Encounter Church has a very high percentage of members who work in voluntary roles. There are too many to name them all but we are really grateful to each one of them and couldn’t continue to function without them. We’re currently expanding this page to show you more of the Team Leaders and people with key responsibilities.
Click on a member of the team for more information and contact details….
Mark
Karen
Dan
Marie
Martin
Briony
Alistair
Malcolm
Adam
Ron
Etel
Tim
Joint Lead Pastor/Trustee/Chair/Leadership Team
Mark
Mark and Karen are married with three grown up children and two grandchildren! They have lived in the Cotswolds for the last thirty years where they have been involved in church leadership and have experience of the joys, sorrows and challenges of life, leadership and ministry. In the past they have had the privilege of travelling extensively, both in the UK and overseas, envisioning, encouraging, training and equipping parts of the wider church.
Join Lead Pastor/Leadership Team
Karen
Mark and Karen are married with three grown up children and two grandchildren! They have lived in the Cotswolds for the last thirty years where they have been involved in church leadership and have experience of the joys, sorrows and challenges of life, leadership and ministry. In the past they have had the privilege of travelling extensively, both in the UK and overseas, envisioning, encouraging, training and equipping parts of the wider church.
Leadership Team
Dan
Dan originally lived in Hampshire but moved to Cheltenham to study for his degree and now works as a Paramedic. Dan loves watching American Football and getting out for long walks in the Cotswolds. Dan is married to Marie and together they serve on the leadership team at Encounter. They have one daughter, and sadly lost their son as a baby. This has had a significant impact on their lives and ministry pushing them closer into their relationship with God. Together Dan and Marie have served in various church leadership positions across the UK, Dan is particularly passionate about Prayer and the Prophetic.
Leadership Team
Marie
Marie grew up in Winchcombe and became a Christian here at Encounter church as a teenager. She loves to run and currently works as an Employment Adviser. Prior to this, she completed her theology & ministry training with Assemblies of God and has a master’s degree in Missional leadership. Marie is married to Dan and together they serve on the leadership team at Encounter. They have one daughter, and sadly lost their son as a baby. This has had a significant impact on their lives and ministry pushing them closer into their relationship with God. Together Dan and Marie have served in various church leadership positions across the UK, Marie is particularly passionate about communicating the message of Jesus.
Leadership Team/Pastoral Care Lead
Martin
My wife, Therese, and I live with our youngest daughter Shannon, in Alderton. We have been worshipping at Encounter for 2 years having joined the church after moving to the area. I have a passion to see the move of the Holy Spirit through the church and to see both the love and compassion of Jesus flowing in our area. It is a great privilege to be a part of what Christ is doing at Encounter and to serve him as he sees fit.
Trustee/Safeguarding Lead
Briony
From the age of 20 I have consistently worked with children of all ages from new babies to University students. As a young Mum moving to Cheltenham in 1974 I soon became very involved with the children’s ministry at the Elim Church. During our time at Elim I ran and organised the Creche, Sunday School, Young People’s group and Holiday Clubs. On moving to America for 3 years I was asked to run a Sunday group at the Church there. Following our return to the UK in 1987 I have been very involved both at Prestbury Christian Fellowship and Encounter with running Kids Church as well on my retirement the Mother and Toddler group, Sparklers. I also help Geoff run the Beckford Life Group and as a Trustee am responsible for Safeguarding in the Church.
Trustee/Food Hygiene Lead
Alistair
Alistair has been a member of churches on the current site where Encounter stands for almost 29 years and works in retail in Cheltenham and runs our catering team – Loaves and Fishes. As a Trustee he is responsible for Food Safety and equality at Encounter. Alistair and his wife Ryssa are very involved in church life and have family in London, Australia, New Zealand and the Phillipines.
Trustee/Finance and Governance Lead
Malcolm
With an early career in Engineering design and commissioning followed by leading a range of businesses and financial services, faith and commerce have been inextricably entwined throughout his professional career. Married to Dot they have two children and six grandchildren ranging in ages from 2 up to 14 which keeps them both excited with life and always learning. Living in the heart of the Cotswolds for over 20 years they feel privileged to be involved with Encounter and the expanding vision of God for the area.
Trustee/GDPR Lead
Adam
Adam lives in Winchcombe with his wife, Sarah, and their three children. In his spare time, but he enjoys music, cooking, sports and nature. After developing their faith at Trent Vineyard in Nottingham, they moved down to the Cotswolds 17 years ago. Adam is passionate about the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit and strongly believes in his healing and transformational power.
Office Manager
Ron
Ron, our Office Manager looks after all the running aspects of the Church and loves to serve and assist all to fulfill their calling in the Church and in God. Ron works closely with an amazing office team made up of Fiona Leach and June Yeats to support the work and passion that God has laid on the hearts of The Leadership Team and the Trustees. Ron has a passion for the ministry of encouragement and loves to see the saints equipping themselves and being a source of light to a world that so desperately needs it.
Worship Leader
Etel
Etel leads the worship teams and has a passion not only for worship but missions, fitness and family. Etel and her husband Andy together with their two children Livvy and Olly are regular members at Encounter.
Worship Leader
Tim
Tim has been leading worship since 1997 in Gloucestershire and abroad, shortly after becoming a Christian at Liverpool University, where he studied Zoology. He loves to see Jesus magnified, honoured and celebrated as he deserves whilst facilitating a spontaneous Kingdom atmosphere where the Spirit can move freely and perform his works in and through His church. He has a passion to see people freed to be their fully authentic human selves meeting a fully authentic eternal God. Tim is married to Ana and has two teenage children, Isaac and Anorah.