I have been the Coordinator for Canterbury Street Pastors for just over 2 1/2 years now.  I have been a prayer pastor for 9 years with Canterbury Street Pastors. I took over the role in September 2020 and have enjoyed every moment. It has been an interesting time.  As I have been around the teams for many years, I have got to know each member and know they are a great team! Through the years I have seen prayer work and prayer work instantly out on the streets as a result of our prayers as prayer pastors. 

I recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Fine Art, I previously completed my BA in Fine Art Both courses at University of Creative Arts in Canterbury. I am presently interested in Inflatable Sculptures. I enjoy photography on the side-lines. I love cinema, films, creativity.

I currently attend All Saints Church, Canterbury in which I lead a house group and have previously been on the PCC (Church Council) for the last 4 years. I have been a Christian since I was 6, Led to the Lord by my mum. I grew up in a Christian family and have over the years strengthened that call on my life. I served a year with YWAM in Wales in 1995-6. I have a lot of ups and many downs in my life, but my Faith in the Lord has kept me going and having strong routes in Christ have tethered me in the storms.

I have lived in Kent with my family  for the last 20 or so years, 16 of them in Canterbury, I attend Barton Church and have been involved in various aspects of the church over the years. In 2011 I began training as a Street Pastor after hearing about the initiative whilst visiting a church in my daughter’s university town only to discover that on that same Sunday our home church was visited by a group from Canterbury Baptist church with a proposal to set up a Street Pastor initiative in our City.

I had the privilege of being a member of the first teams to patrol in Canterbury and have been associated with Canterbury Street Pastors ever since. I have served as a senior team leader, a prayer pastor and more recently as part of the management team. In September 2020, I was appointed chair of the trustees. As a trustee, we are tasked to support and encourage the coordinator and the wider team  to be a critical friend to the initiative and ensure good governance.

The Street Pastor ministry is unique, with its focus on prayer and the Good News. Street Pastors play a very visible role in the night-time economy offering practical and spiritual support to the vulnerable or those who become vulnerable on a night out. Being a Street Pastor has been key in my journey of faith. I have learnt much and continue to do so. I have been stretched and challenged, compelled to prayer on many occasions in response to difficult situations. I have experienced God’s faithfulness, seeing Him work in the most wonderful ways and enjoyed friendship and fellowship with folk from different denominations across the City. I am excited to be part of one of the ways we as Christians can offer hope to our City.

I have been involved with Canterbury Street Pastors for a number of years, having been invited to represent St Andrew’s URC by Revd. Andrew Fitzgerald on the management committee some time back.  I am currently the treasurer / trustee and prayer pastor.

I enjoy being able to be meet and fellowship with Christians from a wide variety of different churches and be involved in outreach and support to others.

I grew up in a Christian family in Manchester before moving down to Kent for a new job in 1999.  I attend Barton Church (currently virtually!) and play bass guitar in one of the worship bands and am involved in a Lifegroup.  I have been a Christian for as long as I can remember and know that Jesus loves me and is the only way to heaven.  I know I was built to worship Him alone.

My day job: I am a Data Manager at Bradstow residential special school and children’s home in Broadstairs looking after data and IT.

My wife Fiona leads Canterbury Kidz Klub and I have 3 teenage children.

Helen Jones, our new engagement officer, will be helping out with finding new street pastors, raising funds to support our work and with general marketing. Helen is a committed Christian who worships at Seasalter Christian Centre. She comes from a sales and marketing background and was brought up locally to Canterbury.

She said, ‘I’m really looking forward to working with Canterbury Street Pastors. I love the purpose of their work and it feels very special to be have the opportunity to serve our local community in the name of Jesus.’

Helen lives near Faversham with her three children and an overweight cat called Rodney.