Meet Mike and Rob On Monday, 13 July, a special church members' meeting was held at which Mike Wildsmith and Rob Whiteway were called to serve on the pastoral team of the church. For those of you who don't yet know them too well, here is a brief pen-portrait of them both. Mike Wildsmith Mike is married to Trish and has two children - Jack (15) and Molly (13). He was brought up in a Christian home in Batley, Yorkshire, and was converted when he was almost 11 years old. Later on he came to Liverpool, where he studied music at the University. Following his time at the Uni, Mike trained as a Chartered Accountant before moving into Management Consultancy and then Personnel Management. Through his work, Mike gained skills in people development, team building, general management and leadership. While he was at Bridge Chapel, Mike developed the music ministry, led a number of small groups and jointly led the youth work for the 11-18 age group, helping to oversee the development of Target and Quest. He also helped to launch the young adult ministry and supported student work. He served as a deacon for 14 years, and served as a full time youth worker before being called to be Pastor at City Evangelical Church in Leeds in 2003. Mike is a graduate of the very first Northern Cornhill course and is currently a course director of Yorkshire Training, where he is involved in the equipping of future gospel ministers. Mike will be joining us during summer 2010. Rob Whiteway Rob is married to Gill and has three daughters – Anna (18), Katie (16) and Laura (13). He was born in Liverpool and became a Christian at the age of 21 through the ministry of Bridge Chapel. Shortly after his conversion, Rob moved with Gill to Bridgend in South Wales, where they got involved in a small Welsh Chapel. With the help of a mature Christian couple, they started a youth work and Sunday School, and Rob became a deacon. In 1992 they moved to Congleton, and got involved in the work at Wheelock Heath Baptist Church. Rob became a youth leader there, and eventually took over the youth leadership role within the church as well as being heavily involved in the Sunday School ministry. While at Congleton, Rob felt the calling into full time Christian ministry. He pursued a full time distance learning degree in theology with WEST, and became Assistant Pastor at Wem Baptist Church in February 2006. Immediately before entering full time Christian ministry, Rob was employed as a General Manager of a company in the mobile phone business. Rob will be joining us during autumn 2009.

Feedback:

Jane Greenop (Guest) 02/08/2009, 17:34 I am thrilled and excited that Rob is going to be part of the team at Bridge. The Lord moves in magnificant ways when I recall our conversion . The Lord has chosen this path for him and its great to see God's plan unfold in his life. Rob is a good man and a great brother and he loves the Lord with a passion. I know you will be blessed by his input at Bridge Chapel. Kelly Runacus (Guest) 30/09/2009, 23:31 I am so glad that Mike Wildsmith is coming back to Liverpool to come to the Bridge Chapel to serve the Lord in our church and our community, It will nice to meet Rob Whiteway and that he will be made very welcome to the church. Eddie Roberts (Stanley Park) (Guest) 02/12/2009, 17:21 Great to see the boys are back in town.