Our church is led by a team of Elders who are recognised by the members. We also recognise a number of Deacons who coordinate practical aspects of the church.
Our Elders
Jonathan Smith
At a young age, Jonathan came to realise that just going to church and trying to be good wasn’t enough – he needed Jesus, and put his trust in him. Growing up, one of his biggest passions was music, which he studied at university, where he met Lorraine. After university, they got married, started a family, and many years later they have four children at various stages of education and early adulthood. After working in financial services for several years, Jonathan followed a call to pastoral ministry and served in Bristol and Ilfracombe before coming to Emmanuel in October 2026. Jonathan still loves music (listening, playing and writing), watching sport (especially F1 and football), walking, eating, drinking (with a particular love for coffee), spending time with people, and most of all, spending time with the Lord in prayer (which can be hard but so rewarding) and in the Bible, with a special love for teaching from it in all kinds of ways. His favourite Christian song of all time (not including ones in the Bible) is Charles Wesley’s ‘O Love Divine’ (not to be confused with the more popular ‘Love Divine’), but Sovereign Grace Music’s ‘It Is Finished’ is not far behind!
William Brown
William and Rosalind both came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as children. William served in pastoral ministry in Northern Ireland before they moved to Ivory Coast, West Africa to serve as missionaries until they were evacuated. They moved to England in 2013 for William to take up his role on the staff of UFM Worldwide. William and Rosalind are blessed with three daughters, two sons and four grandchildren. They enjoy reading, walking, gardening and having picnics in random places!
John McNicol
John was saved as a teenager in 1977 and met Angela while helping with Christian youth work at the University of Nottingham. They led a church youth group in their home for more than 20 years. John worked in the silicon chip and cellular phone industries and is now involved with self-driving vehicles. Angela recently retired from teaching and heads up the Knit & Natter group at Emmanuel. John enjoys playing guitar. They have three children and two grandchildren.
Marc Thomas
Marc and Ruth have experienced so much of God’s amazing grace in their lives, both converted to faith in Christ in their youth. They met during the late 80’s while at university in Swansea and are so grateful for the Lord’s leading and blessing ever since then. They rejoice in their married children and two little granddaughters. Both Marc and Ruth are teachers working at the same local secondary school. They enjoy cooking, gardening and walks in the countryside.