HELEN BALLINGER has lived in Nottingham most of her life – with the exception of teenage years spent living in Cambridge and attending university in Birmingham. Helen is married to Andy and they have one daughter. Helen first went to church in Cambridge (a small, traditional village church) when her friend joined the choir there and invited her to come and listen! It was there that she was baptised and then commenced on a long journey of faith. It was a journey of deep, inner healing that is built into the foundations of her ministry calling: to see people released from false beliefs about themselves and past hurst into their identity as a child of God. Helen is now part of Woven St Margarets’ where she is kept busy with PCC, JCC, prayer ministry and leading two groups. Helen is excited to step into this next phase of her journey with Jesus leading the way!

Helen is being licensed to the Revd Rich Atkinson in the Benefice of Aspley.

ANN BUCKLEY has lived in Nottingham all of her life and currently lives in Plumtree. She lives on her own, having been widowed for over 8 years. She has 5 children and 12 grandchildren. She worked for many years as a midwife, a role which has given her a firm grounding to fulfil her passion for pastoral care. She came to faith fully a few months before her husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and she firmly believes God led her to St Mary the Virgin in Bunny, because it was there she received the love and support of some amazing Christians who supported her through the coming months, and it was from there she started her journey of true faith. She learned what it meant to be held by God during the most challenging time of her life. Ann is now an active member of the Benefice, which is made up of 3 parishes, preaching on a monthly basis and regularly leading prayer. She visits people at home, taking them communion when they are unable to attend church. She is looking forward to serving as an LLM, with a focus on evangelism and pastoral care.

Ann is being licensed to the Revd Thomas Meyrick in the Benefice of Keyworth, Stanton on the Wolds and Bunny with Bradmore.

ANDREW BROWN was born and raised in Nottingham, and lives and worships in Clifton. He has an 11-year-old son who lives with him part of the time and two grown up children. His day job is as a funeral director and feels that helping the bereaved is something that his faith enables him to do. Andy rides a motorcycle almost as much as he tinkers with it, and enjoys a ride into the countryside to unwind. During the training there have been many highlights: he has really enjoyed going deeper in God’s Word and doing it alongside some great people. He is looking forward to assisting the team in Clifton, and helping as many as possible encounter Jesus. Andy’s focus will be helping with small groups, living out every day in faith.

Andy is being licensed to the Revd Lydia Cartwright to the Benefice of Clifton.

PENNY CARRIER is based in Nottingham and lives with her husband Cliff – together they share a love for long-distance hiking across Great Britain, having completed the iconic Coast to Coast trail twice! Penny has served as a Children, Families and Youth leader for the past eight years, both in St Paul’s, West Bridgford and now in Clifton Parish. Her ministry is rooted in sharing the love of Jesus, creating spaces where children, young people, and families can explore faith, ask questions, and encounter Christ’s presence in everyday life. Penny’s Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) training has been a deeply enriching journey, strengthening her walk with Jesus and deepening her understanding of scripture. She’s especially cherished the friendships formed with fellow LLMs in training, as they’ve grown together in faith and fellowship. Penny looks forward to continuing to walk alongside others: offering compassionate leadership, encouraging spiritual discovery, and helping people come to know Jesus with warmth, authenticity, and hope. She’ll also be taking funerals, which she sees as a humbling opportunity to support families and gently guide them through times of grief with kindness, care and grace.

Penny is being licensed to the Revd Lydia Cartwright in the Benefice of Clifton.

JUSTIN ERASMUS was born in Pinetown, South Africa. He was raised in a God-fearing Christian family, attended Sunday school on a regular basis and was confirmed at the age of 17. He was always aware of God and never doubted the Bible story. His Dad Baltie, mom Ann, Grandmother Lettie and Aunt Miriam reflected the love of Jesus. At the age of 20 during an altar call in church he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal redeemer and Lord. He was always aware that there was “more” in serving Jesus. At the age of 42 he was drawn to two scriptures: Matthew 6:33, but seek first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be given to you and Romans 12:2 about renewing one’s mind. He realised that life was about people around him, and that God had called him to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. In July 2021 he and Charlotte and their two children, Crystal and Rowan immigrated to England. He loves gardening, photography and the outdoors. His motto in life is “Speak Jesus” in and out of season.

Justin is being licensed to the Revd Trevor Raaff in the Benefice of Linby and Papplewick.

RACHEL FORSYTH grew up on the Isle of Wight, where her dad was involved in Baptist ministry. She met her husband, Mike, when they both lived in Birmingham. After a few years in RAF life, they moved to Cambridge for his ordination training and then to Nottingham for curacy at Christ Church, Chilwell. Since 2021, Mike has served as Vicar at St James, Porchester, where they lived with their two daughters, Evie and Maddie. Rachel has worked in a variety of pastoral roles in secondary schools, most recently as Chaplain at Magnus Academy, Newark. It was while worshipping and serving at St James that she sensed God’s call to Licensed Lay Ministry—a desire to walk more closely with Jesus, love the Church, and be better equipped to serve those around her. She has absolutely loved LLM training, particularly being part of a community of people who are all passionate about loving Jesus and making Him known. She has loved the theological study – so much so that she has just begun an MA at St Mellitus East Midlands! Alongside ministry, Rachel has a passion for creativity, theology, and people. She is excited to continue her journey of living out God’s call on her life and sharing the joy of Jesus with those that He places around her.

Rachel is being Admitted to the Office of Reader.

JACKIE FULLER is from Arnold and lives with her husband, 3 kids & one young dog. They have 3 more but they are all moved out now (kids that is, not dogs!) Jackie has found the LLM training wonderful, sometimes intense, sometimes hard to get her head around, but all worth it as she feels so much more confident & knowledgeable than she did before doing this. She has done the Lay Ministry course alongside training as a Local Missional Leader and so is really excited to really get going with ministry. Until now she has been doing this alongside her job as a Mortgage Adviser but as the training ends, she will also be leaving her job and setting out entirely as a local missionary, hoping to lead a new worshipping community at a church which stopped corporate worship around the time of Covid. This will be scary but also such a privilege to be able to share the good news of Jesus with her local community.

Jackie is being licensed to the Revd Jack Bull in the Benefice of Daybrook.

RACHEL HANFORD is serving as Youth and Schools Worker in The Parish of Ollerton with Boughton, where her husband Richard is Priest-in-Charge, and as Youth and Families Team Leader for Rural Ministry Cluster Two. Rachel has thoroughly enjoyed the LLM course particularly having the opportunity to engage in theological discussion and spend some time in a different context during her away placement at St Michael’s Farnsfield. During her time training, Rachel has found a growing passion and gifting for preaching. She is looking forward to growing in this ministry as well as continuing to grow youth ministry teams in local churches.

Rachel is being licensed to the Revd Richard Hanford in the Benefice of Ollerton with Boughton.

GRAHAM HAYWARD grew up in Bilborough where he attended St John’s Church. After falling away from church in his late teens he was brought back to faith after meeting his wife Rosemary whilst living in Coventry. They moved back to Nottingham after marrying in 2008 and now have three children and are owned by one cat(!). Graham works as a manager for an IT Services provider in Nottingham. Graham has a heart for urban mission and wishes that everyone living in our cities could hear the life-giving good news of Jesus – and that our country could be on fire for God.

Graham will be licensed to Revd Jo Tatum (Area Dean) in the Benefice of Nottingham St George with St John the Baptist.

APRIL HUNT has found the LLM training has been the best experience: she has grown so much in knowledge, faith and spirituality.  She share that she didn’t really know what she was getting herself into 2 years ago, and was very clear that she is not someone who enjoys studying, yet here she is 2 years later, having not just attended the LLM modules, but also attended almost every optional course as well – still wanting to do more! April also now has an appreciation for the Church of England processes that she never imagined was possible! Being in interregnum means she has been able to practicably apply my training throughout the 2 years and shall continue to do so until her church is blessed with an incumbent.

April is being licensed to the Revd Canon Dr Richard Kellett (Area Dean) in the Benefice of Huthwaite.

CHRIS MORRIS was born and grew up in Clifton, Nottingham. Not from a church family, his faith advanced at the age of 16 at a Baptist Church youth group. He went to Bradford University and obtained a degree in Statistics. Married to Chrissie in 1980, three children and four grandchildren followed. A career in computing, specifically supporting finance teams continues to this day. Church membership in a variety of Nottinghamshire Churches – now at St Martin’s Sherwood – occurred where Chris used God’s gifts in Him – particularly working with children, in small group leadership and in the area of Church administration – to grow God’s Church. During the Covid crisis, Chris joined the preaching team and in the last two years started leading worship. Chris especially loves to see people discover faith in Him and to see God develop and use His gifts in others within His Church.

Chris is being licensed to the Revd Sue Pendenque in the Benefice of Sherwood.

CHI NWACHUKWU was originally from Nigeria and is now based in Nottingham. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Occupational Psychology and Cybersecurity, to further understand behaviour and motivation in the workplace. Alongside his academic work, he volunteers as a project manager for a tech start-up, where he leads a collaborative team to deliver digital solutions. After a powerful encounter with Christ, Chi returned to his faith with renewed passion. His LLM training has been a deeply enriching experience, offering opportunities for spiritual growth, reflection, and learning within a supportive community. As he prepares to become a Licensed Lay Minister, he looks forward to serving with compassion and integrity, supporting others in their faith journeys and helping to make God’s presence real in everyday life.

Chi is being licensed to the Revd Dr James Saunders in the Benefice of Nottingham St Mary the Virgin in The Lace Market.

YOLANDE PALMER was raised in a Christian home within the Pentecostal tradition, and her faith was shaped early on by the influence of her late mother. Married with three daughters and five grandchildren, her life of worship and service began as a young woman. A pivotal shift came when she and her husband relocated from London to Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire. It was there, after a heartfelt prayer asking God “where next?”, that her path began to change in ways she never expected. The answer came not through a pulpit, but through a stranger at a bus stop—an encounter that led her to St Helen’s Church. Alongside her ministry, Yolande works as a beauty therapy educator, where her passion for encouraging others shines through. During her LLM training, Yolande has valued growing deeper in Scripture and discovering fresh ways to serve. She now looks forward to ministering not only through preaching, pastoral care, and walking with others in faith, but also by uncovering and using long-buried gifts and talents.

Yolande is being licensed to the Revd Anna Alls in the Benefice of Burton Joyce, Bulcote and Stoke Bardolph with Lowdham, Caythorpe and Gunthorpe.

JAMES PERSICO grew up in Hale, Greater Manchester, and was baptised at 4 months old at his father’s parish near Sorrento, Italy. He was brought up with faith during childhood, but re-encountered Christ in a new way after moving to Nottingham in 2015 to study Medicine. Challenged by the lives of Christians he met, he came to more fully realise and rejoice in God’s freely given gift of grace. Worshipping across several churches in Nottingham nourished in him a love of scripture and encountering God through liturgical worship in the reformed catholic tradition. After graduating and working during the COVID pandemic, he was confirmed in 2022. While serving on his church’s PCC, he soon found himself setting up a new young adults group and assisting at services, before eventually leading them. He discerned a call to the preaching ministry, and has also realised a heart for teaching and pastoral care during the course. Having been working as a resident doctor in Intensive Care, he is enthusiastic to have started speciality training in General Practice in August 2025. In his free time, James is an unexceptional but enthusiastic runner and unapologetically Italian cook, as well as enjoying amateur astronomy and church history.

James is being licensed to the Revd Garreth Frank in the Benefice of Lenton.

BETH STUBBS grew up in Newark and has been a dedicated member of St Saviours Nottingham since its reopening in 2023. She works full-time at Experian, where she co-leads a Christian group, focused on seeking renewed discipleship and a move of the Holy Spirit in the workplace. Beth’s personal faith journey deepened in her early 20’s after being diagnosed with severe Ulcerative Colitis, a experience significantly shaped by the care she received from a Christian consultant, from the Pentecostal church she grew up in. Her path to lay ministry training began with two prophecies in 2018, specifically highlighting her calling to preaching and evangelism. In her spare time, Beth enjoys art, baking and fitness. She is looking forward to her licensing in October.

Beth is being licensed to the Revd Jo Lees-Robinson in the Benefice of Nottingham St Saviour.