Evangelical leaders' comments on the appointment of Steve Clifford

I'm delighted by the appointment of Steve Clifford. Steve is a person of immense integrity, wisdom, energy and strategic vision, and he has the skills and experience required to take the Alliance into an exciting future. I believe Steve and his team will help evangelicals grow in confidence and unity, helping them to become known more by what they're for than what they're against.

Paul Woolley - Director of Theos - a public theology thinktank

I thank God for Steve, I have known him, serving together on the Board of the Evangelical Alliance, and valued his contributions. His work through Hope 08 has provided us a template by which we can bring alltogether to life in many parts of the UK. I am certainly excited with the prospects of this.

Olu Ojedokun - Board member and Field Director of Friends International

I am delighted at the appointment of Steve Clifford who brings to the post a wealth of experience of working with networks as well as wise leadership and a creative mind and heart.

Ann Holt - Director of Programmes for the Bible Society

Steve is an honoured friend whom I've known and worked with for over 20 years. He is an outstanding man of integrity with a wide experience of interdenominational Evangelical churchmanship. He is a strategic thinker and a wise appointment to take the Evangelical Alliance on to its next chapter of influence.

Lyndon Bowring - Executive Chairman of CARE

Steve Clifford is well suited for the role of General Director of the Evangelical Alliance. He has served for many years as a Council and Board member. He brings to the table an excellent knowledge of the organisation, a passion to see the Church has a credible voice in the nation together with a clear understanding of the interface between local church and the national scene.

Paul Weaver - former Superintendent of Assemblies of God in the UK

I am thrilled by the decision to appoint Steve Clifford as the new General Director. He is a leader that many respect and admire. His combination of strong leadership, vision, experience and passion make him the right person to take on this role.

Rev Carolyn Skinner - Team Leader of Kairos Church, Wimbledon

That is very exciting news.

Paul Davie - Alpha Scotland Director

On behalf of the New Testament Church of God, we wish to congratulate Steve on his appointment as General Director of the Evangelical Alliance and to offer him our prayers and support as he assumes his responsibilities. We also wish to commend the appointment committee for their foresight/wisdom in appointing this gifted servant of Christ to serve His Church in this most strategic office.

Dr. Eric A. Brown - Administrative Bishop of New Testament of God

I welcome Steve Clifford's appointment as the new General Director of the Evangelical Alliance. Steve is an excellent choice for this strategic national role given his experience as a church leader and as someone who has successfully led many national initiatives.

Ram Gidoomal - Chairman of South Asian concern

I am delighted by Steve's appointment as the new General Director of the Evangelical Alliance. I hugely enjoyed working with Joel Edwards, and know Steve will bring his wisdom, leadership skills and energy to this important role. He has my support and prayers.

Mark Russell - Chief executive of Church Army

The appointment of Steve represents a very exciting forward step for the alliance. More than ever we needed a visionary and mission focused leader who is able to network leaders and churches together in their efforts for the gospel. To back this appointment up we must ensure we are in prayer for increased unity and purpose as evangelicals in the UK.

Carl Beech - Chief Executive Officer of Christian Vision for Men

I am sure this will be a very popular decision. Steve Clifford will bring his own style and personality to a very important role of General Director. Joel Edwards is a hard act to follow, but I believe Steve will do it admirably!

Fiona Castle - Christian author and philanthropist

Steve Clifford's appointment is the best possible news for the Evangelical Alliance. I've known Steve for 30 years and he'll bring a diverse basket of people and communication skills together with an ability to inspire people, drawn from his deep spiritual resource and experience.

Paul Dicken - Founder of disability charity Through the Roof

On behalf of the Baptist Union of Great Britain I am delighted to welcome the appointment of Steve Clifford as the new General Director of Evangelical Alliance. Hundreds of our churches are in membership with the Alliance and we recognize the crucial role that it plays in enabling evangelical churches to relate to one another and to our society. We pray that this new era in the life of the Alliance will be characterized by bold, courageous and imaginative faith. We very much look forward to working in close partnership with Steve as he leads the Alliance.

Jonathan Edwards - General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain

I was thrilled to hear of Steve's appointment. Having worked with Steve over many years in the context of Soul Survivor and Hope08, I am convinced that he has all the gifts needed for this challenging and important role.

Keith Civval - Chief Executive of Scripture Union

Having worked closely with Steve on the Leadership Team of Hope 08 and the Evangelical Alliance Council, I am thrilled to hear of his appointment. I experience a ‘Leader amongst leaders' inspiring others, networking effectively with a wide churchmanship, demonstrating his passion to communicate and share God's love. Exciting days are ahead for Evangelical Alliance and our nation.

Rob Cotton - Senior Campaigns Manager at the Bible Society

I firmly believe that Steve Clifford's vision, leadership and personal godliness is what the Evangelical Alliance needs as it embarks on a new exciting chapter in its ministry and mission. Steve's record of leading evangelistic initiatives in the context of biblical truth bodes well for action that he will undoubtedly lead in the coming days.

Robert Amess - member of Alliance Board and Chair of the Council of Spurgeon's College

We are delighted to make this appointment. Steve has a real passion for the local church and developing young people, which has given him a strong sense for the issues that matter to Christians and non-Christians alike. He is a leader of leaders, gifted at enabling and mobilising teams and individuals into action, with a real ability to build partnerships with people from across the Christian spectrum. He is a visionary and I am excited to see how his vision has consistently centred around mission and evangelism. These qualities leave us in no doubt that he is the right person to take forward the Alliance, which exists to unite evangelicals in transforming society. He is well placed to lead the Alliance staff team in representing, networking and resourcing its members in the service of Christ.

Rev Mike Talbot - the Alliance's Chair of Board and Vicar of Emmanuel Church Northwood

At Samaritan's Purse we are delighted with the news that Steve Clifford has been appointed as the new General Director of the Evangelical Alliance. This is an inspired choice and we will be praying for Steve and the whole team over the coming months that they will be equipped and enabled for the significant, and yet exciting task ahead.

Simon Barrington - Executive Director of Samaritans Purse

I am thrilled with the appointment. Steve loves the Church and loves the mission of the Church. He not only understands the Church but understands the culture in which we operate. I am confident he will be a gift to the Church in Scotland as we seek together to impact our nation with the Gospel. He has a long history of working for unity and a real heart for mission.

Keith Short - Senior Pastor of Bishopbriggs Community Church near Glasgow and leader of the Scottish Network of Churches

Steve is a man with a passion for Jesus and seeks to be an agent for transformation. He is a highly respected leader of vision with a deeply spiritual heart. I am excited by what God may do through Steve's leadership in the years to come.

Rev Fred Drummond - National Director of Evangelical Alliance Scotland

In Steve Clifford, the Evangelical Alliance has a new leader of the highest calibre. Steve's experience as Chair of Hope 08 and March for Jesus demonstrates an understanding in what it is to unite evangelicals together for a purpose across the nations of the UK. I am delighted by this new appointment and am excited for the future of the Alliance.

Julian Richards - Senior leader of Cornerstone Church, Swansea, President of Gweini (Council for the Christian voluntary sector in Wales) and a member of the Evangelical Alliance Board

I was delighted to receive the announcement of Steve Clifford's appointment as the new General Director. He is a man of great integrity who has a sharp mind and a big heart. We live in challenging times within both the evangelical constituency and the wider church in the UK and I am confident that Steve has the statesmanlike qualities that will help him give strong leadership to the Alliance.

Rev Ian Coffey - Director of Leadership Training of Moorlands College

Steve Clifford's appointment as General Director is warmly welcomed by the Evangelical Alliance in Wales. Church planting, evangelism, and community engagement are close to our hearts in Wales. His record of Christian leadership in these areas, and in particular his key role in chairing Hope 08, stand him in good stead to lead the Alliance in fulfilling our mission across the UK.

Rev Elfed Godding - National Director of Evangelical Alliance Wales

I am delighted that Steve has been appointed to this key post. He is a man of wisdom and far-sightedness, strongly committed to relationship building, and well-regarded by many. Especially significant is his understanding of the issues faced by young Christians and the confidence many younger leaders have in him.

Fran Beckett - Chief Executive Officer of the Church Urban Fund

I have known Steve Clifford for twenty years since he first came to Northern Ireland. He brought integrity and wisdom to the Church here and a passion to reach the marginalised. I fully endorse and support his appointment as Evangelical Alliance General Director.

Paul Reid - Senior Pastor of Christian Fellowship Church, Belfast

Steve brings with him an obvious heart for seeing churches work together and a passion for mission, both of which lie right at the heart of Evangelical Alliance. His ability to bring people together and lead leaders will be invaluable to us as we seek to meet the challenges facing the church in our generation, and his warm personality and pastoral heart will endear him to those within our constituency and beyond.

Stephen Cave - National Director of Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland