Ian's journey

I've been married to Jill for 32 years, and we have two grown up daughters. I enjoy running, messing about on the water (dinghy sailing, Stand Up Paddle boarding or kayaking) and long walks with our two dogs. To help me grow in patience, hope…and to learn to deal with frustration and deep disappointment, God led me to be a keen supporter West Bromwich Albion FC.

Until I was 28 years old, I had little or no contact with Christianity or the Church. Up to that point my life, my marketing career and family were going really well. And at that point I was prompted, by what I would now say was the Spirit, to start going to church. However a few months later we were devastated when Jill suffered a miscarriage 21 weeks into the pregnancy with Isobel, our second daughter.

At Isobel’s funeral service, I had an overwhelming and powerful experience of Jesus’s presence, peace, grace and strength. As a result I not only had a growing desire to know more about the God that I’d avoided for all that time, but also a strong faith and what I thought was a calling to servant leadership and ministry within His church.

After being accepted and training part time in Birmingham, I’ve spent the last 18 years within the Methodist Church, serving and leading a wide range of churches and Fresh Expressions of church plant, across Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire, then more recently as Superintendent in the Oldham and Saddleworth Circuit.

I’ve recently had the privilege of being appointed as Lead Pastor of Garstang Free Methodist Church, where I’m blessed to be part of a great pastoral team, within a wonderful Church family which is looking to build on all the great work over recent years and it’s 50 year heritage…

I’m excited and energised about God’s renewed call on my life and for the next exciting season in servant leadership. My passion is for this movement and the churches within it to be true to it’s Wesleyan DNA:

To be healthy, holy, growing, dynamic,

Remaining culturally relevant while doctrinally firm,

Authentic in their life,

Growing whole life disciples,

Being fully open to the Holy Spirit and His transforming power,

Encouraging people to recognise and use their spiritual gifts,

And being passionately on mission for Jesus.