GRAHAM BAKER grew up in southeast London and was aware of wanting to follow Jesus from an early age. He spent time in academic research, with a DPhil in History, and then teaching before recognising a call to ministry within the church. This call initially took the form of serving at a Vineyard church plant in Manchester, and studying as an independent student at St Mellitus College, North West before moving into the Church of England and training for ordination at Trinity College, Bristol where he is due to complete a PhD in theology in the coming year. Graham is married to Sarah, who he originally met in Nottingham, and they have a two-year-old daughter, Joanna, and a lively cocker spaniel, Bertie. Graham is a keen park runner and continues to work hard on reducing his times. Graham will continue to serve his title with the Revd Joanna Seabourne in the Benefice of West Bridgford.

MARSHA FARMER was born and bred in Nottingham and raised by her grandparents. Her Granddad was Anglican, and her grandmother was Pentecostal. Marsha has always sensed a call to devote her life to God and during her late 20s had considered becoming a nun. However, God had a different plan. Marsha is passionate about joining in with the Holy Spirit to see lives transformed by his power, Isaiah 61 being one of her favourite passages. She loves to dance, write and spend quality time with friends around the dinner table, particularly when her husband has done the cooking. Marsha is married to Peter, and they have three teenagers. Marsha continues to serve her title post with The Revd Steve Silvester in The Benefice of Sneinton St Christopher with St Philip and the Benefice of Nottingham St Nicholas.

CARL BROOKS-PLUNKETT was born in North London and spent his childhood years there before moving to Buckinghamshire when he was 11. When he was 14, Carl heard the gospel and gave his life to Christ, all thanks to a bold youth worker, and a rock-climbing wall! After working for the NHS as a Paediatric Nurse, Carl’s love for sharing Jesus with young people led him to a 2-year Ministry Trainee role in Cambridge and then to a role as a Youth and Families Minister in Sheffield. After exploring his vocation further and studying for both a BA(Hons) and an MA in Theology, Carl and his wife Hannah joyfully accepted a curacy in Southwell and Nottingham. Since moving to Nottinghamshire, they have both enjoyed making new friends, catching up with old friends who live nearby, settling into a wonderful new church family, scenic walks, and (most expensively) the garden centre! Carl often states that he has the best job in the world, because he has the joy and privilege of sharing the truths of Jesus with others. Carl loves to read and write fiction, host dinner parties, and bake showstoppers. He loves getting out for a run, enjoying time catching up with friends and more recently has developed a love for gardening (much to his surprise)! Carl will continue to serve his title with the Revd Canon Mark Tanner in the Benefice of Radcliffe-on-Trent and Shelford.

JAMIE PRICE was born and raised in Nottingham, she lives at home with her teenage sons Sam and Jake. Before discernment Jamie had worked in school as a mid-day supervisor and trained to Level 3 Qualified Teaching Assistant. Jamie was not bought up in the Christian faith but encountered God in church as an adult whilst attending church for wedding preparation. Jamie was baptised as an adult alongside her two children a few years later. This encounter with God began a journey of faith for Jamie, and she longs to see the lives of others transformed by Christ through similar encounters. Jamie spends much of her free time with her children, family and friends, and in seeking adventure through travel, climbing, hiking and exploring the great outdoors. Jamie continues to serve her title with the Revd Rich Atkinson and the Revd Emmie Walford in the Benefice of Aspley and the Benefice of Cinderhill.

SAM WATKINS-SMITH grew up in Cheshire before moving to Nottingham in 2016 to study Civil Engineering. Sam met Millie in their first week of university and they married in 2019; they’ve since become a three with the arrival of their smiley boy, Auggie, in April 2024. Sam grew up going to church but has never quite been the same since giving his life to Jesus at age 16 after a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit at an MCYC Summer Camp. During his time at university, Sam stumbled across Trinity Church Nottingham in its early stages as a church plant and began to discern a call to ordained ministry in the Church of England. During his ordination training Sam led the Student Ministry at Trinity, which is all about contending for a move of God among students in Nottingham and beyond. Sam is passionate about the renewal of the church, raising up a generation of revivalists, and all things Bible and theology. Sam loves reading, running, and being silly (and often tearful!) with Millie & Auggie. Sam continues to serve his title with the Revd Jonny Hughes and The Revd Dr Mark Wreford at Trinity Church Nottingham (A Bishop’s Mission Order) and the Benefice of Nottingham St Andrew.

PETER BALCHIN was born and raised in Devon and became a Christian in his teenage years, with his faith deepening through attending summer youth festivals. He has gradually made his way northward—first studying Geography at Swansea University, then spending seven years in London, where he completed an MSc at UCL, worked as a Student Worker, and later pursued a career in politics. Towards the end of his time in London, Peter and his family attended HTB, where he discerned a call to ordained ministry in the Church of England. This calling was particularly shaped by a growing desire to disciple others and help people grow in their faith. In 2022, Peter began training for ordination at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He is married to Evie, whom he met at university, and they have three young children: Beulah, Selah, and Elisha. Peter still enjoys keeping up with politics, watching rugby, and cycling. Peter will serve his title with the Revd Chris Pearse in the Benefice of Farnsfield, the Benefice of Kirklington with Hockerton, the Benefice of Maplebeck and the Parish of Winkburn.

WENDY FORBES-BUCKINGHAM has lived in Nottinghamshire, and mostly Bingham, all her life.  The teenage Wendy would have said she was a Christian but on reflection, she realised that she hadn’t quite understood what that meant and her walk with God really took on a new pace in her 50s.  Wendy has worked as a Medical Secretary, a School Office Manager and now manages a wraparound care club in a local primary school.  Wendy has been attending St Mary & All Saints Church in Bingham for much of her life, having been baptised and confirmed there in 1962 and 1977 respectively.  She has followed her Grandfather in taking up such positions as PCC Secretary and Church Warden and continues to hold him up as one of her earliest Christian role models, even though sadly he died when she was just 20. Wendy has one daughter who is married to Stuart who also live in Bingham, and a Stepson, Antony who lives with his wife and two children in Essex.  Over the last ten years, Wendy has been aware of the still small voice of God, gently calling and allowing her to take things slowly and step by step.  This led to enrolling onto the Caleb Stream at St Mellitus, East Midlands last September and to where she finds herself today as an Ordinand in God’s church, excited to serve and see what the future holds as an Ordained Minister. Wendy will serve her title in the Benefice of Bingham under the supervision of The Revd Canon Mark Tanner.

JANE HAYWOOD was raised in Hucknall and has been a lifelong member of St Mary Magdalene’s Church, where she began attending Sunday School at the age of three. She is married to Michael, and they have three adult children. Jane worked for many years as a librarian in Nottinghamshire schools, a role she loved until her retirement.Alongside her professional career, she has been deeply involved in the life of the Church, particularly in ministry with children and young people. A visit to Burundi with the Mothers’ Union in 2018 opened her eyes to different ways of being church and how Christians there, living in so much poverty, trust in God.  Jane is a Licensed Lay Reader and until recently served as a Church Warden. She loves reading, walking in the countryside and singing with the Torkard Ensemble. Jane first felt a call to ordained ministry in 1991. This sense of calling was rekindled more recently through her engagement with the Caleb Stream. Her time studying at St Mellitus College, East Midlands was both formative and faith-deepening, confirming her vocation and preparing her for the next stage of ministry. Jane will serve her title with the Revd Helen Chantry in the Benefice of Hucknall St Mary Magdalene with St John the Evangelist.

OLLY LATHAM grew up in Nottingham and came to faith in Jesus at the age of 14 during a summer camp. He met his wife, Ellie, at a youth event when they were both 17, and they married in 2021. Olly studied Sport and Exercise Science at Newcastle University, where he began to discern a call to ordained ministry in the Church of England. He trained for ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. Olly is passionate about preaching the gospel, forming kingdom-centred communities, seeking the renewal of the Church and teaching people about the wonders and beauty of God. He loves spending time with friends in the outdoors with a coffee in hand. He also enjoys a good quest in Dungeons & Dragons, cooking something ambitious for friends, and getting stuck in to literally any sport! Olly will serve his title with The Revd Jonny Hughes at Trinity Church, Nottingham (A Bishop’s Mission Order) and the Benefice of Nottingham St Andrew.

LUKE MEADOWS was born and raised in Cheshire before moving to North Wales as his parents took on the leadership of a church in a small town called Criccieth. He encountered God in a powerful way at a Christian camp, and it was there that he first felt the call of God into ordained ministry. He moved to Nottingham in 2007 to study History. Shortly after university, Luke started to work for a church, which was where he first met Beka, his wife. However, it took them more than a decade to actually date and they got married just before Christmas last year. During ordination training Luke has overseen mission and evangelism, helped to lead the worship and production teams, and supported the pastoral team. He loves playing sports, especially golf, reading, and cooking meals for friends and family. Luke will serve his title with The Revd Jonny Hughes at Trinity Church, Nottingham (A Bishop’s Mission Order) and the Benefice of Nottingham St Andrew.

JO NAPPER grew up in Bishop’s Stortford, Herts where he met Gill when she was studying for her teaching degree. They married in 1979 and have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. Jo’s career spanned 47 years in private and public sector organisations working in Human Resources. He and Gill started a Baptist church plant in Farnham, Surrey with another couple in 1991, and Jo co-led this as an Elder for 25 years. Jo and Gill moved to Orston, Notts in 2017, and in 2019 found themselves worshipping in Radcliffe. Jo retired in August 2023 and his prayerful desire to be used by God unexpectedly led to his exploring ordination. He has been studying at St Mellitus via the Caleb Stream. Jo and Gill love walking, caravanning, running their Life Group, hosting friends at home, and trying to keep up with their growing family. Jo will serve his title with the Revd Canon Mark Tanner in the Benefice of Radcliffe-on-Trent and Shelford. Jo will be ordained at 7.30pm on Wednesday 23^rd July at St Mary’s, Radcliffe-on-Trent.

LIAM O’KANE was born and raised in Streatham, South West London, by his mum. He attended the local Baptist church with mum and sister till the age of 8, when he joined an Anglican church choir at St Philp’s Norbury. Liam was very active with the choir and was given incredible opportunities to record and film and went on to be the head chorister. It was in the church choir that Liam came to a personal faith and was baptised and confirmed. Following his future wife, Mel, he moved to Nottingham at 19 and has never left, Liam and Mel married at 22. He spent his twenties gigging and touring on the UK ska and punk circuit as a solo performer and in a band, whilst working as a learning support assistant at a Nottingham college. Liam and Mel joined St Stephens with St Paul’s in Hyson Green and it was here that Liam felt a call to ministry. He went on to study Youth and Community Work with Practical Theology with CYM at St John’s College Nottingham. During this time, Mel and Liam welcomed the arrival of their first son Joseph. After graduating, Liam found a full-time youth ministry position at Watnall Road Baptist Church in Hucknall, where he worked for 6 very happy years (with some lock downs thrown in), and had the privilege of walking alongside many incredible young people. During the discernment process, Mel and Liam were blessed with their second son Jacob. Liam has trained for ordination at St Hild college in Sheffield and has loved being part of the community there. Liam will serve his title in the Benefice of Daybrook training with The Rev Jack Bull.

LESLEY SILCOCK was born and raised in Nottingham. She became a Christian at Cambridge University whilst studying medicine. She worked for twenty years with patients with chronic pain, and she continues to work part time as a doctor in the legal system. She has been a member of St Stephen with St Paul’s church for thirty-five years, particularly involved with young people, prayer ministry, leading small groups and acting as church treasurer. She was surprised by God to be called to ordained ministry, and she is enjoying studying at St Mellitus college, even discovering an interest in Hebrew. In her free time, she likes to travel, visit the British Museum, and read books with good stories. She is married to Nick, and they have three children and two grandchildren. Lesley will serve her title with the Revd Clive Burrows in the Benefice of Hyson Green and Forest Fields.

ANNA WELFIELD grew up in Manchester where she attended a large charismatic church with her family. From a young age she followed Jesus and chose to be baptised when she was twelve but after a difficult time in her church, she walked away from her faith in her early teens. Over the next few years, she felt God drawing her back in and, with the quiet encouragement of a kind local vicar, she recommitted to God with a faith more her own. Then, after meeting her now husband Phil in Sixth Form, they went to Bristol for university together. It was in this time that Anna really began to sense the call to ordained ministry in the Church of England, despite not attending an Anglican church at the time! In 2017, Anna and Phil got married and moved up to Nottingham where Anna started the Diocesan internship placed at Trinity Church Nottingham before working there as the Kids Pastor. Anna had a placement at the Potting Shed Church for her training, and during her time training at St Mellitus, she has found her preferred style of worship broadening and changing and is eager to keep learning from the richness of the faith of others. Anna and Phil are kept busy by Eleanor (4) and Aaron (2) but in her (rare!) spare time, Anna loves to knit, drink tea and spend time with friends and family eating good food and enjoying beautiful places outdoors. Anna will serve her title with The Revd Julie Cotterill in the Benefice of St Mary Magdalene, Sutton in Ashfield.