Pastor Martin's Induction
“But they are diamonds… “
Martins Move from Uganda to Hailsham!
Martin Brown’s Induction Service at HGM: December 2025.
After working several years in Uganda, where Martin had met his wife Gudrun, Martin trained and worked in Child Health. In 1999 they moved from Sheffield to Germany where Martin worked with the MOD British Forces in Child Health for 20 years.
In 2019 Martin was made redundant and from Germany they moved to All Nations Bible College in Ware. His plans and expectations were that when he had finished at Bible College, he and Gudrun would go to back to work in Uganda,
However, instead of Uganda, they ended up coming to Hailsham! It was not what he had expected… or wanted.
Hailsham Gospel Mission (HGM) has been on Station Road, Hailsham, for 40 years when it became part of The Connexions network. It was a small active church with a Brass Band and boys Brigade work, however over time the HGM congregation became smaller, and older…
“We had visited HGM in May 2021, the building looked tired and old. The congregation was only 8-12 people. At the time I had no intention to go back and work there...” Until Gudrun one day said to Martin... “But they are diamonds…” “Um,” was Martins’ initial thought – “not with me!”
Much to Martin’s surprise, Gudrun and Martin moved to Hailsham in September 2021. He had been given a four-year contract by the Connexion Trustees to work as the Development and Outreach worker for HGM.
Initially there were three 3 ‘A’s to focus on. Get the building Attractive, Active and Accessible as a place of Christian worship and prayer. Working closely with Dave and Phyl Sweetman, - plus with a lot of help and effort of the congregation, the building has become attractive and active! In 2025 the HGM congregation has a steady 25-30 people. Having completed the four-year contract the congregation and Martin reviewed his role, and it was agreed that Martin be appointed as the Pastor.
On December 7th, 2025, HGM held
an Induction Service when Martin was made the Pastor of Hailsham Gospel
Mission. The service was led by Dave Sweetman and was attended by Trustees
David Lockett and his wife Lylyana, Elizabeth Gregory and Rev Simon Allaby who preached.
Sadly, this was also Simon’s “farewell” to HGM. (Over the last four years Simon
has made many welcome trips over to HGM to preach). The Induction service also
included surprise testimonies and prayers from Martin and Gudruns two
“Children,” Talitha (30) and Kaleb (28). This was a lovely surprise and great
joy to Martin!
Martin says it is still a surprise to be in Hailsham, but he has grown to love the town and the church; and sees that this is where God has led him and Gudrun to be. He is very thankful to Dave and Phyl for their support and encouragement and to the HGM congregation for all their support.
"Our aim for HGM is for it to grow as a place of worship and prayer, and to be an active local community hub with regular activities that are attractive and helpful. Martin feels this marks the start of a new chapter for HGM and is excited to see what God will do with HGM in the next four years."