Leadership & Staff
The church leadership is made up of three teams: Elders, Staff and Management Team (Deacons).
Elders
Simon Lawton – Lead Pastor
Simon has recently joined us from Elim Church Newcastle. He was born and bred in Leicester which explains his love for Leicester City. He is married to Julia and they have five adult children, four grandchildren and a crazy little black dog called ‘Alfie”. Simon blogs at www.simonlawton.com and has recently published his first book entitled ‘Imagine” (Trusting God like never before’) which can be purchased at church or here.
You can email Simon at: slawton@encounterchurch.uk
Deji Okubadejo
Deji is married to Dot and coordinates the Multimedia Team.
Jamie Price
Jamie is married to Debs and they have one young son. He is an ordained Elim minister who serves God pioneering new youth groups for Elim’s Limitless youth ministry.
James Wilton
James is married to Alayne and has two daughters. He is the church secretary and coordinates the IT work at the church.
Ngozi Anya (Known as NG)
NG is married to Eudy and has two children and is an active member of the Multimedia Team as well as serving in other areas of church life
Abraham Adjei-Kwarteng
Abraham is married and heads up the prayer team.
Andy Vanek
Andy is married to Zoe and leads our connect group network as well as being involved in so many aspects of church life!
Staff
Julia Lawton – Alongside supporting her husband Pastor Simon in leading the church, Julia serves in a part-time role and is looking forward to launching new community projects (watch this space!), providing pastoral care and leading our Aspire women’s ministry. She also serves on the Aspire national leadership team. Julia loves a bargain, new clothes and spending time with her family and grandchildren. jlawton@encounterchurch.uk
Abz Adekeye – Abz is married to Kunle and is our Youth Pastor and her main role is to oversee our youth ministry and provide support and pastoral care for our young people. She has a particular interest in mental health issues amongst young people. aadekeye@encounterchurch.uk
Max Tolley – Max is our Family and Community Worker. Her background is as a Nursery Nurse (NNEB qualification) working in early years, Family Support Worker and Parent Support Adviser in safeguarding and educational settings where she had experience of working with young people from 0-18 years and their families. She has a level 3 qualification in Parent Support.
Her role in church currently enables her to lead 3 stay and play groups (Little Wrigglers) at multiple sites. This allows her to meet, get to know and support if necessary a variety of families. She also serves on EC Kids and heads up a Connect Group.
Debs Price – Debs is our Director of Children’s Ministry. She oversees EC Kids on a Sunday. Debs previously worked as a Teacher in a primary school before joining the team. She is married to Jamie, who is an active member of the church, they have a little boy called Jude. dprice@encounterchurch.uk.
Tony Pash – Tony is our Services Manager for both Encounter Church and Foundations Day Nursery (which operates in the building adjacent to the church). Tony is also our church finance officer and handles all bookings of our building. If you would like to book our building, call the church office or email Tony tpash@encounterchurch.uk.
Vicky Birch – Vicky is our church Administrative Assistant. She is married to Paul who is an active member of the church, they have two lively boys. vbirch
