Meet The Team

Alan has recently moved with his family to a small village on a peninsula called the Black Isle in the Highlands of Scotland. Having lived 23 years in Manchester it's been quite a shift of lifestyle! He's learning to engage in deeper forms of the sacredness of community, shared humanity and connection with nature. His working life includes everything to make home a healthy and hospitable environment for family and guests, coaching church leaders, tree planting, charity and community organising and serving the vision of cultivating sacred spaces in everyday places. Jesus continues to be his living inspiration and most significant guide to enjoying a sacred life rooted in love. Alan has no experience sailing despite the photo! 

Gaynor is passionate about helping others cultivate creativity and community in everyday life. A music tutor, member of Derby Serenaders, and founder of the Local Vocals Community Choir, she brings her love for the arts and people together in Derby’s University Quarter, where she and Simon lead The Source, a micro-church. She is part of the core team of the Synergy family of churches, with a specific focus on spiritual formation. Gaynor enjoys curating welcoming spaces—both indoors and outdoors—where people can encounter God, blending contemplative and contemporary expressions of spirituality.

Simon enjoys seeing others flourish in all aspects of life. A former town planner, theological college principal, and pastor, he is now a spiritual director. As a musician, he loves helping people connect through the gift of music and song. As chair of Jacob’s Well, he actively promotes unity and the flourishing of the city of Derby through community development with Redeeming Our Communities. He is also chair of Intercultural Churches and associate leader in the Synergy family of churches, seeking the renewal of all things.

Matty’s spent the last 25+ years in all sorts of mission and ministry, from planting churches, to working in prisons, helping addicts in recovery and helping to provide homes for the homeless. He’s a fan of community, justice, travelling, long hikes, good red wine, and seeing people discover their life in Jesus - especially those who have been most downtrodden. Matty is part of the leadership team at Green Pastures, a Christian social enterprise enabling Christians to house the homeless through a ~£50m ethical investment fund. Matty lives in Kington, Herefordshire with his wife Hannah and their two young kids, Jude and Elsie.