Earl Soham Baptist Church - who are we?
Jonathan (Johnny) Sullivan
Jonathan (Johnny) Sullivan claims to be a “local boy”. His family has been at Saxtead Mill since 1873. He was educated at Saxtead Church School by a wonderful Christian lady Mrs Broom where, “he larned how to talk proper Suffolk” and was subsequently re-educated at Framlingham College.
As a boy, the great American preacher Billy Graham who skilfully explained the stories of Jesus by making them relevant to daily life influenced him greatly. Suddenly Christianity was no longer a complicated religion but merely a step of faith.
Johnny has been married to the love of his life Phoebe for 37 years. He says that their Christianity and faith hit reality when their 8-year-old son Simon was killed in Saxtead Mill in the late 1970’s. It was there in the depth of despair they found that God is very real and works through the overwhelming kindness and help, which flowed from wonderful people, who live in these lovely communities.
Jonathan has been closely associated with housing and building all his life. In the late 1980’s he became concerned about housing provision for local people where escalating house prices forced so many out of the market. So no change here! In the early 1990’s he helped found Suffolk Heritage Housing Association and worked with caring local people who voluntarily gave their time and took risks including Earl Soham’s very own Commander Norman Woodcock.
He says, we raised £75million pounds and bought 5,272 former council homes to secure them for people in housing need. When he retired as Group Property Director of Flagship Housing Group earlier this year he was responsible for developing and maintaining 19,000 dwellings. From small acorns great oaks grow! He says that Jesus really understands housing problems because He too was poor, homeless and a refugee.
About 7 years ago Jonathan again working with local people secured a £1million grant to pioneer a charity known as HEART, a young persons Housing Employment And Rural Training project that is provided throughout East Anglia—see www.flagship-housing.co.uk. These are small rural foyers, which provide homes and training for local young people many of whom need rescuing from difficult circumstances. The superb staff at HEART provide loving care, support and life skills training. Initially he was surprised at the level of fierce opposition there was in some places about helping young people. However he was greatly encouraged by the help he received in this locality especially from people in Framlingham. HEART is now an award-winning project.
Since retiring Jonathan has gone back to his surveying roots and has started Miller Housing Consultants Ltd. His company deals with planning and building regulation matters and provides advice to the social housing and construction industry. He is a Board member on a local Housing Association and has been actively involved with Earl Soham Baptist Church with Phoebe for more than 25 years. Both their daughters work in social housing.
They say, “We love it because of its eccentricity and diversity, welcoming and accepting people from all backgrounds. The ministry is challenging and reminds us that our Christianity must be a 24/7 experience at the centre of daily living.”