Meet our Leadership team
According to New Testament scriptures, Elders are individuals recognised for their spiritual maturity, and set before the people as teachers and leaders. 4 men have been chosen from and by our membership, who work as a team, given with the task of bringing believers to maturity, and leading them by their teaching and example.
Geoff Kennedy
Pastor
Geoff Kennedy has served as our Pastor of Ards Evangelical Church since 2013. Geoff passionately believes in the centrality of scripture to lead and guide the church on both an individual and corporate level. Geoff and his wife, Ruth have 3 children: Sophie, Bethany and Hudson.
“ok – but why?”
It can be a tough question to answer sometimes. So often in life, we find ourselves in situations where we do certain things that can’t be justified. Maybe it’s how the volume level has to be on an even number (or a multiple of 5 of course!). Other times we have to lower the music on your car stereo so you can concentrate better on where you’re going. Why do we do this?
Of course, none of those things matter, but sometimes wondering why we do something can lead to a deeper understanding of who we are. That is true of my journey into pastoral work. “It’s good, ok…but why?”
I was saved as a child, but not just any kind of child, I was a PK, a pastor’s kid. This meant there was always an assumption, always a social peer pressure to follow in my father’s footsteps and so when opportunities came to speak and to share from the bible, the question that always remained was…ok, but why?
Was I doing this because I wanted to please people? to go with the flow of expectation? or was there a genuine call of God on me to serve him in this capacity?
Truth be told, you don’t get very far in God’s work unless God has called you to it, it’s only the reality of God’s call that allows you to run into the darkest of situations armed with the light of God’s word. The bible changes things. The Bible makes a difference; it is living and active and is as relevant today as the day it was written. And in a world that is determined to make us trust in anything other than God and his word, I know I have a calling.
And as a church, I am thankful to see God at work in people’s lives. To lead people to faith and send out mission teams, to see broken hearts comforted and broken lives restored. Church was never meant to be an easy place, but a place where God works through his people coming together. God has been good and I pray he continues to bless us as we look to point others to Him.
Robert Stevenson
Elder
Robert is a retired English teacher who has two grown-up daughters and four young grandchildren.
In his retirement he volunteers with Diabetes UK and Wycliffe Bible Translators, as well as working for the AQE examinations.
As the most recently appointed church elder he’s keen to develop his visiting skills, has a desire for mentoring and discipleship work in the church, and also for outreach to the community surrounding our church. He’s also a regular with the music team.
Brian Hogg
Elder
Brian is a country boy having lived most of his life down the Ards Peninsula until recently when he moved into Newtownards with his wife, Evelyn.
He has two grown up children and, to date, one grandchild and a dog. He is retired now, but was a Civil Servant for about 40 years.
He loves watching sport, supports Tottenham Hotspur and on occasion dabbles at golf.
John Melvin
Elder
John, originally from Bridge of Allan in Stirlingshire, Scotland has been living in Northern Ireland since the mid 1980’s. He met and married Barbara and settled in Newtownards with their son and two daughters.
After 30 years in the toy trade he became a support worker for addiction clients at the Link Family and Community Centre in Newtownards. “I love the job, befriending and supporting them through their lives.”
He also loves being a Grandpa, following Ulster Rugby and walking in the hills.
Jonathan Hamilton
Elder
Jonathan grew up in Bangor, but since marrying Debbie in 1995, he has lived in Newtownards. He has three grown-up sons and two grandchildren.
Jonathan works for a local landscaping business. When he has time off, he enjoys reading and walking the dog and, when time permits, visiting his grandsons in Scotland.
Jonathan has been a member of A.E.C since 1996 and has served as an elder since 2011. Up until recently, he was also involved in the church youth work.
Scott Galloway
Deacon
Tyler McCrum
Deacon
Alvin Morrow
Deacon, Treasurer
Mark Newell
Deacon
Alan Petticrew
Deacon
