--- 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 [ Thursday 17 June 2021#### Evangelical Alliance launches landmark young adults resource Today, the Evangelical Alliance is launching 7 Conversations, a full suite of multi-media resources, to help leaders in local settings reach, engage and disciple 20s and 30s. 7 Conversations, which comprises a virtual environment, short films, a… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/evangelical-alliance-launches-landmark-young-adults-resource) [ Thursday 11 March 2021#### Evangelical Alliance releases ‘Lament’ spoken word film addressing UK COVID-19 grief Today, the Evangelical Alliance is releasing ‘Lament’, a spoken word film addressing the grief caused by COVID-19, written and performed by author and evangelist Phil Knox. The film was produced with the aim of supporting the UK church in addressing… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/evangelical-alliance-releases-lament-spoken-word-film-addressing-uk-covid-19-grief) [ Monday 14 December 2020#### Rev Israel Oluwole Olofinjana is announced as the Evangelical Alliance’s new One People Commission director The Evangelical Alliance is delighted to have appointed Rev Israel Oluwole Olofinjana as our new One People Commission (OPC) director. From 1 April he will work with the Evangelical Alliance’s OPC network of key national church leaders across ethnic… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/reverend-israel-oluwole-olofinjana-is-announced-as-the-evangelical-alliances-new-one-people-commission-director) [ Friday 11 December 2020#### After 10 years as director of advocacy, Dr David Landrum is leaving the Evangelical Alliance After 10 years as director of advocacy, Dr David Landrum is leaving the Evangelical Alliance to take up the role as director of advocacy and public affairs at Open Doors UK and Ireland. During his time at the Evangelical Alliance Dr Landrum has… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/dr-david-landrum-leaving-the-evangelical-alliance) [ Monday 07 December 2020#### New report reveals Scottish churches deliver over 200,000 individual acts of support during lockdown A new report published today has calculated that churches across Scotland have delivered 212,214 acts of support during lockdown. The Stories of Hope report, which was requested by the Scottish Government and produced by the Evangelical Alliance and… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/new-report-reveals-scottish-churches-deliver-over-200-000-individual-acts-of-support-during-lockdown) [ Wednesday 04 November 2020#### Evangelical Alliance calls the UK to pray The Evangelical Alliance has called a UK day of prayer on 13 November to bring the country before God. The organisation is working with networks, denominations and churches to bring together Christians to pray for the UK amid the ongoing coronavirus… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/evangelical-alliance-calls-the-uk-to-pray) [ Friday 17 April 2020#### Scottish Christian charities unite to respond to coronavirus The leaders of 12 Christian charities are today alerting the Scottish Government to the unique role they and the local church are playing during the coronavirus outbreak. In a letter to the First Minister, charities describe how in the weeks and… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/scottish-christian-charities-unite-to-respond-to-coronavirus) [ Thursday 27 February 2020#### International initiative to equip the church in Northern Ireland on issues of human dignity - Stand for Life: Belfast coming in June copy Both Lives Matter, Evangelical Alliance, and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission are joining together in a unique partnership responding to far-reaching changes to the law on abortion in Northern Ireland. The partnership will host an… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/international-initiative-to-equip-the-church-in-northern-ireland-on-issues-of-human-dignity-stand-for-life-belfast-coming-in-june-1) [ Wednesday 18 December 2019#### Peter Lynas becomes Evangelical Alliance UK director The Evangelical Alliance has appointed Peter Lynas as its UK director. In this role he will work alongside new CEO Gavin Calver, championing the voice of evangelicals to the media and across the four nations, while bringing leadership to the core… ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/peter-lynas-becomes-evangelical-alliance-uk-director) [ ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/page/4 "Previous page") [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](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/page/4 "Go to page 4") 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") [8](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/page/8 "Go to page 8") [ ](https://www.eauk.org/press-centre/page/6 "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.