Leadership Team
Gerry Straker - Pastor and Elder
Gerry is married to Catherine and they have a son, Jack, and two daughters, May and Izzy. The Strakers have lived in the West End since moving to the area in July 2008 and love their town.
Gerry trained at Oak Hill Theological College and was Assistant Pastor at Moorlands Church, Lancaster for 3 years. Before training for the ministry, Gerry worked for St John’s Lindow in Cheshire and prior to that he worked in university administration.
Gerry used to play a lot of sport, and still attempts running, cycling and football.
Jon Lindsay - Elder
Jon moved to the North West in 2003 for university having grown up in Yorkshire, and while he was a student he became a Christian. After graduating, Jon worked for Moorlands Church, Lancaster for two years, and then married Hannah in 2008. They have lived in Morecambe for three years, and love it! At Church by the Bay Jon leads the music and a Real Food group. He and Hannah love to hear God speaking through his powerful word, and are committed to helping people hear God's word in Morecambe.
Jon is a primary school teacher, which may just be the best job in the world. In his spare time Jon enjoys bacon, talking too much about football and music, and being outside; sometimes all at the same time!
Mike Gooch - Elder
Mike is married to Heather and they have a two year old daughter, Abigail. They moved to Morecambe in 2007 shortly after he left the Royal Navy submarine service to work at Heysham Power station.
While in the Navy, Mike was Church Officer on his submarine, leading services and Bible studies for the crew - a truly captive audience at 200 metres below the waves! He has studied on the North West Partnership ministry training course which has helped him learn how to handle and teach the Bible better. At Church by the Bay, amongst other things, Mike leads a Real Food group.
Mike, Heather and Abigail enjoy fell walking, gardening and Morecambe's superb sea front. He recently introduced Abigail to the world of camping at the Keswick convention.
Andrew Steventon - Ministry Trainee
In July 2011 Andrew graduated from Lancaster University and married Bethany and they moved to Morecambe - busy month! Now he is a ministry trainee at Church by the Bay, spending a second year better understanding and sharing the good news of the Bible and also wherever possible freeing other Church family members up to do likewise. Andrew loves learning from the Bible, living in Morecambe so near the beach and playing all sorts of games.
Bethany Steventon - Ministry Trainee
Bethany is originally from the Wirral but moved to Morecambe in July 2011 when she married Andrew. She graduated in 2012 after studying Film and Literature. Bethany is really excited about learning loads about God’s word this year and being able to share it with others. Bethany is also learning Jujitsu and how to knit, although definitely not at the same time!