Staff

Gavin Calver

CEO

Gavin has a burning passion to see the gospel reach every person in the UK. He is the chair of Spring Harvest, was formerly the national director of Youth for Christ, is an ordained evangelist and regular public speaker, and has authored five books. Gavin is married to Anne, and they have two children: Amelie and Daniel. He loves new challenges, is a passionate AFC Wimbledon supporter, and was part of the team that broke the world record for the longest five-a-side football match.

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.

Fred Drummond

Director of Scotland

Fred has been an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland for more than 20 years. He has led both traditional and new churches and has a postgraduate degree in missional leadership and a diploma in pastoral theology. Fred is passionate about storytelling, the power of prayer, the gospel, and unity for extending the kingdom of God. He is an author and writer and has led conferences on new church in various countries. Fred seeks to give focus to the prayer support that is so vital to the work of the Evangelical Alliance.

Jo Frost

Director of communications and membership

Jo joined the Evangelical Alliance in September 2017, having previously worked with a number of Christian charities, including Share Jesus, Release International and Bible Society. Jo completed her Masters in Public Communications at Westminster before joining an international campaigns consultancy specialising in human rights and environment issues. She then went on to set up her own business as a communications consultant and brand specialist. Jo teaches and preaches regularly on communications, conflict, whole-life discipleship, mission and leadership.

Dr David Landrum

Director of advocacy

Dr David Landrum has been our director of advocacy since June 2011, when he joined the Evangelical Alliance from his previous role as parliamentary officer for the Bible Society. He has a first-class degree in contemporary politics and urban policy studies and a doctorate in politics and policy process in education. Well-respected in parliament, David's passion is to see Christianity make an impact on society by being at the centre of political, cultural and economic life.

Emrys Jones

Director of finance and operations

Emrys is a Chartered Engineer and business graduate having held a number of senior management positions in blue-chip, hi-tech, international businesses. Following a God-directed career transition, he took on the role of director of operations with Care for the Family, an Evangelical Alliance member organisation, eight years ago. He has been a trustee of other Christian charities and is a member of his local church, part of the Salt & Light family, and lives in rural Leicestershire.

Siân Rees

Director of Wales

Siân was appointed director of Evangelical Alliance Wales in January 2019 having previously taught music, drama and performing Arts at a secondary school in north Wales. She is passionate about equipping, releasing and championing others to become all that God has created them to be.

Siân is a regular speaker at conferences across Wales both through the medium of English and through her first language Welsh. Having graduated in music, naturally many of her interests revolve around live music, performing and all things creative.

She also loves travelling, entertaining and is wholeheartedly committed to seeking out a perfect latte.

Cassie Johnson

PA to the board, leadership and OPC

Cassie joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2015, after a successful period as service manager at a charity that supports vulnerable young people and families. The graduate in arts management, who is in the leadership team at her church, provides administrative support for the general director, and other members of the leadership team, as they grapple with issues that affect evangelical Christians around the UK. Cassie counts it a privilege to serve colleagues across the Evangelical Alliance, as well as the charity’s diverse membership.

Sarah Jane Riseley

Personal assistant to Gavin Calver

A PA at senior level since the tender age of 21, a ‘university of life’ knock-about, involved in St Patrick’s Soho Square community and Open House, and lifelong Jesus follower. A unity and people-person nut. She loves a Middle Earth like pub, big tunes, introducing herself to dogs and can be found gazing into her fiancé’s eyes.

Jo Frost

Director of communications and membership

Jo joined the Evangelical Alliance in September 2017, having previously worked with a number of Christian charities, including Share Jesus, Release International and Bible Society. Jo completed her Masters in Public Communications at Westminster before joining an international campaigns consultancy specialising in human rights and environment issues. She then went on to set up her own business as a communications consultant and brand specialist. Jo teaches and preaches regularly on communications, conflict, whole-life discipleship, mission and leadership.

Tim Coysh

Digital lead

Hailing from the sunny countryside in The Cotswolds, Tim joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2016. He previously worked for Onelife Leadershipand was self-employed as a freelance web designer. He is huge fan of technology, any sports, and could be the world's biggest extrovert. Tim has been designing websites since the age of 12 and now looks after the digital world of the Evangelical Alliance, including this website.

Lyla Hadlow

Marketing communications co-ordinator

Lyla became the third musketeer in the Evangelical Alliance’s digital team in February, having previously worked as a user experience (UX) designer. Lyla is a theology graduate, who holds a masters degree in web design and content planning. She loves to get to the heart of people’s stories, and is excited about the storytelling opportunities afforded by the Evangelical Alliance’s digital platforms.

Lyla is an advocate for cultural diversity, being of dual heritage herself, and is keen to see initiatives like the One People Commission go further and deeper. Outside of work, Lyla enjoys outdoor adventures, delving into a good book, and chilling out with a mug of hot chocolate. Though living in the Big Smoke, Lyla will always have a special place in her heart for Kent, the Garden of England.

Naomi Osinnowo

Editorial content manager

Naomi joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2018 as editorial content manager. Positions with publishers and within the marketing and communications faculty of a higher education institution, plus stints as a reporter, have enabled the media and cultural studies graduate, who has an NCTJ diploma in newspaper journalism, to hone the necessary skills and qualities to serve members well.

Danny Webster

Head of public policy

Danny joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2008 and has held a range of roles in the advocacy team. He currently oversees the public policy work across the UK and engagement with the parliaments and assemblies, and respective governments. Before working for the Evangelical Alliance, Danny, who has degrees in politics and political philosophy, worked in parliament for an MP. Danny is passionate about encouraging Christians to integrate their faith with all areas of their life, especially when it comes to helping them take on leadership outside the church, and helped initiate the Evangelical Alliance's Public Leadership programme. He frequently provides comment on current political issues, both in Evangelical Alliance publications and to the press.

Jacob Hilton

Creative designer

Jacob joined the Evangelical Alliance in October 2018. Discovering his passion for design during an apprenticeship in 2015, Jacob pursued the interest and has since been involved in a variety of creative projects, as well as keeping up his hobbies of songwriting and film photography. You’ll find him working closely with Tim Coysh on all things media, most likely sipping away on a cup of hot (black) coffee.

In his spare time, as well as creating things, Jacob stunt-doubles for the Hulk and is a really Nice Guy!

Jo Frost

Director of communications and membership

Jo joined the Evangelical Alliance in September 2017, having previously worked with a number of Christian charities, including Share Jesus, Release International and Bible Society. Jo completed her Masters in Public Communications at Westminster before joining an international campaigns consultancy specialising in human rights and environment issues. She then went on to set up her own business as a communications consultant and brand specialist. Jo teaches and preaches regularly on communications, conflict, whole-life discipleship, mission and leadership.

Sarah Paul

Membership team leader

Sarah has been with the Evangelical Alliance ever since she graduated in 2016 from the University of Nottingham with a degree in English. Having started as an intern, she now heads up the membership team – which includes managing the lovely membership team, looking after existing members, overseeing recruitment of new members and running the exhibition stands.

Matt McKay

Membership engagement lead

Matt joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2019 as membership engagement lead having previously worked in sales and retail as a trainer. A keen musician who is enthusiastic about bridging the gap between church and culture, he and his wife Sarah lead a “heavy metal church” in the Midlands, reaching out to the hardcore rock communities to promote mental health awareness and share the good news of the Gospel. Matt’s heart is for unity and seeing the church mobilised for mission. He always welcomes a conversation around Evangelical Alliance membership!

Ellie Genevier

Membership administrator

Ellie joined the Evangelical Alliance in August 2018 after spending the last few years working in the social and criminal justice sector. Ellie enjoys serving on the prayer team at her church and discovering secluded pockets of London or frequenting old haunts to enjoy good food and coffee.

Hannah Mead

Membership administrator

A Londoner born and raised, Hannah joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2019 having previously worked for the NHS and her local church. She is passionate about studying the Bible and serving in the student ministry at her church. Hannah loves heritage and museums from studying archaeology at university and has a masters degree in museum studies. She also likes tea, books and long walks in the countryside. Hannah is part of the membership team at the Evangelical Alliance and enjoys her work with churches and organisations.

Dr David Landrum

Director of advocacy

Dr David Landrum has been our director of advocacy since June 2011, when he joined the Evangelical Alliance from his previous role as parliamentary officer for the Bible Society. He has a first-class degree in contemporary politics and urban policy studies and a doctorate in politics and policy process in education. Well-respected in parliament, David's passion is to see Christianity make an impact on society by being at the centre of political, cultural and economic life.

Danny Webster

Head of public policy

Danny joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2008 and has held a range of roles in the advocacy team. He currently oversees the public policy work across the UK and engagement with the parliaments and assemblies, and respective governments. Before working for the Evangelical Alliance, Danny, who has degrees in politics and political philosophy, worked in parliament for an MP. Danny is passionate about encouraging Christians to integrate their faith with all areas of their life, especially when it comes to helping them take on leadership outside the church, and helped initiate the Evangelical Alliance's Public Leadership programme. He frequently provides comment on current political issues, both in Evangelical Alliance publications and to the press.

Kieran Turner

Public policy officer, Scotland

Kieran joined the Evangelical Alliance Scotland team in 2012. Prior to this he worked for MSPs at the Scottish parliament for three years, with spells in both Edinburgh and Inverness. Before this he spent a number of years working in youth and community work in the housing estates of his native Glasgow. Kieran helps the Evangelical Alliance connect with politicians in Holyrood and local government, connects with national and local media, and also provides support and encouragement to churches, organisations and individual Christians trying to engage with wider Scottish society.

Abi Jarvis

Public Leadership coordinator

Abi Jarvis is the public leadership co-ordinator at the Evangelical Alliance, seeking to equip Christians with the skills and confidence to be faithful leaders in the places where God has called them. She has responsibility for the SENT course and the Public Leader: England curriculum.

Abi has a BA in Ancient History, an MSc in Political Communication and is currently studying for an MA in Kingdom Theology at WTC. She enjoys going to the theatre, watches too many American TV dramas, and somehow became responsible for daily office exercises despite her hatred of all things sporty.

Much to her dismay, Abi ticks the box for pretty much every stereotypical feature of a PK – a pastor's kid.

John Coleby

Public policy researcher

John began working at the Evangelical Alliance in 2016, focusing on issues of debate in parliament that are relevant to evangelical Christians in the UK. Before this he worked as a research assistant for the Church of England Bishop of Coventry, supporting his work in the House of Lords and his focus on freedom of religion or belief and global reconciliation. He holds a BA in Theology and an MPhil in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman world, and he remains very interested in biblical studies and inter-religious dialogue. He also teaches English to speakers of other languages at a class run by his church.

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.

Peter Mitchell

Education policy officer

Peter joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2018 as the Education Policy Officer and engages with national education policy and work with our members involved in education. Prior to this he had worked in the US for a Christian public policy institute (The Center for Public Justice) in policy areas including education, religious freedom and poverty and opportunity. He has been involved in politics as a local councillor in England and in public policy in both the US and the UK; having worked both on the policy side of education (particularly around education funding and curriculum design) and also having served as a school governor at both primary and secondary schools in the North East of England. He's married to a former primary school teacher and he and his bride have four children.

Beulah Olisanekwu

Advocacy and SAF administrator

Beulah recently graduated from the University of Exeter with a BA Liberal Arts degree, but because no one ever seems to know what "Liberal Arts" is, let's just say she studied Sociology and Politics with a little bit of Biblical Hebrew on the side. She has had experience serving within Christian student societies and enjoys regularly helping out with the children's ministry at church. Beulah recently started learning the Korean language, and now spends much of her free time watching "Hello Counselor" or cheesy K-Dramas. Beulah will be starting the Teach First training programme in June 2020, and is excited to begin her journey into teaching and education.

Rachael Heffer

Head of mission

Rachael worked for British Youth for Christ for 13 years, most latterly as corporate director within the leadership team before working for four years with the Diocese of Ely as youth adviser – developing training, resources, and strategy for equipping churches in their outreach to young people. Rachael is married to Darren and lives in Ely, Cambs with her two sons, Jacob and Isaac. She is passionate about evangelism, mission, and church unity, and is very involved in her local church – overseeing the youth work and ministry to teenage girls in particular. She is a trained coach and mentor, loves travel, languages, shoes, and is a reluctant soccer-mum!

Phil Knox

Head of mission to young adults

Phil Knox is the head of mission to young adults at the Evangelical Alliance. He lives to see people come to know Jesus and Christians inspired and equipped to share their faith. He has a passion for his generation, the local church, loves learning, and has degrees in law, and mission and evangelism. Phil is married to Dani and they have two sons, Caleb and Jos. He is an avid runner and footballer, a proud Aston Villa supporter, and battles a mild coffee addiction. His book Story Bearer is written to help you share your faith naturally and relationally with those around you.

Eve Paterson

Great Commission lead

Eve is a military kid and Durham Theology graduate, who spent a year studying graphic design before joining the Evangelical Alliance in 2017. She is passionate about creativity, seeing God's kingdom come, and anything that involves cheese and/or gin. Nomadic at heart, Eve lives in the architectural wonderland of Cambridge and commutes into London to work alongside the dream team at 176. She is insistent that ‘forward planning’ is the sixth official love language and, as such, runs the behind-the-scenes of greatcommission.co.uk, ensuring the UK church is equipped to share Jesus wherever we are.

Richard Powney

Evangelism and theology officer

Rich currently works part time in the unity for mission team at the Evangelical Alliance. He recently began a PhD in theology at the London School of Theology. To relax, you’ll often find Rich and his wife, Kit, enjoying the outdoors – preferably up a mountain.

Dayalan Mahesan

South Asian Forum co-ordinator

Dayalan joined the Alliance as part of the South Asian Forum to help oversee events and new resources in 2018. In particular, he organises cross-cultural mission training events to help churches reach out to those of other faiths. Dayalan also help to connect other Asian churches together and integrate them more into the wider church body.

Beulah Olisanekwu

Advocacy and SAF administrator

Beulah recently graduated from the University of Exeter with a BA Liberal Arts degree, but because no one ever seems to know what "Liberal Arts" is, let's just say she studied Sociology and Politics with a little bit of Biblical Hebrew on the side. She has had experience serving within Christian student societies and enjoys regularly helping out with the children's ministry at church. Beulah recently started learning the Korean language, and now spends much of her free time watching "Hello Counselor" or cheesy K-Dramas. Beulah will be starting the Teach First training programme in June 2020, and is excited to begin her journey into teaching and education.

Emrys Jones

Director of finance and operations

Emrys is a Chartered Engineer and business graduate having held a number of senior management positions in blue-chip, hi-tech, international businesses. Following a God-directed career transition, he took on the role of director of operations with Care for the Family, an Evangelical Alliance member organisation, eight years ago. He has been a trustee of other Christian charities and is a member of his local church, part of the Salt & Light family, and lives in rural Leicestershire.

Jon Warner

Finance manager

Jon joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2019 having previously been at New Wine and a small accountancy firm prior to that. He manages the finance team and is responsible for ensuring the money in and out is recorded correctly. Jon is on several teams at his local church and has served at the Soul Survivor summer events either in the chat room or on the prophecy team.

David Stokes

Finance accountant

Dave joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2020. He previously worked as the accountant for Soul Survivor, until it finished running events in 2019. Dave lives with his wife and daughter in Hertfordshire and loves exercising, films, reading, and any sport that requires standing on a board. He is known for his humour and being tall.

Hil Sewell

Head of people & facilities

Hil heads up our people and facilities here at the Evangelical Alliance. She joined us from the world of education where most recently she set up and led the HR function across a group of four London schools following an 18-year career break. She is a self declared chocoholic, charity shop addict and loves to play and watch netball. She is happy to be the mum of the office especially now her four grown up children have all left home! Hil lives in West London where she and her husband are involved in leadership of their local church.

Lizzie Thomson

Giving lead

Lizzie has been at the Evangelical Alliance since April 2018. She studied Classics and Ancient History at the University of Exeter, and now enjoys looking after Evangelical Alliance members and supporters as part of our giving team. Lizzie loves writing, travelling and cooking.

Candy O'Donovan

Business development manager

Candy’s been at the Evangelical Alliance since 2012 looking after all things advertising, print production and some design. She works some of the time from her Sussex garden office, pulling out weeds whilst on the phone. When not working Candy is usually to be found at the end of a bellrope, or editing the parish magazine, or on a kayak somewhere off the south coast.

Stefan Douglas

Facilities administrator

Stefan joined the Evangelical Alliance as facilities administrator in June 2019 after almost two years at a private company where he worked as an operations executive. An English, Film and Television graduate, Stefan has a huge passion for writing and movies. Since October 2016, he's served as youth editor on Christian magazine Majestic. He has a heart for young Christians and leads the youth ministry team at his local church.

Ayoola Bandele

Executive assistant: Finance and operations

Ayoola joined the Evangelical Alliance from the RCCG UK Central office where she worked as the senior administrator for one of the mission schools. She supports the delivery of operations, finance, IT and people strategy whilst also ensuring good governance in the organisation. Ayoola enjoys supporting causes dear to her heart and is known for taking part in annual charity fundraising or campaign challenge, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and running in the marathon. Ayoola, a statistics graduate, runs and regularly writes on daily Bible declarations, a website on Christian faith which supports the spiritual growth of Christians worldwide.

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 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 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

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!

Lisa Curry

Research assistant

Coming from a small farm in the Northern Irish countryside, Lisa joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2019. She previously studied Law at Ulster University. It was there that she discovered a love for justice and advocacy and began to explore what is means to pursue this wholeheartedly. She has a minor obsession with corgis and crime shows. As a research assistant, Lisa is excited to serve the church and to learn more about God’s heart for justice,

James Johnston

Research assistant

James was brought up in Carlow in the Republic of Ireland, and now lives in Northern Ireland in Kilkeel, nestled between the Mourne mountains and the sea. He studied Chemistry at university, and joined the Evangelical Alliance straight after graduation (like most chemistry graduates). He loves swimming, games with lots of rules, and fantasy book series you can "sink your teeth into".

Xander Coomber

Research assistant

Originally from Brighton on the sunny south coast of England, Xander moved to Northern Ireland to study politics at Queen's University, Belfast, and joined the Evangelical Alliance after graduating. He loves thinking through through how christians can demonstrate Jesus' rule to be good for everyone in society, and wants to see christians equipped to deal with contemporary culture. When not at work, Xander loves reading, football, and following England in the cricket.

Siân Rees

Director of Wales

Siân was appointed director of Evangelical Alliance Wales in January 2019 having previously taught music, drama and performing Arts at a secondary school in north Wales. She is passionate about equipping, releasing and championing others to become all that God has created them to be.

Siân is a regular speaker at conferences across Wales both through the medium of English and through her first language Welsh. Having graduated in music, naturally many of her interests revolve around live music, performing and all things creative.

She also loves travelling, entertaining and is wholeheartedly committed to seeking out a perfect latte.

Emelye James

Wales administrator

Em joined the team in April 2016 as the Welsh administrator. She grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and moved to Cardiff in 2011 to study Religious and Theological Studies at Cardiff University. Em is married to Cam and they have a little boy who, let’s say, keeps them on their toes.

Fred Drummond

Director of Scotland

Fred has been an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland for more than 20 years. He has led both traditional and new churches and has a postgraduate degree in missional leadership and a diploma in pastoral theology. Fred is passionate about storytelling, the power of prayer, the gospel, and unity for extending the kingdom of God. He is an author and writer and has led conferences on new church in various countries. Fred seeks to give focus to the prayer support that is so vital to the work of the Evangelical Alliance.

Kieran Turner

Public policy officer, Scotland

Kieran joined the Evangelical Alliance Scotland team in 2012. Prior to this he worked for MSPs at the Scottish parliament for three years, with spells in both Edinburgh and Inverness. Before this he spent a number of years working in youth and community work in the housing estates of his native Glasgow. Kieran helps the Evangelical Alliance connect with politicians in Holyrood and local government, connects with national and local media, and also provides support and encouragement to churches, organisations and individual Christians trying to engage with wider Scottish society.

Bethany Macleod

Scotland administrator

Bethany joined the team in Scotland in September 2018. Having recently moved to Glasgow from the Isle of Lewis, she is enjoying settling into life on the “mainland” (internet available 24/7? Who knew!). Bethany is passionate about seeing Scottish churches mobilised and serious in their calling to bring Christ into their communities. She is eager to grow and learn from the team in Scotland as she joins in with their projects.

Christine Uhlig

Research assistant

Christine joined the team in Scotland as an research assistant in September 2019 having recently graduated in Law and Psychology. She is passionate about seeing Christians supported in politics, government and law, and hopes to see the Christian voice strengthened in these sectors. In her spare time, Christine will often be found cooking or baking, hill-walking or deeply ingrained in a true-crime podcast.

Chris Ringland

Research assistant

Originally from Northern Ireland and now based in Scotland for the past 5 years, Chris joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2019. He recently graduated in Geography & Politics and is working towards a Masters degree in Public Policy alongside his work in the Scotland office. He is passionate about bringing Jesus into the public square and the potential for politics, communities and culture in Scotland to be transformed by the gospel. Outside of work, he loves sport, reading and The West Wing, and is constantly justifying his support for his beloved West Ham United