Who's Who
Archie and Sam Coates
Vicar, Alpha, Vision, Ministry, Women
http://twitter.com/archiecoates
We moved to Brighton with our 4 small children (3 boys, 1 girl) in Summer 2009 from central London, where Archie was Associate Vicar at Holy Trinity Brompton. Previously, we lived in Surrey and Oxford, but moving to Brighton is a homecoming for Sam – she is a Brightonian, and used to wait to catch the bus outside St Peter’s! We have arrived at this point in our lives, leading HTB’s first church plant outside London, on the back of a whole sequence of events and coincidences, which we look forward to telling you about one day. They have all helped to underline our sense of calling to this church in this city at this time. We love Brighton – the sea, the buzz, running along the seafront (Archie), the shops (Sam!) – and St Peter’s in particular, and we’re excited about the years ahead and what God will do.
Jonny Gumbel
Curate, Helping People Team
I got ordained in June 2009, married Tara a week later, and now we've moved to Brighton to be part of this exciting venture. I grew up in London and trained for ordination at St Mellitus College, doing a placement at St Dionis Church in Parsons Green. Before that I was a 'manny' or male nanny. Brighton has always been close to my heart. We used to come to Hove as a family for a few weeks every summer until I was twelve, Tara and I got engaged in Brighton in January 2009 and I've had a painting of St Peter's hanging above my bed since I was ten years old.
Paul Nelson
Worship, The Six team, Students, Youth, Production
After a couple of years in London my wife Sarah and I moved to Brighton feeling so excited about being part of St Peter’s. Whilst in London I was on staff at HTB, and prior to that I studied Theology at Nottingham University. Going back even further Sarah and I grew up in Surrey, where we remember Archie as a young Curate! Sarah now works as a Communications Officer at the Institute of Development Studies at Sussex Uni. Brighton is such an amazing city – it’s bursting at the seams with creativity and young people, and we feel so privileged to be joining in with all that God is doing.
Helena Lomas
Involvement, Teams, Alpha, The Ten Team, Courses
My husband Christopher and I moved down here in December 09 to be part of the team, and are so excited to be involved. My background is in Recruitment and Headhunting, and for the last 3 years I've been at HTB working on the Alpha Course. My heart is to keep St Peter's as a warm and welcoming place where everyone feels instantly at home and involved, also to make sure Brighton knows we're open for business. I love it when you can see people doing what they are passionate about, and I hope I can help this happen at St Peter's.
Hannah Raiss
Kids and Youth
I grew up in Ethiopia as a child and then lived in the Isle of Wight, Quebec, Rhode Island and Bath; I moved to Brighton in 2007 and had never felt more at home, Brighton is where I belonged! I studied at Sussex University, and in autumn 2008 went on the Alpha course where I became a Christian and my life changed. When I graduated in 2010, I knew one thing; I HAD to stay at St. Peter’s! I have a passion for Brighton, it’s so incredible and always buzzing, I cannot wait to see how God transforms this city!
Alex Wood
Ordinand, Building, Students
I started training for ordination in the Church of England in September 2011 and moved down to Brighton to be part of St Peter’s church at the same time with my wife Liz. I’m originally from South Wales, but have lived all over England, most recently in South West London, where I worked for Youth Alpha and Student Alpha. Before that I worked as a Project Manager for the BBC’s international development charity, focusing on projects in Bangladesh. St Peter’s is such an amazing, welcoming and fun church to be part of, I’m really looking forward to seeing what God does here over the next few years.
Liz Wood
Operations Manager
Having been born and bred in Liverpool, I've now broken my own record for how far south I can live by moving to Brighton! Most recently I've been working as a PA in the City, which followed five years on staff at Holy Trinity Brompton - I'm now really excited to be part of the staff here at St Peter's and am particularly looking forward to working with and getting to know the students along with my husband, Alex (see above)!
Michaela Whitton
Pastoral Outreach Worker
I have lived in Brighton on and off for about 12 years with my daughter Georgie. I became a Christian in Nov 2008 and a year later I was at the first St Peter’s service in November 2009. I have loved being involved in the plant from the start and it has been so exciting seeing our social action projects establish and grow. I am particularly enjoying helping to run our Recovery course, Safehaven and our project for vulnerable women. Having always worked in social care it is a privilege to be able to now serve God in a city which has always had a special place in my heart.