We met in June 2019, and enjoyed an intimate lockdown wedding in our Northolt garden in July 2020. We live in a flat that is part of St Richard’s Church on the Racecourse Estate, where we aim to live missionally and share God’s love with those around us.

We are on the leadership team for the Young Franciscans, a dispersed New Monastic community, and are exploring starting a residential New Monastic community for ex-offenders and others.

A little about us…

Rachel:

In July 2018, I returned from Bolivia, where I was a CMS mission partner for 2 1/2 years. I was working with Novō Communities, creating Christian communities for broken and hurting individuals. It was a privilege to have a hand in establishing this ministry in its early stages, using experience I’d gained from working at Yeldall Manor, a Christian drug & alcohol rehab in Berkshire.

I now work part-time back at Yeldall Manor in a Recovery Worker and Programme Development role. I love meeting people from all sorts of different backgrounds there. Alongside this, I am studying Pioneer Mission Leadership Training at CMS, which is equipping and inspiring me as I pursue my calling to and passion for local mission. I am particularly interested in community building, incarnational mission in deprived settings or on the margins, caring for the environment, and contemplative spirituality.

I also love dogs, cooking and afternoon tea!

Alex:

Following some training, I have been recognised as a Lay Pioneer in the C of E Diocese of London. I am also a mission affiliate with the US mission agency, Novo.

My ministry comprises the following:

The majority of my outward facing ministry time is spent in Wormwood Scrubs prison where I help men explore their own faith and share it with others through scripture, contemplative prayer and spiritual guidance. I am also involved in running the Alpha course at the prison.

I have been on Novo’s European prophetic team for a year and a half, providing prophetic prayer support to missionaries and mission partners of Novo, with a focus of advancing the kingdom of God in a movemental way in Europe.

I also act as a mentor to ex-offenders and others, helping them live out their faith in an integrated and holistic way, drawing upon my spiritual direction training with the London Centre for Spiritual Direction.

I also love cricket and a good beer or gin and tonic.