Meet the team
Who's who in Northern Ireland
Peter Lynas
UK Director
Peter Lynas
UK Director
Peter is passionate about faith in the public square and works as the UK director for the Evangelical Alliance. He previously worked as a barrister in Belfast before studying theology at Regent College in Vancouver, where he serves on the board. Peter is a regular media commentator, is married to Rose, has two daughters, and loves running.
David Smyth
Head of Northern Ireland
David Smyth
Head of Northern Ireland
David Smyth is head of Northern Ireland and coordinates the Public Leader: Northern Ireland course. He is a former solicitor and represents the Evangelical Alliance on a range of government, civic and charitable forums. He serves in the space where faith, law, politics and culture intersect.
Dawn McAvoy
Office administrator and Both Lives Matter coordinator
Dawn McAvoy
Office administrator and Both Lives Matter coordinator
Dawn keeps the office and team in order. She also heads up Both Lives Matter, of which the Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland is a founding partner. Dawn serves on the board of New Horizon and the operations team of Ards and North Down Street Pastors. Dawn is also a deacon in Kircubbin Community Church and lives on the Ards peninsula, with her husband Peter and their three daughters.
Donna Jennings
Church and mission coordinator
Donna Jennings
Church and mission coordinator
In this role, Donna seeks to resource the church to be strategic, creative and bold as we proclaim, enact and embody the good news of Jesus in our context. She is passionate about equipping the church to be both Biblically faithful and culturally relevant as we stand at the interface between gospel and culture. Donna's heart and voice for church and mission have been formed by her Masters in Missiology, several years of church planting work in Bangladesh followed by developing church engagement with mission through her OMF role in Ireland. She is passionate about equipping the church to be both biblically faithful and culturally relevant as we stand at the interface between gospel and culture and in this role, Donna seeks to resource the church to be strategic, creative and bold as we proclaim, enact and embody the good news of Jesus in our context. Donna lives in Belfast with her husband Nathaniel and children Micah and Tabitha. Some of life’s good gifts for Donna include a morning coffee, shared laughter with friends, a long run out in nature and a good crime drama!
