People

Paul Clarke, Pastor

Paul (pictured left with wife Sarah) was born in Birmingham and grew up in Kings Heath. In 1976 he started working for Cadbury Ltd., where he stayed in a variety of marketing and design roles until the end of 2003. Paul and his family joined the then Trinity church in 1998 and he joined the Eldership there in 2001. Paul now lives in Cotteridge with his wife Sarah and their four children Lydia, Megan, Paddy and Caleb. At the beginning of 2004 he felt called to take on the role of full time pastor of the church, whilst training as a student on the Together in Mission MA in Missional Leadership. Paul was ordained into ministry within the Churches of Christ in July 2005.

After completing a degree in Classics at Liverpool University, Sarah moved to Birmingham to work for several years in the Marketing department of Cadbury’s, where she and Paul met. They were married in 1994 and after the birth of their first child, Megan, in 1996 Sarah left work to be a full time mum. In the past few years Sarah has carried out freelance PR and writing work and also helps Paul in his work at The Pavilion church

Alysen Merrill, Associate Pastor

Ally, joined The Pavilion in 2008 from a sister church in Leicester. She comes from America, and came to England as a missionary being supported in her UK missions by US churches. She shares her time as Ass. Pastor with a role teaching and mentoring young leaders. Her roll at The Pavilion includes – Small groups, Youth, making disciples.

Martin, Associate Pastor and Lynda Robinson Community Pastor

The Elders of The Pavilion Christian Community are the overseers of the spiritual and practical life of the church.

Martin and Lynda have lived in Bournville for most of their married life; Lynda was born in Bournville. They have three adult children and one grandchild. They both work for a training charity that helps develop leadership skills amongst church leaders throughout Britain.

Lynda has a passion for prayer and contemplative Christianity – she is a member of the Northumbria Celtic community and coordinates the West Midlands group. Martin is an author and lecturer, and travels widely in connection with his writing and speaking assignments.

Mary Publicover and Nicci Gagel, Elders

Mary: “I have been part of The Pavilion church – oh for ever – about fifteen years or so, and have also been part of the Eldership for a very long time. I have been involved with pastoral care, small group leadership, children’s work, worship leading and generally lending a hand. I have just completed a year studying the Bible and Christian ideas and life with the Anvil Trust Workshop. I love Pavilion’s informal worship style, but also want to learn to hear God in quiet and contemplative prayer. I am very challenged by God’s call for us to seek justice and mercy in this suffering world, and very excited by the Make Poverty History campaign. I am also, of course, challenged by my two teenage children, but I enjoy my role in a missional organisation helping to equip Christian leaders, and I am supported by my long-suffering husband Steve.”

Nicci has been coming to The Pavilion church since 2000, and in 2004 formally assumed the role of an Elder, supported by the leadership and the congregation. Her passion is for the kingdom of God to be made manifest in the ordinary lives of men, women and children. Nicci loves to be involved with encouraging and challenging people to reach their potential. Nicci assists in leading quarterly meetings hosted by and for women (The Purple Patch) and she is also involved with youth work: she runs a home group for young adults, ranging from 13 to 19 years old.

Mark Isgrove, Youth Pastor

Mark grew up in Moseley, Birmingham and moved to Bournville to join Pavilion Christian Community in September 2009. He has been married to his wife Genny since 2007 and they have a son Jonah, who was born early 2009. Mark was originally a member of Riverside Church and joined their performing arts school for 2 years, before moving to Winsford, Cheshire to begin full time Youth Work. During his time there he began a degree in Theology. Following his work in Cheshire he moved to Alvechurch, where he was the Children’s and Youth Pastor at St Laurence Church for 3 years.

Over the past years Mark has worked with a diverse mixture of Churches and with people of vastly different backgrounds. Mark is very much looking forward to what God has planned for the people of our community, and he hopes to develop the youth ministry here building on the previous work of John, Leah and Tom.

Pete Bowen, Elder

Pete and his wife Jan have lived in Bournville for over 20 years and have been part of this church community during the whole time. They have 4 adult children.

In his work life Pete is a guard on the railways, currently with cross country trains. At leisure he enjoys walking in the countryside, reading and real ale…

As an Elder he shares in the oversight of the church and its mission including doing occasionally preaching.

Lydia Walker, Worship Co-Ordinator

Lydia: Has been at The Pavilion for 8 years. She is studying for a degree in Music at Birmingham’s conservator. Lydia brings a passion and joy to her worship leading which helps the body find their own voice as they worship God. Lydia is marrying Brian English next June.

Stephen Gray, Outreach Co-Ordinator

Stephen works in regional economic development. He has been a Christian for most of his adult life. He enjoys evangelism and led the then Trinity Church’s annual Alpha course for a number of years. He is also involved with Friends International in organising hospitality for overseas students at Birmingham University. He is a keen mountain walker.

Sheila Pitcher, Deacon

Sheila a retired teacher has been with The Pavilion since 2005. She works as a pastor to the over 60’s in our community, as well as working in our cafe. One of Sheila’s responsibilities takes her into Lucton house a sheltered housing unit on heath Rd, Bournville. where she works with the residents as a voluntary support worker.

Dennis Evans, Deacon

Den’s role as a Deacon is centred around our commercial ministry TCC Ltd. he chairs our charitable trust, bringing his strategic and business development skills to bear.

Den is married to Fi they have a baby son Ethan who was born in 2009.

Mary Rollin, Elder

Born in Retford Notts, I moved to Spain, married in 1967, and became a Christian at St George’s Church, Barcelona in 1973. I lived in and near Barcelona until 1999, bringing up four children and eventually training as a TEFL teacher. Two of my children are married, and I am the proud grandmum of two little ones. Another grandchild is expected in June this year.

I worked for South American Mission Society in Birmingham until 2003, then for Together in Mission and International Nepal Fellowship, as PA to the respective CEOs. For the last year, I have worked in Oxford for Church Missionary Society with the Latin America Team, helping with the integration project for SAMS and CMS and as PA the Mission Director for Latin America.

I’ve been at PCC for around five years and feel very much part of the church family. It’s been a great experience to be in a weekly house group and to help out with Alpha. I give heartfelt thanks to God for bringing me through many changes over the years, and to have kept me safe and secure in him at all times.

Brian English, Elder

I’m originally from Aldershot in Hampshire. After living in a few places (inc. Nepal) due to my work in mission support, I arrived in B’ham in 2007 and have been part of The Pavilio Community ever since. I currently work for an international mission organisation doing supporter relations and fundraising. I meet my fiancee, Lydia, at The Pavilion and we are getting married this July. I’m passionate to see people using the gifts that God has given them and want to be an encourager of this.

Alan Deakin

Birmingham born, married to childhood sweetheart, Ruth. Four sons.

Trained as an accountant, worked as a Finance Director until 2004 then made a career switch into teaching Mathematics in Secondary schools, having spent many years being involved in church-based youth work. Have also been a School Governor since 1998.

Leisure time is swamped by Football – Aston Villa Seaon Ticket, and heavy involvement with Alvechurch FC. Hate running but will run around with a ball for hours if allowed. Into sports biographies and alternative history novels.