--- title: Press centre date: 2018-07-26T14:29:00+01:00 author: Tim Coysh canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/press-centre" section: Pages --- ### Press releases [ Friday 13 May 2022#### Talking Jesus report is now live – available here The hotly anticipated Talking Jesus report is now available here to download, view and share freely: DOWNLOAD THE REPORT NOW This ground-breaking report by Alpha, the Evangelical Alliance, HOPE Together, Luis Palau Association and Kingsgate… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/talking-jesus-report-is-now-live-available-here) [ Friday 29 April 2022#### Ground-breaking new research to be released on the state of faith and perceptions of Jesus in the UK In the next two weeks, Alpha, the Evangelical Alliance, HOPE Together, Luis Palau Association and Kingsgate Community Church are sharing the Talking Jesus report. This new wave of ground-breaking research answers what people think of Jesus; how… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/ground-breaking-new-research-released-on-the-state-of-faith-and-perceptions-of-jesus-in-the-uk) [ Friday 29 April 2022#### Evangelical Alliance statement on cyber security incident We are deeply pained to have to let you know that we at the Evangelical Alliance have been the victims of a significant cyber-attack and our database has been compromised. We are not aware at this stage that the attempt to steal our data has been… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/evangelical-alliance-statement-on-cyber-security-incident) [ Friday 01 April 2022#### Response to confusion over conversion therapy plans Responding to news reports on the government’s next steps relating to conversion therapy, Peter Lynas, UK director of the Evangelical Alliance, commented: “The government has totally dropped the ball on conversion therapy. Everyone wants to see an… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/response-to-confusion-over-conversion-therapy-plans) [ Monday 14 March 2022#### ‘Leading on the edge’: Evangelical Alliance gathers online to unite and encourage Christians in leadership On Thursday, 17 March at 8pm-9:30pm, the Evangelical Alliance will gather online for its second-ever online leadership conference, EALC 2022: Leading on the Edge. Leaders from across the UK church and beyond will join to share insight, challenges,… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/leading-on-the-edge-evangelical-alliance-gathers-online-to-unite-and-encourage-christians-in-leadership) [ Thursday 06 January 2022#### The Evangelical Alliance welcomes the decision of the European Court of Human Rights on Ashers bakery case Welcoming the decision of the European Court of Human Rights today, Peter Lynas, former barrister and UK director of the Evangelical Alliance commented: “After almost eight years, the saga of the not so gay cake case may finally now be over.… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/the-evangelical-alliance-welcomes-the-decision-of-the-european-court-of-human-rights-on-ashers-bakery-case) [ Thursday 25 November 2021#### Gathered church is back but habits are changing, says new Evangelical Alliance report Gathered church is back but habits have changed, says the Evangelical Alliance today as it publishes its latest Changing Church report, providing insights into the new landscape of the UK evangelical church. This research suggests that the pandemic… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/gathered-church-is-back-but-habits-have-changed-says-new-evangelical-alliance-report) [ Tuesday 16 November 2021#### Evangelical Alliance helps churches tackle climate change following COP26 This week, the Evangelical Alliance launched Changing church: climate change, a series of resources to equip the church to respond to the climate crisis with gospel motivation. This comes after it found that 84 per cent of church leaders don’t… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/evangelical-alliance-helps-churches-tackle-climate-change-following-cop26) [ Tuesday 09 November 2021#### Those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity should be allowed to choose support, new poll reveals Less than a third of UK adults are clear on what the ban on conversion therapy would include A new survey released today has revealed that the majority of UK adults (58 per cent) believe individuals who are exploring their sexual orientation or… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/those-exploring-their-sexual-orientation-or-gender-identity-should-be-allowed-to-choose-support-new-poll-reveals) [ ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/page/3 "Previous page") [1](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre "Go to page 1") [2](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/page/2 "Go to page 2") [3](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/page/3 "Go to page 3") 4 [5](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/page/5 "Go to page 5") [6](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/page/6 "Go to page 6") [7](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/page/7 "Go to page 7") [ ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/page/5 "Next page") ### Media enquiries ### Spokespersons [ ![GC Headshot 156](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![GC Headshot 156](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_headshot/GC-Headshot-156.jpg) ](#gavin-calver) #### [Gavin Calver](#gavin-calver) ##### CEO Mission, youth, young adults, evangelism, church, leadership, unity ![GC Headshot 156](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![GC Headshot 156](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Gavin Calver #### CEO Gavin Calver is the CEO of the Evangelical Alliance. He has a burning passion to see the church working together to share the Gospel throughout the UK. Formerly the leader of Youth for Christ and chair of Spring Harvest, he’s an ordained evangelist and regular public speaker, and has authored six books. Married to Anne, 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 5-a-side football match. [ ![Evangelical Alliance Square 10](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Evangelical Alliance Square 10](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_headshot/Evangelical_Alliance_Square-10.jpg) ](#peter-lynas) #### [Peter Lynas](#peter-lynas) ##### UK director Church, leadership, public policy, Northern Ireland, politics, law, current affairs ![Evangelical Alliance Square 10](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Evangelical Alliance Square 10](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Peter Lynas #### UK director Peter oversees the advocacy team and the work of the Evangelical Alliance across the four UK nations. He is passionate about faith in the public square and leads the Being Human project with Jo Frost. 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. [ ![Israel Olofinjana](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Israel Olofinjana](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_headshot/Israel-Olofinjana.jpeg) ](#israel-oluwole-olofinjana) #### [Rev Dr Israel Oluwole Olofinjana](#israel-oluwole-olofinjana) ##### Director of One People Commission Climate, Racial Justice, Leadership, Diversity, Mission, Whole life discipleship, Majority world theology ![Israel Olofinjana](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Israel Olofinjana](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Rev Dr Israel Oluwole Olofinjana #### Director of One People Commission Rev Dr Israel Oluwole Olofinjana is an ordained and accredited Baptist minister and has led two multi-ethnic Baptist churches and an independent charismatic church. He is the founding director of Centre for Missionaries from the Majority World, a mission network initiative that provides cross-cultural training to reverse missionaries in Britain. Israel is an honorary research fellow at The Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham and is on the advisory group on Race and Theology at the Society for the Study of Theology (SST). He is a consultant to the executive team of Lausanne Europe, advising them on matters related to diaspora ministries in Europe. He is on the Christian Aid working group of black majority church leaders exploring the intersection of climate justice and racial justice. [ ![Danny Webster](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Danny Webster](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_headshot/Danny-Webster.jpeg) ](#danny-webster) #### [Danny Webster](#danny-webster) ##### Director of advocacy ![Danny Webster](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Danny Webster](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Danny Webster #### Director of advocacy Danny joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2008 and has held a range of roles in the advocacy team. He currently leads the advocacy team's work across the UK, including public policy work 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 roles 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](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Kieran Turner](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_headshot/Kieran-Turner_2022-06-22-114245_ajzv.jpg) ](#kieran-turner) #### [Kieran Turner](#kieran-turner) ##### Head of Public Leadership Public leadership, Scotland, public policy, current affairs ![Kieran Turner](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Kieran Turner](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Kieran Turner #### Head of Public Leadership 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 provide support and encouragement to churches, organisations and individual Christians trying to engage with wider Scottish society. [ ![20250424 David Smyth WEB](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![20250424 David Smyth WEB](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_headshot/20250424_David_Smyth_WEB.png) ](#david-smyth) #### [David Smyth](#david-smyth) ##### Head of Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland Public policy, Northern Ireland, conflict & reconciliation, politics ![20250424 David Smyth WEB](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![20250424 David Smyth WEB](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### David Smyth #### Head of Evangelical Alliance in 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. [ ![Phil Knox 2](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Phil Knox 2](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_headshot/Phil-Knox-2.jpg) ](#phil-knox) #### [Phil Knox](#phil-knox) ##### Head of gospel impact Evangelism, mission, friendship, young adults ![Phil Knox 2](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Phil Knox 2](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Phil Knox #### Head of gospel impact Phil Knox is an evangelism and missiology senior specialist at the Evangelical Alliance and is trying to be a good friend. His book on the subject, *The Best of Friends*, was published on 16 February 2023. You can read his first book, *Story Bearer* at [www.storybearer.com](http://www.storybearer.com) [ ![Ben Jeffery](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Ben Jeffery](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_headshot/Ben-Jeffery.jpg) ](#ben-jeffery) #### [Ben Jeffery](#ben-jeffery) ##### Head of church unity ![Ben Jeffery](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Ben Jeffery](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Ben Jeffery #### Head of church unity Ben is the head of church unity and also leads soulcity church, Stockport, which he planted in 2017. He is unapologetically passionate about the local church, reaching people far from God and seeing the movement of Jesus reproduced in others. He also loves good coffee, falling off surfboards and getting lost on mountains. [ ![Wendy Pawsey](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Wendy Pawsey](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_headshot/Wendy-Pawsey.jpeg) ](#wendy-pawsey) #### [Rev Wendy Pawsey](#wendy-pawsey) ##### Head of giving ![Wendy Pawsey](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Wendy Pawsey](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Rev Wendy Pawsey #### Head of giving Wendy has a deep love for the UK church, a passion for unity and a desire for God's people to follow in His footsteps and live abundantly generous lives. Her previous roles in finance, current role as Head of giving with the Evangelical Alliance and co-pastor of a fantastic church, alongside serving as a trustee for Regents Theological College, continue to provide ample opportunity to see the blessing, Kingdom growth and changed lives that generosity facilitates as articulated in her book, Generous with a capital G. [ ![20250424 Dawn Mc Avoy WEB](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![20250424 Dawn Mc Avoy WEB](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_headshot/20250424_Dawn_McAvoy_WEB.png) ](#dawn-mcavoy) #### [Dawn McAvoy](#dawn-mcavoy) ##### Both Lives UK lead Both Lives, abortion ![20250424 Dawn Mc Avoy WEB](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![20250424 Dawn Mc Avoy WEB](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Dawn McAvoy #### Both Lives UK lead Dawn McAvoy leads Both Lives, a UK-wide initiative advocating for both lives in every pregnancy. Both Lives champions laws that protect, services that enable and a culture that affirms women and children pre- and post-birth. [ ![Damilola Makinde](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Damilola Makinde](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_headshot/Damilola-Makinde.jpg) ](#damilola-makinde) #### [Damilola Makinde](#damilola-makinde) ##### Advocacy engagement lead ![Damilola Makinde](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Damilola Makinde](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Damilola Makinde #### Advocacy engagement lead Damilola is the Evangelical Alliance's advocacy engagement lead.