Thank You Geoff for the 45 Years

It was very mixed feelings that we farewelled Geoff Mansfield on February 9, 2016, from his formal role with the Baptist Association. This was the end of a great innings (using an analogy very familiar to Geoff as a cricketer, umpire and life member of the Combined Churches Cricket Association). Geoff began with the Baptist Union in 1971 as Foreman of the Composing Room (in the days when we printed our materials on site) and by 1993 he had become the manager.
With changes in technology and printing requirements it was decided in 1995 to close the printing arm of the Association. It was at this time that Greg Gough and Alan Soden approached Geoff to stay on for three days a week to help with the distribution of Scripture Plus (the Special Religious Education curriculum that we produced) and this grew to become full time.
Changes, developments and adjustments have continued to be a part of Geoff’s working life and he has personally managed the transition with grace and humility. In 2009 we re-branded Scripture Plus to become GodSpace and Geoff took on the new responsibility of Distribution Manager, overseeing GodSpace financial accounts, learning new computer skills and most of all, becoming ’the voice’ on the phone – providing exceptional customer service. Even when the rest of the Ministry team moved to Epping in 2009, Geoff continued to be based in Glebe in order to ensure the efficiency of the delivery and distribution of the GodSpace material and other Baptist books, and then moving to join the office in 2015. His commitment to the ministry of our Association is deeply rooted in his servant heart. He will be dearly missed by us all here in the office.
And now, Geoff will have more time to enjoy his Jazz music, golf, cricket, his aviary of finches, and his wife, Virve. We pray God’s deepest blessings upon their lives.