Simeon Baker appointed as General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Wales

The Revd Simeon Baker has been appointed as the new General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Wales (BUW), succeeding the Revd Judith Morris

The appointment was approved by a unanimous decision by the BUW Joint Council and has further been approved by the churches of the Union. 

Judith has served as General Secretary for 11 years, and retires in April. 

Simeon has 35 years of ministry and leadership experience in a Christian context, both on a local and a national level. 

Simeon was brought up in Drefach Felindre, Carmarthenshire, and was a pupil at Llandysul Grammar School. After working in IT and computing, Simeon sensed a call to ministry. This was followed by a period of training and ministering in Ruislip, London, before returning to Wales as minister at Bethel Baptist Church, Whitchurch.

Since 2012, he has been serving the Baptist Union of Wales as the Director of Mission. Simeon lives in Cardiff, with his wife Janet.

Bill Davies, the chair of the Appointment Panel, said, ‘Following a thorough and competitive recruitment process, it was decided that the Revd Simeon Baker’s name would be recommended for the role of General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Wales, to succeed the Revd Judith Morris. 

‘He has much broad and relevant experience to respond to the challenges and opportunities that are before us as a denomination.’

Simeon said, ‘It is an honour and privilege to be appointed to this role and I deeply appreciate the trust and support of the churches within the Baptist Union of Wales. 

‘As Baptists, we face many challenges but also significant opportunities for continued mission and ministry in Wales that invite us to be strong in faith and bold in action.’

He added, ‘In the middle of change, whatever our vision, strategy and structures, we need to ensure we treasure our people and shepherd one another. 

‘Buildings, structures, and finance will come and go but God's love will remain as we remain in His love. In the words of Hebrews 10:23: Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.’
 
Established in 1866, the Baptist Union of Wales has more than 300 churches in membership who are based throughout Wales in 11 Associations.

Within the United Kingdom it works closely with its sister Unions, the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB), the Baptist Union of Scotland, and the Irish Baptist Network (IBN). This is reflected in the Fellowship of Baptists in Britain and Ireland (FBBI).

BUGB has two Associations that work within Wales, namely the South Wales Baptist and North Western Baptist Associations. A number of Baptist churches hold joint membership with these networks, hence BUW's close relationships within areas of mission and ministry.