Maura Edwards joined the leadership in 2009.  She has been at BEC since 2005 following the family move to Largs.  Prior to this, she lived and worshipped in Glasgow.  Although Maura had been brought up to attend church, it was only in her 20s that she realised the need for a personal relationship with Jesus, and so became a Christian in 1993.

Maura is one of the worship leaders at BEC and also directs the church choir.  She undertook the Joshua Project course at Tilsley College in Motherwell between 2010 and 2012.  In 2014, Maura visited Albania along with others from BEC to see the work carried out at the church in Vlore and the children’s home in Gjirokaster.

Maura is a retired dental consultant who worked on national health improvement projects for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.  She is married with one son.

Jim Lamont is married to Renee and they have two grown up sons and two grandchildren.  Jim works for a large IT company.  Jim says, “My life changed when I became a Christian in 1995 and it’s fantastic to know that despite me, God loves me completely.” 

As well as being one of the elders at BEC Jim is also involved in leading the Youth Church, seeking to encourage young people in their relationship with Jesus.  Jim regularly leads the BEC services and uses his communication skills and sense of fun to make everyone feel right at home.

Liz MacDonald  was born into a Christian family in Wester Ross and lived there until she went to university in Glasgow.  It was there she met her husband Robert and came to personal faith in Jesus and quickly became involved in women and family work within the church.  Widowed in 2014, Liz and her husband Robert had 2 children.  She now has 8 grandchildren.  

Liz retired in 2018 after 32 years as an English teacher.  She is involved in various pastoral duties within BEC.  She completed a bible course at GLO in Motherwell and has twice visited Albania to see the work carried out by GLO there.  Liz also enjoys reading and spending time with her family. 

Julie McCorkell had the privilege of being born into a family that loved the Lord.  As a young girl she trusted in Jesus to guide her through life.  In 2013 she, and her husband Alistair, started to attend BEC, becoming members the following year. 

Julie took early retirement from the NHS in 2015 to help care for her mother. After her mum's demise she began to take a more active role in the church.  One of her joys is sharing in the leading of one of the church life groups.

Nigel Akam has lived in Largs and been a member of Brisbane Evangelical Church for over 50 years.  After being part of the Leadership Team for more than 30 years, he has recently moved to the advisory role of Emeritus Leader.  He still has responsibility for church administration, building maintenance and interface with external organizations that make use of BEC’s facilities, which is one of the ways that the Church is reaching out into the local community.

He has two grown up daughters and two grandsons.  Although retired, he still works part-time as a STEM Ambassador running engineering events for schools to encourage young people to consider future study and careers in Science, Engineering and Technology.  When he’s not busy looking after the church facilities, Nigel enjoys gardening and playing badminton. 

Jim Atkinson and his wife Andrea joined BEC on moving to Largs in 1998. Jim had been involved in various aspects of church leadership before coming to BEC and served as a BEC elder for 18 years before retiring to his current advisory emeritus elder role. He is still involved in BEC’s teaching and music ministries and in other ad hoc activities in support of the Leadership Team. 

Jim is an emeritus professor who retired from university employment in 2012 but retains some involvement in academia. He and Andrea have four married children and nine grandchildren who give them much pleasure and keep them busy!