Trustees & Staff

Trustees & Staff

Our staff

Director of Training

Mark Pickles

Mark took over the role of Director of Training in August 2018. He will spend his week teaching on the Ministry Training Course and working to engage partner churches in the North West, so that together, we can reach more people with the good news of the gospel.

Administrator

Sara Holland

Sara is in charge of the administration of the North West Gospel Partnership. She is the first point of contact for the Partnership, so do get in touch via the contact page if you have any questions.

The Trustees for NWGP, help plan our activities and oversee NWGP’s finances.

Chair

Tim Hanson

Minister at Christ Church Wharton

Tim is married to Beth & they enjoy the privilege of parenting three adult children. Together they have been serving the church in Winsford since 2000. Spare time is used to run slowly & watch Norwich City nervously.

Treasurer

Alan Kellard

Member at Northwood Chapel, Liverpool

Alan grew up in an RAF family, he joined the Royal Navy and finished his time in the submarine service. During his last year he became a Christian, joined a church in Leeds and married his wife Liz. Since then he has worked for Barnardo’s, BICC and finally Liverpool City Mission until retirement . He has been married 36 years, has a son, a daughter and 3 grandsons.

Chair of NWYouthworks

Sarah Bradley

Youth & Childrens Minister, Holy Trinity Platt

Sarah has been working at Holy Trinity Platt since 2009. She works with 0-18s throughout the week, her favourite age group is usually the one she’s just worked with. Back when we were able to she loved to travel and has visited overseas mission partners in India and North Africa. She has been involved with NWYW for many years, including leading the Sound team. She’s passionate about helping children and young people, love Jesus, love his church and love his world.

Brian Elfick

Minister at St. Philemon’s Toxteth

Brian is the Rector of St Philemon’s Toxteth, a multicultural Anglican church in inner-city Liverpool with a heart for planting. He is married to Alice, who works as a barrister, and they have three children: Lucy, Bear and Charlotte. Brian also leads the ReNew network in Liverpool Diocese.

Maurice McCracken

Pastor at Christ Church Liverpool

Maurice is Lead Minister of Christ Church Liverpool and is happy to be a trustee of NWGP because the contribution to the cause of the Gospel is unique. CCL belong to FIEC and the City to City network, but they love NWGP because it helps them focus on the whole region, and to learn across denominations and networks.

Paul Baxendale

Paster at Parr Street, Kendal

Paul is currently the pastor of Parr Street Evangelical church in Kendal where he has served for the past 8 years. Prior to that he spent 16 years ministering in Anglican churches – first as a curate in Kendal itself and then as the vicar of two rural parishes just south of Kendal. A native of South Lakeland, Paul grew up in Ulverston and is married to fellow Cumbrian, Jane, with whom he has two adult sons. He dreams of there being more Jesus-centred, Gospel preaching churches established in this part of our region and of Blackpool returning to (and winning?!) the Premier League one day.

Gerry Straker

Pastor at Church by the Bay, Morecambe

Gerry is Pastor and Elder at Church by the Bay, Morecambe, Lancashire – a church he planted with a team, sent from Moorlands Church, Lancaster in 2011. He is married to Catherine and they have a son, Jack, and three daughters, May, Izzy and Phoebe. The Straker family have lived in the West End of Morecambe since July 2008. Gerry trained at Oak Hill Theological College, then served as Assistant Pastor at Moorlands. Before BIble college, he was a Lay Assistant at another NWGP Church, St John’s Lindow, in Cheshire. Gerry loves time outdoors with his family, and still attempts running, cycling and football.