Stephen Boon - Associate Vicar
Stephen can't remember a day when he wouldn't have called himself a Christian, and is grateful to have been taught about Jesus by his parents and a number of faithful churches - including St Nick's up the road in Sevenoaks. Having enjoyed being youth worker and curate at St John's for five years, and then a lecturer on the Cornhill Training Course in London for six years, he is now attempting to work for both organisations at once. He is married to Kirkley and they have one daughter, no pets, and many houseplants.
ContactRuth Bradshaw - Mummy & Me (toddler group)
Ruth grew up in Bromley and at the age of 8, after she became a Christian on a Girls Brigade camp, confessed to her mum that she loved Jesus more than her! A moment her mum treasured!! She knew from an early age that Jesus was her Saviour because of his death on the cross for her sins and she knows the importance for young children to learn about Jesus. Ruth, a primary school teacher, moved to Tunbridge Wells over 25 years ago with her husband Andy, and settled very quickly in St John’s Church. They have 5 children - Bethany, Ella, Harry, Rachael and Thomas. Wherever Ruth is, she can be found chatting to people especially while walking her beloved family dog Caspar in the local park. She loves talking about Jesus!
ContactJono Chalklin - Associate Minister for Youth
Jono grew up in Tunbridge Wells and is grateful for his Christian upbringing. He is thankful for the youth leaders and friends who patiently taught him about Jesus and why his death matters. Jono joined the staff team in 2016, having previously been Youth Worker at St Alban’s Church, Frant. Jono is married to Gemma and has two boys. Jono loves explaining to young people that the Bible was written so that we may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him we may have eternal life.
ContactToby Chiu - Accounts Administrator
ContactCraig Hudson - Music Director
Craig grew up in Poole, Dorset, and through the witness of many faithful Christians gradually came to understand the amazing forgiveness for sins on offer through Jesus Christ's death. He studied maths and music at St John's College, Cambridge, and previously worked on the staff team at All Souls Church, Langham Place. As well as his responsibilities with the music, Craig is involved in the children's work at St John's. Outside of St John's he is busy as a music teacher, pianist and choral director. He particularly enjoys cricket, Formula 1 and board games.
ContactPhil Jones - Operations Manager
Phil grew up in a Christian family and he is very grateful for parents who taught him about Jesus from an early age. However, it wasn’t until after university and a period of prolonged sickness that he really began to trust the Lord Jesus as his own personal Saviour. Phil is married to Kate and has two lovely daughters. He enjoys watching sci-fi and taking the dog for long walks in the Kent countryside.
ContactAnn Keenan - Children's Ministry
Ann was brought up going to church and at 16 her brother took her to a Christian event where she committed to live her life God’s way, not her own. Ann has been involved in the children’s ministry for nearly 6 years. Previously, she led the women’s ministry at St John’s, was the development director of a mission agency, and a city lawyer in London and Tokyo. Ann met her husband Bruce at church in Tokyo and they have 2 teenagers and a cute cat. She loves singing and all things Japanese.
ContactAidan and Caroline Lisser - Growth Group Coordinators
Aidan and Caroline coordinate the Church Growth Groups and can help people who want to join or start a growth group. They have been members of the St Johns Church family since 2004, apart from a brief period in Munich. Caroline started her Christian journey as a child and Aidan came to understand and accept the gospel later in life, largely as a result of marrying Caroline! They both work in London part time and live in Tunbridge Wells with their son Jack, who is heading to university. When time permits they like podcasts (Caroline), sport (Aidan) and travelling (both).
ContactRoger Lumley - Seniors' Minister
Roger grew up in Tunbridge Wells where, as a boy, he put his trust in Jesus. Christian leadership began at school with the Senior Christian Union at Skinners’ and then the Goldsmiths’ College C.U. He spent his career as a primary school teacher and deputy-head. He has served in local free churches both as an elder and a musician, but his life-long calling has been to preach God’s word in churches around the area: a work he still treasures. As Seniors’ Minister at St John’s, he wants to encourage all its members to grow as disciples committed to taking the good news of Christ to others.
ContactJames McLearon - Daddy and Me (toddler group)
James was brought up to go to church, but realised at the age of 10 that he could have a personal relationship with God. He is involved with Daddy and Me at St John's, aware of how much his faith has helped in his role as a father. He met and married his wife Laura at St John's and has three children. He works during the week as a chartered surveyor and enjoys walking, DIY, gardening and playing the ukukele.
ContactLauren Moate - Communications & Front of House Coordinator
Lauren is so grateful to have grown up in a Christian home but the penny didn’t really drop for her until she was a teenager. It was at university where she really saw how God uses all kinds of people to make Jesus known and she wanted to be involved!
ContactTom Nash - Vicar
Tom is grateful to God he was born to parents who taught him of Jesus' death on the cross as his only hope of forgiveness and eternal life. He grew up going to church in London then Sevenoaks and although professing Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour as a teenager a youth leader pointed him to Romans 10:9 and this was hugely helpful for assurance and in encouraging him to live in line with the gospel. At university, Tom managed not only to pick up a degree or two but also an excellent wife. Tom has been married to Clare for longer than it feels and has a quiver full of three energetic and exhausting boys who keep him and Clare on their toes and on their knees. He loves all sport, most food, and infinitely more importantly loves telling anyone who will listen about Jesus Christ.
ContactJonny Pullar - Cornhill Student
Jonny is married to Ruth. They moved to Tunbridge Wells in August 2021. Jonny didn’t grow up as a Christian. But when he was 17 years old, he met Jesus through the Bible. Jonny likes hosting people together with his wife (and enjoys eating her baking!). He has been playing tennis since he was in the womb - imitating his parents.
ContactRuth Pullar - Cornhill Student
Ruth had the privilege of growing up in a Christian family but from the age of 13 started getting to know Jesus personally by reading his word. She has returned from 2 years in Italy with her husband Jonny so they can both get to know Jesus better by doing some Bible training at Cornhill. She is also excited to get to know people in Tunbridge Wells and share Jesus with them. Ruth enjoys drinking English tea, chatting, reading, and going on bike rides (not really long ones though!)
ContactRichard Watts - Men's Ministry
Richard became a Christian in his mid-forties as a direct result of a neighbour inviting him to guest events at St John's. He later joined a short course which opened up the Gospel in a way which appealed to this practical Civil Engineer and he welcomed Jesus into his life. Richard grew up in Surrey and, together with his wife Sue, lived in Northumberland and Suffolk before moving to Tunbridge Wells. They have two married children - their son Chris and his family are also members of St John's, while their daughter and her family attend church in Bristol. Richard retired after fourteen years working for London Underground and has since taken responsibility for coordinating the Men's Ministry at St John's. Other interests include gardening, DIY and maintaining steam trains!
ContactJonny Watson - Parish Assistant
Jonny grew up in a Christian family and came through all the church groups. Despite this, it was only as a teenager that Jonny realised Jesus Christ actually existed. Jonny helps groups with their practical needs, thankful to God that he can continue to learn from God's Word and help other people teach and learn as well.
ContactJenny Williams - Associate Minister for Women
Jenny became a Christian during childhood, through hearing and believing the good news of forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ our Lord. Over the years, Jenny has been amazed to see God saving people - as the Bible is read, and Jesus made known. So Jenny is delighted to be opening the Bible with women in Tunbridge Wells.
ContactAngela Stromsoe - Church & HR Administrator
ContactSophie Matthews - Deputy Safeguarding Officer
Sophie grew up in Kent and became a Christian at university. She now works as a teacher, particularly supporting those with special needs. In her free time, Sophie enjoys being outdoors and spending time with others.
ContactNaomi Vallely - Parish Safeguarding Officer
Naomi spent rather an idyllic childhood being brought up in a Gloucestershire rectory and always went to church as she grew up. She responded to teasing at school for being the Rector’s daughter by maintaining that just because following Jesus was part of her father’s job did not mean that it was anything to do with her! She fell further away during her university years and while living abroad, and only began to explore again when her eldest daughter was born, when she felt tremendous gratitude to God. She was hugely comforted about this lost time when her mother pointed out that the Lord was not going to let her go that easily! Naomi became a Christian when quite suddenly she realised that it is all true. Recently retired from TWGGS, she is married to Ian and they have three lovely daughters. She enjoys going on very long walks with friends and dogs, wildlife conservation, baking and, rather unsuccessfully, gardening!
ContactPCC Members 2023-2024
James Akroyd, Tom Barker, Stephen Boon, Andy Bradshaw (Church warden), Peter Brown, Charissa Buggs, Bid Case, Jono Chalklin (in attendance), Claudia Chambers, Liz Costain, Simon Curtis (Treasurer), John Finnis, Steve Howcroft, Craig Hudson (in attendance), John McLernon, Tom Nash (Clergy), Nick Prideaux (PCC Lay Chairman), Tim Prideaux, Stephen Rigby (Church warden), Ali Scoble, Andrew Smith, Zara Stitson, Angela Stromsoe (PCC Secretary), Sue Taylor, Steven Tunstead, Dave Watson, Hayley Watts, Tony Whittome and Jenny Williams (in attendance).
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