Team

Phil is the Essential Christian CEO.

Debra is the national director and founder of Redeeming our Communities (ROC) which aims to bring about community transformation by creating strategic partnerships. She has twenty years of experience in bringing together organisations towards the goal of social transformation.

Wendy is the Head of Content for Spring Harvest. She spent most of her career in the Christian publishing industry, working for Hachette US, Hodder & Stoughton and Alpha International. She loves networking and connecting people and is particularly good at lunching.

Yemi is passionate about working where the worlds of charity, ministry, business, social justice, media and mission collide. Director of the One People Commission, associate director for HOPE, global ambassador for Compassion UK and a worldwide strategic advisor. An Anglican priest, Pentecostal pastor, and proudly married to Simi with four beautiful girls.

Lisa is lead minister at Skipton Baptist Church, part of the Spring Harvest Planning Group and a member of the EA Council. Her main passion is making the Bible come alive and be real to people. She is also involved in Fresh Streams (a Baptist leaders’ network) and in Scargill House (an interdenominational retreat centre).

Paul is the leader of New Generation Church in south-east London and serves on the leadership team of Pioneer. Paul is passionate about the local church and has founded a new free school, Hope Community School, in Sidcup. He is a husband, dad and qualified chef.

Cris took on the leadership of an Anglican church which had shrunk to seven people and is situated in one of the toughest estates in London. Cris and his family moved to Tower Hamlets with the desire of restarting the church.

Abby spent many years as an actor and writer working in a wide variety of Christian and secular environments. Now, alongside a fantastic team, she is the Event Director for Spring Harvest.

Sarah is a Pastor at Elim Life Church, in North Birmingham. Sarah leads ELIM Prayer, Elim’s national ministry for prayer. She loves to inspire people to life transforming prayer, prophecy and intercession. She loves to see people released into all God has for them.

Beatrice was born in Rwanda, but fled with her family in 1994 when a brutal genocide tore her country apart. Finally settled in the UK, her book The Search for Home, chronicles her journey as a refugee. She now lives with her family in Manchester.

Patrick is CEO and co-founder of Kintsugi Hope which came about following a series of personal trials and ill health affecting Patrick and his family. Prior to that, Patrick led urban youth charity, XLP which he also founded in 1996 and ran for 21 years.

Seth’s day job is as head of the African and Caribbean engagement for Tearfund. However he’s also a singer-songwriter, runs his own consultancy company and founded the charity Symphony Co at the age of 16 to bridge the gap between church a community.

Cathy is a speaker and author who has been teaching about resilience, relationships and purpose for over 20 years, combining hard-earned wisdom with practicality, honesty, memorable stories and sparkling humour. She lives on the south coast with her husband Mark, who leads the team at Waypoint Church – despite being registered blind. They have been married for over 25 years and are proud parents to two amazing daughters

Nick is a songwriter and worship leader, who is part of the Worship Central team. He and his family moved to be part of the church planting team for Gas Street Church in Birmingham. alongside lead pastors Tim & Rachel Hughes. He is passionate about seeing encounter in worship – and not just that we sing a few songs together!

Martha is an actor, writer and presenter who has written and performed shows for the west end and venues across the UK. She’s been part of Spring Harvest’s ‘Big Start’ team in a variety of costumes for many years!

Mark has been Youth Pastor at St John's in Birmingham for over 6 years. He has been involved in youth ministry since he was 18 and is passionate about seeing young people encounter God and equipped to be life-long disciples. He loves nothing more than good food and board games with friends.

Martin is senior minister of Rising Brook Baptist Church in Stafford. The church’s emphasis on mission as social action has led to community projects being established, and ongoing cross-cultural mission overseas. Martin also supports Christians in the arts through leadership and teaching.

Tarn is committed to community renewal through relationships, reform and innovation. With a FTSE100 background and 20 years' ministerial experience, she invests into a variety of high impact organisations such as Chapel Street, Love146 Europe and Hope Citadel Ltd. She is an adoptive mother of two terrific toddlers and CEO of Home for Good.

Peter is the Executive Vice-Chair of Essential Christian which has a number of divisions including Spring Harvest and Elevation Resources. He has been involved in Christian music for over 20 years and is a worship leader in his local church.

Elaine is the Chief Executive of the Scottish Bible Society. Elaine’s passion is to help people know God better through engaging with the Bible. Originally from Cumbria, Elaine now lives and works in Scotland. She love being outdoors, usually walking her pal’s two dogs.

Married to Alison, David is Managing Director of a software company based on the Isle of Man. He brings his business skills and deep Christian commitment to the work of the Board of Directors. David and Alison spend much of their time on Friends and Heroes, a major project to produce a world-class animated Bible story series.

Geoff comes from a business background and held directorships with Christian publishing companies, copyright licensing and other Christian organisations. He has founded and is currently running Quicken Trust with his wife Geraldine, a charity transforming lives of orphans in rural Uganda.

Pete is the Bishop of Willesden, on the General Synod of the Church of England and chairs the board of Essential Christian. He relaxes by watching football and is a connoisseur of real ale.

Malcolm is Theologian-in-Residence for Spring Harvest and Essential Christian as well as an author, lecturer, broadcaster, advocate and government advisor on issues of faith and cohesion. He is passionate about the local church.