Merland Rise Church

Leadership

Our Senior Minister

Roger and Diane Welch

Roger and Diane Welch have been with the church at Merland Rise since 1981. Roger is the Pastor, and is involved in a number of other initiatives, both in the local community and in the wider church. Diane is a teacher and counsellor. She leads a number of groups in the church as well as working as the Inclusions Co-ordinator in a local Primary School. They have two adult daughters, Rebekah and Danielle. Rebekah is married to Steve, and they have one son, Jasper.

The three roles of the Senior Pastor are to preach, pray and pastor. His goal is to see himself and others grow in maturity in Christ.

The Church releases Roger for a part of his time, to serve as Chairman of the Board of Wycliffe Bible Translators International. They can be contacted on:

Telephone: 01737 210925

Email: Roger Welch

Minister in Training

Rob and Alona Stevens
Rob and Alona have been at the church in Merland Rise since 1999. In September 2006 Rob started working for the church as a ‘Minister in Training’, and joined the Eldership team in 2007. Rob will be training with the church for three years, spending two days a week at Spurgeon’s College and the rest of the week studying and working for the church and in the local community. Rob’s role is broad ranging but does include leading the church youth group yFish, as well as a home group. Previously Rob was Christian secondary schools worker in the London Borough of Sutton.

Alona is a Respiratory Nurse at Epsom Hospital. Alona helps to lead a home group at the church, as well as singing in the church music group. Rob and Alona have three daughters called Megan, Lucy and Isla who love pink, bags, shoes and … lots of dolls.

They can be contacted on:
Telephone: 01737 271112
Email: Rob Stevens

Our Elders

Rodney and Barbara Hewlett

Rodney and Barbara joined Merland Rise in the late 80s, and Rodney has served as an Elder since the early 90s. He is responsible for reviewing the prayer and fellowship life of the church, and leads the Prayer Ministry Team. Rodney brings prophetic and reflective insight to the work of the Elders. Rodney and Barbara have 4 daughters and 7 grandchildren.

They can be contacted on:
Telephone: 01737 210103

Gary and Lec Mann

Gary and Lec have been in the church since the mid 80s. Gary works as South East Regional Manager for Urban Saints and has been an Elder for a number of years. He is responsible for the Children and Youth Work of the church and leads our Tanzanian ministry. He also leads a small group - most of the Elders do! Lec is a homemaker for Gary and their 2 adult daughters, Kerry and Vicki, and seems to deal with a lot of church hair!

They can be contacted on:
Telephone: 01737 358291

Mark and Mandy Childs

Mark and Mandy have been at Merland Rise since the late 80s, and Mark became an Elder at the same time as Gary. Mark has his own business, working in specialist areas of Human Resources. Mandy is a teacher and Mum. They have two daughters, Ellen and Joanna. Mark looks after the staff.

They can be contacted on:
Telephone: 01737 814270

Jim and Petra Davis Jim and Petra Davis

Jim and Petra have been at Merland Rise since the mid 90s. Jim was a Bank Manager for a number of years. As well as being a regular preacher, Jim has responsibility for the Deacons. Petra keeps us in touch with the persecuted church, is involved in group leadership, and networks with a number of women in the church and community. They have two children, Jonathan and Christina.

And also on the staff team.

Rosie and Nick Westby

Rosie is Pastoral Assistant, taking special care to welcome new people and make sure they are getting settled in the congregation. Rosie is an interpreter for the deaf and leads the signing for our services. Married to Nick, they have one daughter.

Rosie can be contacted on:
Email: Rosie Westby
Telephone: 01737 215564

The Deacons

Ron Walker is Treasurer Ron and Jenny Walker

Ruth Warren is the Church Administrator Ruth and Richard Warren
Ruth can be contacted on:
Telephone: 01737 215731 and Email: mrcadmin@talktalk.net