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About our
Pastors
Pastor: Bob Forder
Assistant Pastor: Barry Forder
Pastor: Bob Forder
Bob began his Christian ministry in 1974 working with teenagers in
Deal, Kent, as a youth leader. This continued for 15 years and
during that time, with Maureen his wife, and other leaders, he took
many different groups of teenagers to Greenbelt Christian Arts
festivals and also ran house-party weekends for many years.
As part of the youth work he began a monthly coffee bar called Manna
House which gave Christian bands the opportunity to develop their
talents and also provided a place for people to meet with other
Christians. Many of these young people have since married and now
have teenagers of their own.
For a time Bob and his family were involved with ‘Galilee’ which was
a trust presenting the gospel through music to various venues across
southern England including prisons and cathedrals.
Some time later as a way of linking youth living in Kent together,
Bob and Maureen produced numerous issues of ‘Alive magazine’ which
contained articles written by some of the teenagers plus Christian
music reviews, Bible studies, current events, topical issues as seen
from a biblical perspective and a ‘what’s on’ section. He was also
involved in many other aspects of church life. He played drums in
the music group each week and led times of praise on many occasions.
He had, (and still has) a real desire to keep to the inerrant word
of God and he led numerous study groups. Through work contacts and
Christian friends he formed strong links with many sound Christian
ministries such as Creation Science Movement / Reachout Trust /
Barry Smith and George Curle (End times) and others. Also, his love
of the Word of God increased his understanding of the place of
Israel and the Jewish people in God’s plan. Throughout this time he
had a small recording studio, which was used to record tapes of the
church music group and also his family.
In 1992, after much prayer, he was led by God to form Deal Christian
Fellowship. At first there were a dozen or so who met in homes but
within a couple of months they began to meet in a school, followed
some years later to a community centre. Many vital lessons have been
learnt and Bob continued to seek God’s will for the fellowship.
By a series of amazing events, through the prayers of many, God
answered the request for a building for DCF. Another local free
church who had a building were praying for more people and God
brought us all together.
Seven years on, Bob is pastoring and teaching a committed church,
verse by verse and chapter by chapter, whose desire is to be taught
the Word of God and so it is yet another blessing that through
various contacts made in 2002/3 at a FACT conference in Portsmouth
he has linked with other pastors, mainly from Calvary Chapels, which
has expanded the resources available to DCF.
The church has now officially become part of Calvary Chapel. Bob and
Maureen have three grown up children Katie, Barry and Simeon, who
are all involved in the ministry at DCF and also have four
grandchildren.
Assistant Pastor:
Barry Forder
Barry was born and raised in a Christian family, in Deal, Kent and
attended a local church where his parents were actively involved
with both youth work and music so he became very accustomed to
church life.
He soon developed a love for God and a real understanding of what
the Christian life should be by studying the Bible for himself. He
played drums in church and in a band with other like - minded
Christians which led them to minister in local schools and other
venues.
As time went on Barry (and his parents, sister and brother) moved
church, led by a desire to study God’s Word in depth. They had
contacts with some sincere Bible believing teachers and had the
opportunity to attend the F.A.C.T. Conferences in Portsmouth (F.A.C.T.
is Fellowship of Active Christian Thinkers).
This heightened Barry’s love for the Word of God and has found him
to be a knowledgeable teacher in his own right now. He has forged
many links with other Bible teachers such as Pastor Ron Matsen,
Chuck Missler and numerous Calvary Chapel Pastors.
Barry often speaks at other Calvary Chapel Churches besides being
Assistant Pastor at DCF, leading Worship at DCF and leading the
weekly Bible Studies. He also ‘pastors’ Calvary Chapel Poole once a
month which is a fairly new addition to his busy ministry. Recently
he has co-hosted Cross Talk, which was a weekly programme on Genesis
TV with Pastor Ron Matsen which was a Q & A session following Ron’s
hour long teaching.
Currently living in Deal, Barry is supported by his wife Joy who is
a constant encouragement to him. They were both previously involved
with youth work at DCF; Joy is still a leader of the 7-11’s group
called Livewires. They have a little daughter Mahlah who is
naturally being brought up to know and understand about her Heavenly
Father.
Barry’s ‘tent-making’ is done as a business account manager for BT.
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