CAMERON BENOY grew up in Northamptonshire and came to a personal faith in Jesus at age 13. He moved to Hull in 2013 to study Music at university where he met Hannah. They married in 2019 following the completion of Cameron’s Ministry Experience Scheme internship and moved to Leicester where Cameron began working for a local charity which supported child refugees. It was during this time that Cameron began exploring the call to ordained ministry and he remained at Holy Trinity Leicester for his placement whilst studying at St Mellitus College. Cameron is passionate about the renewal of the church and seeing ordinary people enabled to do extraordinary things in the power of the Holy Spirit for the sake of transforming society. He loves anything music-related, a good sci-fi film, and above all being a brand-new dad. Cameron will serve his title with The Revd Reuben Crossley in the Benefice of Retford St Swithun.

PAUL EPTON grew up in Brigg near Scunthorpe and was a reluctant attendee of a local Baptist church for most of his younger years. Things changed during a Christmas break from university when he experienced miraculous healing of his injured wrist through the prayers of his family. This led him to do an Alpha course and discover the love of Christ for himself, and from that moment Paul committed to the local church, with Psalm 84:10 ringing true for him: “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere”. In 2005, Paul married Jo and worked for nine years as centre manager at New Life Church in Scunthorpe, before they spent three years serving as missionaries in Spain and Ecuador. This time gave them a deep passion for ministry among Spanish-speaking communities. Paul and Jo returned to the UK just before the pandemic, and in late 2020 started attending St Swithin’s Church in Lincoln where Paul worked for four years as Love Your Neighbour manager and began to explore a call towards ordained ministry. As an Ordinand, Paul initially served at St Paul’s Hammersmith in London before returning to Lincoln and joining Holy Cross Church. While studying at the East Midlands centre of St Mellitus College in Nottingham, Paul has also enjoyed attending the weekly Spanish-speaking community at St Nic’s Church. Paul loves watching and playing sport (especially padel), spending time with family and friends, and walking his beloved dog, Teddy. Paul will serve his title with The Revd. Canon Steve Silvester at the Benefice of Nottingham St Nicholas.

JAMES GORDON grew up in Lancashire in a family that regularly attended church, but he did not develop a personal faith until a particularly difficult season in his life. At the age of sixteen, while attending a summer festival, James had a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit and became aware of God’s love for him in a deeply personal way and sensed God had a purpose for his life. In September 2012, James travelled to Mozambique to take part in a School of Missions with Iris Ministries which significantly shaped his understanding of discipleship and ministry. Following this experience, he turned down his university place and instead pursued a Leadership Internship at Kingsgate Church in Peterborough. Sensing a growing call to ministry and a desire to be better equipped, James enrolled at Mattersey Hall Bible College in 2014 to study Theology. During his time there, he met Naomi, and they married after graduating in 2017, beginning a shared journey of faith and calling. Together, James and Naomi became youth and young adult leaders at New Horizon AoG Church in Eastwood. Alongside this, they worked as pastoral heads of year at Bluecoat Aspley Academy, supporting and mentoring young people. In July 2021, they began attending Trinity Church. After attending Focus Festival, James sensed a clear call to ordained ministry, which he continues to pursue with a passion for building the Church, discipleship, and preaching. Shortly before beginning training, he became a father to Judah-Saint. In his spare time, James enjoys playing padel, doing DIY projects, and spending time with friends, and is committed to serving faithfully. James will serve his title with The Revd. Beth Resch in the benefice of Carlton-in-the-Willows.

NAOMI GORDON grew up on the border of Nottinghamshire and was raised attending church. The foundation of her faith goes back to before she was born, through a miraculous birth story. Naomi’s mantle has always been: “God has given me life, so I want to give my life back to him.” At 13, Naomi had a profound encounter with the Holy Spirit at a summer festival, where she first felt God’s call into ministry. She has always had an enthusiastic and passionate faith in God and a deep love for people, which led her to serve faithfully in her local church throughout her teenage years. In September 2014, Naomi began a full-time theology course at Mattersey Hall Bible College while working at Bluecoat Academy Secondary School and serving as youth pastor at her local AOG church. In September 2015, she met James at Bible College. They married in July 2017 and began serving together in church while continuing work at Bluecoat School. In July 2021, they began attending Trinity Church in Nottingham, where they sensed a call to ordained ministry in the Church of England. They started training in September 2024, with their newborn son, Judah-Saint. In September 2025, they joined a team from Trinity to support the revitalisation of St Paul’s in Carlton and are loving serving the church in the East of Nottingham! Naomi loves quality time with friends over food and coffee, hosting, paddleboarding, karaoke, and dancing or worshipping with her son. Naomi and James are soon to welcome their second child and are excited for all God has for them to do in continuing to step into the call of ordained ministry. Naomi will serve her title with The Revd. Beth Resch in the benefice of Carlton-in-the- Willows.

MAGDA LINDSTROM was born and raised in Brazil in a Catholic family. While at university, she encountered the transforming love of Jesus through the Chrisian Union, an experience that shaped the course of her live and faith. Before moving to the UK, she worked as a secondary science teaching and was involved in evangelism with ABU (IFES), as well as church ministry amongst people experiencing homelessness. After moving to the UK in 2005, she married her Swedish husband, and together they have been blessed with two Daughters and a much-loved tailless cat called Molly. Magda later worked at the University of Nottingham, where her sense of calling to ordained ministry grew stronger and became difficult to ignore. In response, she committed herself fully to serving the Lord and his people. Magda loves people, delights in God’s creation, and values sharing life with family and friends. When she has time, she enjoys swimming and being outdoors. She is deeply grateful for the journey that has brought her here and is looking forward with joy to serving her title with The Revd. Tim Fox in the benefice of Wilford Hill.

JOY MORING grew up in Tamworth, Staffordshire. She regularly attended church with her family, though she didn’t possess a personal faith until a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit which prompted her to take part in Alpha and later commit her life to Jesus. She soon sensed a call to church ministry and moved to Watford to take part in a leadership programme at a church with a large youth and young adults’ ministry. Joy then joined a small team from Holy Trinity Brompton in planting a city centre church in Norwich, where she spent 6 formative years as Worship Pastor. In 2017 Joy met James, during his final year of ordination training. They married in 2018 and moved to Nottingham, serving at Woven, before returning to Tamworth in 2021 shortly before welcoming their first son, Jesse. Joy began training at St Mellitus College in 2022 and their second son, Jude, was born in 2023. Life has been a beautifully chaotic mix of nappies, soft plays, essays and theology! They moved back to the diocese last year, joining one of the new rural clusters as James was licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the West Trent Benefice, where she and James are greatly expectant for all God will do. Joy takes great delight in really good coffee, meals shared with friends, and exploring the outdoors with her boys. Joy is particularly passionate about seeing people adopted into the family of God and discovering their true purpose and identity as his sons and daughters. Joy will serve her title with The Revd. James Moring in the West Trent Benefice, with The Revd. Chris Pearse as her supervisor.

ROB OLIVER was born and raised in Nottingham and from a young age started attending St James Porchester with his parents, aged 7 he gave his life to Christ. He lives with his wife, Libby, whom he met while they were both volunteering on the stewarding team at Spring Harvest, and they have two daughter, Abigail (16) and Jessica (13). After training as an LLM, Rob started to explore a further call to ordained ministry. During his training at St Mellitus College, Rob has enjoyed a fruitful placements in the villages of Burton Joyce and Lowdham, where his love of preaching and communicating the Gospel in a way that is accessible for all has continued to grow. Rob loves reading a good book, building his Lego sets and can often be seen walking the family’s dog, Dexter, around the neighbourhood. Rob will serve his title with The Revd. Tasha Morton in the Benefice of Gedling and the Benefice of Lambley.

TOM PEARSON-EVE grew up in the West Midlands as the youngest of four brothers. Raised in his father’s non-denominational church, Tom’s household faith became his own during a powerful encounter with God’s fatherly love as a teenager. After studying Electronic Engineering at Warwick University, including a year in Munich, he moved to northwest Nottingham to serve in ministry with Woven for four years. During this time, Tom discerned a call to ordination and met his wife, Olivia. They married in December 2023, shortly after he joined the re-planting team to St Saviour’s in the Meadows. Tom trained at St Mellitus College and has led worship and student ministry at St Saviour’s, driven be a passion for cultivating communities who worship God in spirit and truth. In his downtime, he enjoys puzzles, football, and great food. Tom will serve his title with The Revd. Garreth Frank in the Benefice of Lenton and the Benefice of Lenton Abbey.

CHRISTINE PROCTOR grew up the US in a Christian family and decided to follow Jesus at a young age. After finishing university, she moved to Birmingham (UK) where she worked for a Christian charity for university students. In 2016, she moved to Nottingham, where she met the team who had just arrived to start Trinity Church Nottingham. She has been part of Trinity ever since, where she has found family, experienced healing, and deeply encountered God. Although she initially didn’t want to work for a church or pursue ordination, she sensed God gently drawing her in that direction. Through a season of discernment, he changed her heart and called her into ordained ministry. She is passionate about people encountering God, being transformed by his love, and sharing that love with the world. He favourite day would be spent with her husband Matt exploring a foreign country – drinking great coffee, eating delicious new food, wandering around, and sitting in the sun with a good book. Christine will served her title with The Revd. Jonny Hughes at Trinity Church Nottingham (A Bishop’s Mission Order) and the Benefice of Nottingham St Andrew.

LUKE RESCH was born in London and spent much of his childhood moving around the South of England. At New Wine aged 13 he had an encounter with Jesus that changed his life. At 18, he had left home to work for a church plant in Bow, East London, where he saw first-hand the impact of the local church in its community and began developing a passion for communicating the gospel creatively. At 24, Luke moved to West London after marrying his wife, Beth. Together they joined a church plant in Feltham, where Beth began training for ordination. Her curacy later brought them to Nottingham, where they began to explore a call to ordained ministry, starting at St Mellitus College. Luke and Beth have two daughters and a cockapoo. Luke is a long-suffering Fulham supporter, an aspiring amateur barista, and an inconsistent padel player. In September 2025, Luke and Beth moved with a small team to St Paul’s Carlton, with a desire to see a renewal of faith in East Nottingham’s churches and communities. Luke will serve his title with The Revd. Bethan Resch in the Benefice of Carlton-in-the-Willows with The Revd. Jonny Hughes as his supervisor.

MARTHA STEWART is from a small army town in East Hampshire. One of five children, she grew up in a busy household full of community, home-cooked food, hand-me-downs, and a deep love for the Lord. At the age of ten, Martha gave her life to Jesus at Spring Harvest and was later baptised at her local church. After a gap year spent travelling and volunteering, Martha moved to Nottingham aged 19 and begin a (very) meandering journey towards ordination. She spent several years working in coffee shops across the city, travelled across America, and completed a degree in Graphic Design at Nottingham Trent University. She then began an internship at Trinity Church Nottingham, where she first sensed a call to ordained ministry in the Church of England. Martha is married to the wonderful Ben and mother to a delightful two-year-old, Laurie. Deeply inspired by her time at L’Abri Fellowship she is passionate about hospitality and beauty, believing that all of life is spiritual and an act of worship to God. She has loved living out this passion, along with her heart for the marginalised, through her placement at Trinity Church Nottingham, particularly in their Home Space Café. Martha is excited to continue to partner with God and His Church in seeking the renewal of all things. Martha will serve her title in the benefice of Bilborough and Strelley with The Revd. Rich Atkinson with The Revd. Lizzie Osborne as her supervisor.

BECCA TUCKER grew up in Bulwell, Nottingham, and came to faith at the age of 15 after a friend invited her to a youth club, where she encountered the Holy Spirit and began to understand God’s faithful, unconditional love. She grew in her faith at Heart Church, where she worked at the church and developed in faith and leadership and she also met her husband, Chris. In 2017, they felt God leading them to Trinity Church Nottingham, and they moved to St Ann’s with a sense of calling to build community there. They later started a business, The Watered Garden, in Sneinton Market, creating a space for creativity, hospitality, and community, which grew into a houseplant shop and workshop space. In 2020, Becca sensed a renewed call to serve the Church, which led her to begin exploring ordination. In 2023, they felt led to hand the business on as they stepped into a new season. They are now part of a church plant in the Meadows, where they long to see a house of worship and prayer grow and to join in with what they believe God is doing there. Becca and Chris have three daughters, Adalyn, Sadie and Cassidy. As a family, they love food and hospitality, and enjoy spending time outdoors, often camping by the beach or in wide open spaces. Becca will serve her title with The Revd. Jonny Hughes in the Benefice of Nottingham St Saviour with The Revd. Jo Lees-Robinson as her supervisor.

ROBERT GARNETT was born in Chesterfield and grew up in Derbyshire and later moved with his parents to rural Shropshire. It was there that he felt God calling him to be confirmed and to live a Christian life. After university in Cambridge, where he studied History, Robert considered entering the formal discernment process for ordained ministry but eventually felt called to work in the field of international relief and development. He worked overseas for many years, mainly in central Africa and eastern Europe. On his return to the UK in 2018, Robert moved to the Isle of Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde, home to the smallest cathedral in the British Isles, where he rediscovered a sense of vocation to the priesthood. He then trained with the Scottish Episcopal Institute and had fully expected to remain in the Scottish Episcopal Church (Scotland’s Anglican Church) once ordained, but God had other plans, and a chance meeting in York Minster in the summer of 2024 eventually led to Robert returning to the Church of England and coming to the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. Robert will continue to serve his title with The Revd. Canon Nicolas Spicer in the Benefice of Worksop Priory of St Mary and St Cuthbert with Carburton. Robert will be ordained Priest in Worksop Priory on Sunday 5th July.

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 continue to 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 continue to 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 continue to 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 continue to 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 continue to serve his title with the Revd Canon Mark Tanner in the Benefice of Radcliffe-on-Trent and Shelford.

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 continue to serve his title in the Benefice of Daybrook under the supervision of The Revd. Craig Hunt (St Mary’s Arnold).

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 continue to serve her title with The Revd Clive Burrows in the Benefice of Hyson Green and Forest Fields.