Staff

Steve Clifford

General director

Steve has been general director of the Evangelical Alliance since April 2009. He is chair of HOPE Together and has previously been international chair of March for Jesus and chair of the leadership team for Soul Survivor. Steve continues to give advice and support to churches and has worked in a variety of church roles, including many among the Pioneer network of churches. Currently, he is a member of the leadership team at his local church.

Gavin Calver

Director of mission

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.

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.

Peter Lynas

Director of Northern Ireland

Peter is passionate about faith in the public square and in the workplace. He leads the team at the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland. Peter worked as a barrister in Belfast for five years, before completing his M Div at Regent College in Vancouver where he serves on the Board. He is a regular commentator in the media and has taught at Westminster Theological Centre and Belfast Bible College. He is married to Rose, has two daughters, loves running and hates fish.

Sian 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.

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.

Cassie Johnson

Personal assistant to Steve Clifford

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.

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. Tim previously worked for Onelife and was self-employed as a freelance designer. Tim 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.

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

Advocacy and media manager

Danny joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2008 and has held a range of roles in the advocacy team. He currently looks after media relations and oversees advocacy programmes and projects including public leadership. 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. He frequently provides comment on current political issues, both in Evangelical Alliance publications and to the press.

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. If he’s not eating a burrito whilst watching Back To The Future, you can find him at local gigs either wearing a snapback cap or a wrestling mask.

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.

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!

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.

Simon McCrossan

Head of public policy

Simon is head of public policy for the Evangelical Alliance. Prior to joining the charity, he was in full time practice as a barrister with specialisms in personal injury and employment law. Simon holds a specialist LL.M in employment law and is focused upon issues of religious liberty. Before he was called to the Bar, Simon worked as a teacher in secondary education (11-18). Moreover, he is also an experienced law lecturer having tutored both undergraduate and postgraduate students. He enjoys most sports and walking in the country.

Danny Webster

Advocacy and media manager

Danny joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2008 and has held a range of roles in the advocacy team. He currently looks after media relations and oversees advocacy programmes and projects including public leadership. 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. 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 coordinator at the Evangelical Alliance, seeking to equip Christians with the skills and confidence to be 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 and an MSc in Political Communication. 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

Public policy lead, Northern Ireland

David Smyth is public policy lead at Evangelical Alliance 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.

Sam Pritchard

Public policy officer, Wales

Sam joined the Evangelical Alliance in September 2018 as the Public policy officer for Wales, he also serves as a County Councillor in Swansea. Prior to working for the Evangelical Alliance Sam has worked for both a Welsh Member of Parliament and an Assembly Member. He graduated from Cardiff University with a Certificate of Higher Education in Religious and Theological Studies before graduating with a degree in theology from Union School of Theology. Sam is married to Jess and is a deacon at his local church.

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.

Gavin Calver

Director of mission

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.

Eve Paterson

Great Commission coordinator

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.

Manoj Raithatha

National coordinator, South Asian Forum

Manoj began his career as a teacher before turning to writing, including a Bafta award-winning children's TV series My Life as a Popat. In 2003, Manoj turned his hand to business and set up a property company. But ultimately it was the ill health of Manoj’s two-year-old son in 2008 which was to prove the biggest turning point in his life. Christian friends set up a prayer vigil, his son was healed and within days Manoj, a born and raised Hindu, gave his life to serve Jesus. Today, Manoj heads up the South Asian Forum (SAF), which provides a forum for South Asian Christians in the UK to encourage, support and equip each other for mission, and to represent their concerns to government, media and the wider church. Manoj also runs Instant Apostle publishing house.

Sarah Riseley

Personal assistant to Gavin Calver

Sarah is a shy show-off, keen on living the most authentic and spiritual life there is on offer. She has a penchant for velvet, talking to strangers, chillies, zombies, psychedelic folk and rock music, middle-earth like pubs with good stout, doesn’t like Disney films, and is known for walking out of musicals. If you’d like to find her, she is often found strolling around Soho in vintage garb and looks like / is a gal who refuses to have her hair cut by a professional.

Rachael Heffer

Unity programmes manager

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!

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.

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.

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.

Sue Wilmot

Head of giving

Sue has worked for the Evangelical Alliance since 2013. She enjoys getting to know our key supporters, enabling them to experience the joy of giving, directing them to programmes that fit with their own interests. She is a lay minister in the Anglican church, married with three adult sons.

Suthee Phoncheewin

Finance administrator

Shortly after becoming a Christian in 2016, Suthee started working at the Evangelical Alliance. He possess a first degree in music technology and a masters in music composition. Suthee enjoy serving in the worship band at Christchurch Spitalfield and count it a privilege to serve colleagues and members who love Jesus.

Liz Doré

Head of people and facilities

Liz joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2017 from Urban Saints (a member organisation). Her role as head of people and facilities means no two days are the same, with activities ranging from recruitment to dripping taps to organising a Bake Off to making sure everyone is paid on time. Liz loves listening to people and, just in case her role at work doesn’t give her enough opportunity for this, she is also training to be a counsellor.

David Stainer

Finance manager

David is responsible for the day to day operation of the finance team who process all financial transactions for both the Evangelical Alliance and its trading subsidiary, the Evangelical Alliance Developments Limited. David also undertakes regular financial reporting and assists with budgetary control and forecasting. He ensures that the Alliance’s finances comply with Charity regulations and oversees the Alliance’s annual financial audit.

David is married with two children and four grandchildren. When he is not otherwise engaged with family responsibilities, he can be found at his local Anglican Church in his capacity as an ordained Associate Minister, often involved in preaching and teaching or other pastoral work.

Lizzie Thomson

Supporter relations officer

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

Ayoola joined the Evangelical Alliance in June 2019 as the executive assistant in the finance and operations team. Having previously worked with a number of high-end retail fashion for a decade, she stopped running away from working in the Christian ministry and has committed to her path in the Christian charities.

Ayoola is passionate about things geared towards the advancement and promotion of the Christian gospel, from poverty eradication amongst children and widows, to promoting an engagement with the Bible and fundraising for causes dear to her heart. She loves helping people to be the best version of themselves and regularly updates a Christian blog on daily Bible declarations which supports the Christian faith and spiritual growth of Christians worldwide.

Ayoola holds a BSc in Statistics, an executive ILM certification and has a background in the media industry including journalism, radio presenting and creative writing.

Peter Lynas

Director of Northern Ireland

Peter is passionate about faith in the public square and in the workplace. He leads the team at the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland. Peter worked as a barrister in Belfast for five years, before completing his M Div at Regent College in Vancouver where he serves on the Board. He is a regular commentator in the media and has taught at Westminster Theological Centre and Belfast Bible College. He is married to Rose, has two daughters, loves running and hates fish.

David Smyth

Public policy lead, Northern Ireland

David Smyth is public policy lead at Evangelical Alliance 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!

Sian 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.

Sam Pritchard

Public policy officer, Wales

Sam joined the Evangelical Alliance in September 2018 as the Public policy officer for Wales, he also serves as a County Councillor in Swansea. Prior to working for the Evangelical Alliance Sam has worked for both a Welsh Member of Parliament and an Assembly Member. He graduated from Cardiff University with a Certificate of Higher Education in Religious and Theological Studies before graduating with a degree in theology from Union School of Theology. Sam is married to Jess and is a deacon at his local church.

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.

Andrea Carvalho

Scotland administrator

Andrea joined the Evangelical Alliance in Scotland in late November 2017. She is originally from Brazil but has lived in Scotland since 1998 and is really looking forward to supporting all the work of the Evangelical Alliance in Scotland. She trained as a primary teacher in Brazil and has gone through PA training here In Scotland. She is also completing a degree in Modern Languages and preparing for a postgraduate in education. She loves the work that she is doing in the office and is very excited to be part of Evangelical Alliance.

Bethany Macleod

Research assistant, Scotland

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.

Nicola Martin

Research assistant, Scotland