About us
Our Leaders
Derek Punchard
Moderator
After preparing for Baptist ministry at Spurgeon’s College, Derek began his ministry in 1964 at Drummond Road Baptist Church in Bermondsey, part of the group of churches in fellowship with the Metropolitan Tabernacle. In 1968 he moved to Brazil where he served with his wife Joanna for 36 years with BMS World Mission, remaining there in ministry for a further 12 years before returning to England in 2015. He has been a founder member and pastor/moderator at Harpole Baptist Church since its reconstitution in March 2020. He has also been an associate minister (Baptist) at Church on the Heath (Kings Heath Northampton) until he retired from this role in February 2026.
Colin Wilkinson
Secretary
My name is Colin Wilkinson and I received the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour during my time at Nottingham University. The Lord has been so good to me ever since, all through many happy times and many challenging times. I live in the village of Harpole and feel it is right to worship at a church in one’s immediate community. So I love being a member of this church and I am so pleased that at last we can worship using the village Baptist chapel where the Lord has worked so many blessings and miracles in recent years. I believe this church has an important part to play in the life of this village. The chapel will form an excellent base from which to serve our growing community.
