishop William Temple once famously said, “The Church is the only institution
that exists primarily for the benefit of those who are its non-members.” The good news of
Jesus Christ is too good for us to keep to ourselves… it is a gift we must share with a hurting and unaware world!
We long to keep at the heart of our purpose, that we are here for those who do not yet know
the hope that Jesus offers.
Our People
Our Pastors
Rev Mark Pexton (Pastor)
I’m Mark Pexton – married to Maria. We have two grown up sons, now ploughing their own furrows, but both following Jesus!
I’ve been a Baptist pastor since 1999 (1999-
For Maria and myself, Jesus has given our lives meaning, purpose, direction and hope. I cannot imagine what my life would have been like if I had never come to know and follow him. Many people are under the false assumption that being a Christian is a really boring life-
We long for church to be a place where people can grow in relationship with our heavenly Father. Where people can deepen in relationship with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. And where people are encouraged to reach out to others to offer something of the hope and meaning that we have discovered in Christ. We long for church to be more than friendly… we long for it to be family. That when people are among us they feel like they have come home.
Rev Irene Campbell (Family and Community Pastor)
My name is Irene Campbell and in November 2018 I was called to my present post as Family and Community Pastor. I am the Sector leader for children and young people and I am part of the worship and prayer ministry teams.
I am married to John and have a beautiful daughter, Rachel, who is at University. I love to sing, dance and spend time with my family and friends.
Previously I was Depute Head Teacher in a Glasgow secondary school, in charge of Pupil Support and Pastoral Care. It was as great job as I love working with teenagers. I have a particular interest in using nurturing principles to support young people to be well physically and emotionally. I am a trained counsellor and for almost three years I was a liaison teacher with the Mental Health team in Glasgow doing individual and group work therapy sessions for young people experiencing difficulties with low mood, low self esteem, self harm, anger and eating disorders.
In the summer of 2017 I retired, but the rest that I anticipated was cut short as God guided me to enrol at the Scottish Baptist College and study for the ministry. I have been accepted for accreditation as a minister by the Baptist Union of Scotland and will be serving at Westwood.
Our Elders
Greg Fourie
Greg and Jenny arrived in Scotland, with their daughter Cassidy, in 2002, coming from South Africa where Greg had worked as a church pastor for nine years. They joined WBC in 2005 and their warmth, energy, enthusiasm and cross-
Greg’s favourite Bible passage is Ephesians 3;16-
Jeanne Neal
Jeanne has been part of the Westwood Baptist fellowship since she married Andy and moved to East Kilbride – where she began her teaching career. At this time she and Andy led the Youth Fellowship and the Youth Club and when their children, Juliet and Mark, were young she was involved with the children’s work.
Once Juliet and Mark were established at secondary school Jeanne experienced a clear call into teaching Religious, Moral and Philosophical studies. She had the opportunity to set up the RMPS department at Uddingston Grammar which she led for 20 years, while supporting the school Scripture Union group and organising ‘Christian Focus Week’ outreach events. Meantime on the church track she led home groups and coordinated the transition to having a praise band lead the worship at our services.
On retiring from teaching she became involved in the work of Healing Rooms Scotland, specialising in the inner healing work and now continues that ministry through facilitating the Bible Society’s Trauma Healing Course.
Our Deacons
Alan MacIntyre (Treasurer)
Andy Neal (Fabric)
John Gray (Secretary)
Gavin Lynch (Projects Manager)
