1st September 2008 saw Mark Stone join the church leadership full time. Mark has been the leader of our worship group for some time but he brings a wealth of experience to our staff.

For the last five years he has been a “Christian Union Staff worker” with Christian Unions in Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield Universities and colleges. He has been training, resourcing and working alongside students, implementing the aim of Christian Unions which is to make disciples of Christ in the student world, by “Living for Jesus and Speaking for Jesus!” Mark has been involved in Bible Studies, One 2 One meetings with students, preaching and teaching in CUs in the region, Evangelism Training Seminars, speaking at evangelistic events, helping to organise and run mission weeks and developing a strategy for making disciples.

Mark began working for the church in September 2008. Although initially a church worker he has been treated as an “assistant pastor” from the start. As a pastor he is, of course, involved in every area of church life, but especially he is responsible for:

• Worship – Developing sung worship by investing in the team and inputting into the church services.
• Student Work – Integrating students into the life of the church and supporting leavers.
• Discipleship – Supporting the discipleship of the youth and youth leaders.
• Preaching & Teaching – Sharing in the preaching and teaching ministry of the church.
• Small Groups Development – Offering support, resources, and encouragement to new and current leaders.

Mark is married to Sarah who used to be our Youth Worker and who now heads up the HSUP schools work in the town.