The Elders
Gwydion Emlyn
Pastor and Elder
Pastor Gwydion is married to Libby and became our Pastor on St. David’s Day – March 1st, 2017. He is a first-language Welsh speaker and is originally from Drefach in the Gwendraeth Valley, but moved to Llanelli at the age of ten. He felt the Lord was calling him to the ministry in 2009, so he obtained a BA (Hons) Theology from Union School of Theology. He was Assistant to the Pastor at St. Mellons Baptist Church, Cardiff for two and a half years before becoming the pastor here. His work is to preach the Bible, shepherd God’s people, pray for the Church, disciple the saints and share the Gospel of Christ with the communities around us.
Andrew Close
Elder
Andrew married Kath in 2006 and has two boys. He is originally from Barry, Kath is from Reading, but they’ve been living in Rogiet and attending Caerwent Baptist since 2007. He works as a Telecommunications Engineer and also serves as our Church Secretary. Andrew also occasionally preaches with us and at other local churches. Outside of work, he enjoys music, sport and supports Cardiff
Ken Foot
Elder
Ken has been married to Helen since 1970 and they have a son and 2 daughters, the younger being married to fellow elder Andrew Close. They have been living in Rogiet and attending Caerwent Baptist since 2017. In their former churches, as a deacon, Ken served as secretary and treasurer and now, long into retirement from accountancy, look to the Lord for his help in the role of elder.
Rob Ramos
Elder
Rob and his family live in Undy and have been attending Caerwent Baptist since 2005. Originally from Rhode Island, USA, he married Charlotte who’s from Magor and they have three daughters. Rob works as a Nuclear Engineer at Oldbury-on-Severn Power Station. He loves to read the works of the Puritans, serves as our Church Treasurer and occasionally preaches in Caerwent and other local churches.
The Deacons
Alistair Forsyth
Deacon
Alistair was born in Fife on the east coast of Scotland, but he and his wife Suzanne have lived in Wales for over thirty years and have been members of Caerwent Baptist for over 20 years – they have managed to keep their accents though! Alistair works for Tata Steel as a Project Consultant and serves as a Sunday School teacher in the church. They have a son and a daughter.
Chris Esbester
Deacon
Chris has been attending Caerwent Baptist since the age of eight when his parents moved to Undy. He now lives in Magor with Sarah his wife and have a daughter and a son. Since graduating from the University of Bath, Chris has worked in an industry specialising in Energy and Environmental Management. He occasionally preaches at Caerwent and other churches but serves as our Missionary Secretary and as a Safeguarding Trustee.
Staff
Libby Emlyn
Church Worker
Libby is married to our pastor, Gwydion, and became our Church Worker in August 2022. She accompanies Gwydion on visits, works pastorally among the women of the church, has responsibility for much of the church administration, teaches ladies Bible studies, speaks at evangelistic ladies events and is involved in a number of church groups and The Village Café which runs every Friday at the church.
Prior to becoming our Church Worker she was a secondary school PE teacher but felt God was calling her to ministry.
Libby grew up in Pembrokeshire which means she loves the seaside and looks forward to any opportunity to jump in the sea for a swim. She enjoys walking, baking and spending time with Gwydion and their dogs, Clutterbuck And Mabel.
Prior to becoming our Church Worker she was a secondary school PE teacher but felt God was calling her to ministry.
Libby grew up in Pembrokeshire which means she loves the seaside and looks forward to any opportunity to jump in the sea for a swim. She enjoys walking, baking and spending time with Gwydion and their dogs, Clutterbuck And Mabel.