The Revd Seyan Tills BTh
Seyan came home in 2009! He began his training at Spurgeon’s College, London and served the church as Minister-in-Training.
He grew up in Walmer, he was taught and later worked at the local Primary School, The Downs. He was baptised here at Walmer Baptist Church in 1982 having been a member of both children’s and youth programmes. He later served as a Deacon and was one of the leaders of the then thriving Youth Group.
After a number of years as Churchwarden of the local St Saviour’s CofE Church here in Walmer, he served as Pastoral Assistant in an Anglican Parish on the edge of Luton from 1997.
Moving in 2000, first to the American Church in London and then to Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church in 2003, he became Ministry Assistant at Bloomsbury in 2006.
During his time in London he served as Churchwarden at St Pancras Parish Church, he has been Chair of Governors of a Church of England Aided Primary School and Associate Governor of a local Roman Catholic Primary School. In both schools he has been a member of their leadership teams and has led school assemblies and been a regular and popular visitor to classes.
Uniquely, Seyan, whilst in London, became an active member of the Central London Branch of the Womens World Day of Prayer movement leading the annual Central London Conference for two years. He also spent a year as Deputy Leader of St Thomas’ Women’s Group whilst in Luton.
He served as Secretary of Churches Together in Westminster and has been a Managing Trustee of a number of small charities.
He returned to Walmer, recognising his passions for the theatre, retail therapy and international travel may be more challenging to maintain here, but is relishing the challenge that God’s call presents to serve alongside the present worshipping community and grow them both spiritually and numerically.
After serving as Minister-in-Training from September 2009, he was ordained on 19 May 2012 at Bloomsbury.. He was formally inducted as the church’s Minister on 10 June 2012.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2014 and a series of extended stays in hospital for leg infections and heart failure, increasingly impacted upon his ability to Minister effectively such that in August 2021 (after guiding the church through the COVID 19 Pandemic) he took early retirement on health grounds.
The Church invited him to be serve as a Church Elder offering pastotal and practical support as he is able and as required.