Who We Are

Mark and Amanda Firmin

  • Bridge Community Church is based on the Chantry estate in SW Ipswich and led by Mark & Amanda Firmin.
  • "My burning passion is to see people find security, purpose and significance through an exciting relationship with God." Mark Firmin
  • In May 2001, Mark & Amanda finally moved to Ipswich from Colchester, having felt that God was calling them to pioneer a church there.
  • As well as leading the church, Mark & Amanda both have part-time jobs. They work with children and young people which keeps them in touch with the needs in the community.
  • Mark & Amanda have considerable experience in leading children, youth and adult groups. They have also led Alpha courses and street evangelism teams.
  • Mark & Amanda have the support of Plumbline Ministries International to help establish Bridge Community Church and receive help, guidance and training input from Simon Matthews, Team Leader of Plumbline Ministries International.
Passion for unity

  • Mark believes in the value of working with other churches and has some experience of this.
  • Mark currently meets with local ministers on the estate and from the town, to pray and work together. He is also on the management team of the Town Pastors (Ipswich) initiative.
  • Bridge Community Church is a member of the Evangelical Alliance and the Ipswich Partnership of Evangelical Churches.
The Firmin family and their interests

  • Mark & Amanda were married in 1988 and have two sons Elisha (b.1994) & Joel (b.1996) Joel has special needs; autistic spectrum disorder.
  • Mark enjoys badminton, walking, cycling and a good curry.
  • Amanda likes walking, swimming and cycling with the children. She enjoys a good curry too!!

Other members of the Leadership Team

Paul & Gill Butcher

  • Paul works for Suffolk County Council and Gill teaches at Sprites Nursery.

  • Paul’s role is varied in that he is a trustee, a regular speaker on Sunday mornings and heads up our logistical arrangements at Breakfast on Bridge. He is also great with the kids!
  • Gill heads up the prayer team and it is no surprise that she is good with the little ones.

  • They also share in the pastoral care responsibilities in the church.

  • They have three grown up children – Cathy, Jess and Tom. Recently, they became proud grandparents to baby Emma. When they are not busy with family, jobs and church, they like to go for walks, see movies and spend time in their garden oasis.
David & Emma Sansom

  • David is a Senior Personal Adviser at the Youth & Connexions Service, working with young people and managing a team of advisers.
  • Emma is a Cardiac Physiologist at Ipswich Hospital.
  • They have a little boy called William.
  • David has been with us since Bridge started and he was a single man back then!!
  • He is a regular on our Sunday preaching team and also a trustee.
  • David & Emma both have a great heart for young people and have been involved with our Youth Café.
  • They also have a pastoral and mentoring role.
  • David is a keen Arsenal fan and enjoys keeping fit at the gym.