New General Director has brought leadership to some of the UK's most successful youth and grass roots Church initiatives.
The Evangelical Alliance has appointed Steve Clifford - chair of Hope 08 and Soul Survivor - as its new General Director.
Clifford, 54, whose innovation has been behind a range of exciting national Church campaigns in the past decade, will take over the role as head of one of Britain's oldest evangelical organisations in early April.
Already a long-serving Evangelical Alliance board member, Clifford says he is inspired by the direction the Alliance is taking and honoured to be following in the footsteps of previous General Director Joel Edwards.
"The Church is alive and kicking in the UK and evangelicals are often at the forefront of local initiatives," he said.
"At this time of incredible change and crisis, there are wonderful opportunities for the Church to present the good news of Jesus in words and action.
"The Evangelical Alliance is uniquely positioned to bring evangelicals together to serve our communities and to work together with others to see our nation transformed."
Mike Talbot, the Alliance's Chair of Board, said: "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."
Clifford has, with others, brought leadership to and chaired Hope 08, a national initiative which last year supported the Church across the UK in a year of mission through words and actions, representing thousands of churches as they got involved in their communities.
Hope 08 was commended by police, Government and royalty with Gordon Brown recently holding an event to honour their volunteers at 10 Downing St and Prince Charles hosting a celebratory event at Clarence House.
Clifford has been chair of the leadership team of Soul Survivor, an international youth ministry running festivals attended by over 25,000 young people in the UK alone. He is to continue being involved with this ministry, though the exact nature of the relationship is yet to be decided.
Clifford's previous roles also include serving as a member of the Spring Harvest board, chair of Soul in the City London and chair of March for Jesus International.
The many projects he has worked on have enabled him to fulfil his desire to see the gospel communicated through both words and actions, with people becoming Christians as a result.
"Soul Survivor is proving to be a wonderfully fruitful evangelistic environment, with almost 2,000 young people giving their lives to Christ last summer." He said.
"Jesus' own life was a combination of both words and actions. I look forward to bringing an evangelical voice to the British public, whilst at the same time partnering with the local church for active mission in communities around the UK."
Clifford worked as a teacher in the 1980s before leaving to work with the Church in 1985, church planting and running leadership and discipleship teams.
He currently attends a West London church, which is a member of the Pioneer network. Clifford is married to Ann and has a son Jake and a daughter Jordan.
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When they walked through the doors of Whitefield House on 13 January, Steve Clifford and his wife Ann received a round of applause from the reception staff. Not expecting such a grand welcome, Steve commented that maybe he should walk back out and in a second time! Although he won't officially begin his role as General Director until April, Steve took the opportunity this week to visit the Alliance and to meet its staff. After touring the building and visiting each department, Steve and Ann celebrated with staff over tea and cake.
