Archie and Sam Coates
Vicar, Alpha, Vision, Ministry, Women
http://twitter.com/archiecoates
We moved to Brighton with our 4 children (3 boys, 1 girl – aged 4 – 11) in Summer 2009 from central London, where Archie was Associate Vicar at Holy Trinity Brompton. Sam’s a Brightonian, and used to catch the bus from outside St Peter’s when she was at school! We absolutely love this city (who doesn’t?) – the sea, the buzz, running along the beachfront (Archie), the shops (Sam!) – and we love helping to build a church in the heart of it all. These three years planting the church so far have been very exciting, and we feel like we’re only just beginning!
Jonny Gumbel
Curate, Helping People Team, Equip
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, Production, Interns
After a couple of years in London, my wife Sarah and I moved to Brighton in October 2009 feeling so excited about being part of St Peter’s. Whilst in London I was on staff at Holy Trinity Brompton (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 in the media team at Sightsavers, an international charity based in Sussex. I feel so privileged to be joining in with all that God is doing at St Peter's and in Brighton – I love being involved in people worshipping Jesus and growing in their relationships with Him - and Sarah will tell you that I never stop singing!!
Helena Lomas
Involvement, Teams, Alpha, Focus, HR, The Ten Team,
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 3 years worked at HTB organising the Alpha Course and other Family Life 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 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 moved to Brighton in 2007 as a Student and had never felt more at home (after spending a childhood moving countries!)… I also came to Brighton as I was following my childhood sweetheart, Tom (now my husband), so Brighton is where I belonged! I went on the Alpha course in Autumn 2008 where I became a Christian and my life changed. I joined St Peter’s in November 2009 and was so caught by the incredible vision for the city and beyond, I wanted to play my part in the vision! I graduated in 2010, and began working at St Peter’s. I have a passion for Brighton, it’s so incredible and always buzzing, it’s so exciting to see how God is transforming 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
Having been born and bred in Liverpool, I broke my own record for how far south I can live by moving to Brighton with my husband Alex (see above) and our puppy, Norman, in 2011. I graduated with a degree in Archaeology in 2001, after which followed some time in Cambridge, then London, including six years on the staff at Holy Trinity Brompton. I love being part of the staff team here at St Peter's, overseeing Facilities, and particularly love being part of the Students at St Peter’s ministry!