UK Support Teams

Looking for help with some aspect of your Messy Church? We have different teams to help you start, run or develop your Messy Church, depending on what you’re looking for. Click on a team below to meet them.

The Admin team

We’re here to support you with any administrative aspect of your Messy Church ministry and can help you find the help you need. We’re part of the BRF staff team.

The Advocates team

We’d love to speak to your church about Messy Church and the other ministries of BRF (Anna Chaplaincy for Older People, Living Faith, Parenting for Faith). We’re also the team to talk to about raising funds for Messy Church at BRF.

Tom Donoghue

I live in the beautiful Peak District where I enjoy making the most of the views by going for walks and exploring the outdoors. I am married to Chloe and I work full time as an Evangelist at Cliff College.

Mary Judkins

Retired to Cornwall 4 years ago. Been involved in ministry to children, young people and families since teenage years. Passionate about sharing God's story with Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension by whatever means I can. The only way to kingdom growth is intergenerational! Loved my hot tub in the Covid 19 Lockdown!

Paul Wilson

I live in Ayr Scotland and have been involved in MC for over 10 years. I loved music and running as many 5K's as I can.

Martyn Payne

Hi there. I retired from the BRF Messy Church team at the of 2017 and since then have been involved in various voluntary roles locally and overseas; I have also worked as a freelancer for BRF. I have recently taken up role as a minister for a village church in Essex and hope to start a Messy Church there as soon as it is possible again.

Helen Venn

I started a Messy Church in 4 rural parishes in Kent where there were virtually no children or families in the churches but plenty of children in the schools. I led the team for 6 years before we retired and moved away. I loved seeing families drawn into a community and coming to know the love of God in their lives.

Graham Ransom

Methodist minister, story-teller and amateur magician. Husband, father and grandfather. I have been a minister for nearly 30 years, and I love the opportunities it offers. I am a late convert to messy church, but an enthusiastic one.

Michelle Farrelly

Michelle says, 'i moved to Devon two years ago from south London with my husband, where I was previously one of the Regional Coordinators for south-west London. I have been involved with Messy Church for a number of years. I have experience in running both large and small Messy Churches in different denominations. I am passionate about the work of the Bible Reading Fellowship and like nothing more then walking with churches as they discover what the next step that God has lined up for them.

Melissa Wearden

Hi! I'm Melissa, I'm the Children's and Families Minister at Holy Trinity, Hurdsfield Church in Macclesfield. I am passionate about Messy Church, not just because it is so imaginative and sometimes bonkers but because I get to meet lots of lovely people and tell them about Jesus. Claims to fame: presented a gift to Princess Margaret, preached at Chester Cathedral and met Wayne Rooney in the co op!

The Alongsiders team

We’d love to help you develop a particular aspect of your existing Messy Church or to help you work through a challenge. We can offer you a ‘critical friend’ or ‘informal coach’ to accompany you with good questions and creative listening.

Ruth Attwood

I have been a Christian since childhood and am committed to sharing faith with children and families. As a retired teacher, I enjoy learning and helping others learn. I've lived and worshipped in Repton, Derbyshire for over 30 years and am a Reader at the parish church. Our Messy Church started in 2012 and is one of the main outreaches of our church, which otherwise has a mainly older congregation.

Reuben Addis

I am a social worker and Mental health practitioner in an NHS outpatient CAMHS team. I am an elder in my local Church of Scotland Church and a candidate for Ordained Local Ministry. I regularly sit on a fostering panel and have some family therapy experience (including work with care experienced children).

Naomi Savage

I'm working as a Children and Families Worker at a Church in Newcastle under Lyme at the moment, but have been in Children's Church Ministry for many years, including running two Messy Churches. My passion is to see children and their families growing and delighting in Jesus and their faith in Him.

Hilary Gower

I've been a Sunday School teacher and children's leader at my church for over 30 years. We've been doing Messy Church for about seven years. Two years ago I became one of two regional co-ordinators for MC SW London. I also work with learning-disabled teenagers at a local college.

Helen Laird

Hi I am Helen Laird, I live in Worcester, I am a lifelong Methodist, and currently work as a Mission Enabler for the Church of England Worcester Diocese. I have been involved in Messy Church for about 15 years, and love the fact that God is in the glue and glitter.

Mel Cleveland

I helped start up and run a Messy Church in Coventry for 12 years before coming to Devon, and I love all things Messy, being part of a team and encouraging absolutely everyone to be adventurous and have a go at something new.

Linda Galpin

I'm Linda Galpin from Woodley near Reading and have 4 grown up children. I am the children and families worker at my local church where I also lead our Messy Church which has been running for the past 10 years. I Iove seeing families engaging and growing in faith together through Messy Church.

Cerys Hughes

I have been involved in Messy Church for around 12 years and currently work in Lichfield Diocese, enabling, supporting and encouraging Messy Church teams across North Shropshire. I am passionate about reaching the whole community through new and creative forms of church and so I also work part-time in a large urban parish in Telford where I get to try out my crazy ideas!

Graham Ransom

Methodist minister, story-teller and amateur magician. Husband, father and grandfather. I have been a minister for nearly 30 years, and I love the opportunities it offers. I am a late convert to messy church, but an enthusiastic one.

The Getting Going team

We’re here to chat to you about the basics of starting a Messy Church. We’ve all started one or more Messy Churches ourselves, and have a particular interest in enabling others to make the best possible start. We’d love to answer your questions, however large or small.

Jayne Bartin

Hi My name is Jayne, I live in a small village called Limington just outside of Yeovil with my two children Nathan and Mark. I work as a HLTA in a primary school where I have been for the past 11 years. I am the co ordinator for my benefice Messy church and I have been a regional co ordinator for a short time also.

Hazel Winstanley

I live in South Yorkshire and run a Messy Church at Thrybergh. I am involved in organising Messy Church at Rotherham Show.

Tracey Fitzsimmons

Tracey is a Family Worker at Standish Methodist Church and a Schools and Family Worker with Wigan Methodist Circuit. She coordinates Messy Churches in the Methodist circuit and is excited about supporting more.

Alison Thurlow

Alison is married to Paul, they have 3 grown-up children and 1 grandson and for the past 10 years they have been leading a large Messy Church in Yate, Bristol. She is passionate about inter-generational worship and seeing young people involved in leadership at Messy Church.

Ruth Attwood

I have been a Christian since childhood and am committed to sharing faith with children and families. As a retired teacher, I enjoy learning and helping others learn. I've lived and worshipped in Repton, Derbyshire for over 30 years and am a Reader at the parish church. Our Messy Church started in 2012 and is one of the main outreaches of our church, which otherwise has a mainly older congregation.

Hilary Gower

I've been a Sunday School teacher and children's leader at my church for over 30 years. We've been doing Messy Church for about seven years. Two years ago I became one of two regional co-ordinators for MC SW London. I also work with learning-disabled teenagers at a local college.

Tom Donoghue

I live in the beautiful Peak District where I enjoy making the most of the views by going for walks and exploring the outdoors. I am married to Chloe and I work full time as an Evangelist at Cliff College.

Helen Venn

I started a Messy Church in 4 rural parishes in Kent where there were virtually no children or families in the churches but plenty of children in the schools. I led the team for 6 years before we retired and moved away. I loved seeing families drawn into a community and coming to know the love of God in their lives.

The Pool of Wisdom team

We’re experienced Messy Church leaders who help organise, plan and deliver particular events with BRF for the Messy Church network. We also provide advice and guidance to the BRF Messy Church team.

Louise Warner

I am the Children and Families Officer for the Diocese of Leicester. I am known for having a lot of resources, looking for bargains that can be used for creative prayer and praying with sweets. I'm passionate about Messy Church and the core values.

Kathy Bland

Kathy has been part of the Leominster Priory Messy Church team since 2010. She works part time for Hereford Diocese as Intergenerational Church Enabler and is a Licensed Lay Pioneer in Leominster where she also helps run the local food bank. Kathy is passionate about following Jesus to the margins and making sure faith and social action walk hand in hand.

Catherine Johnson

I’m Catherine, a curate in Greater Manchester. I run Messy Church in my curacy church and before that led Messy for 10 years in my last church as well as supporting other Messy Churches across Manchester. I’m passionate about supporting churches to make their Messy the best it can be.

Mel Cleveland

I helped start up and run a Messy Church in Coventry for 12 years before coming to Devon, and I love all things Messy, being part of a team and encouraging absolutely everyone to be adventurous and have a go at something new.

Linda Galpin

I'm Linda Galpin from Woodley near Reading and have 4 grown up children. I am the children and families worker at my local church where I also lead our Messy Church which has been running for the past 10 years. I Iove seeing families engaging and growing in faith together through Messy Church.

Martyn Payne

Hi there. I retired from the BRF Messy Church team at the of 2017 and since then have been involved in various voluntary roles locally and overseas; I have also worked as a freelancer for BRF. I have recently taken up role as a minister for a village church in Essex and hope to start a Messy Church there as soon as it is possible again.

The Prayer team

We make prayer in Messy Church a priority. Ask us for creative prayer ideas to use at your Messy Church, for recommendations of books or other resources about prayer, or send us prayer requests for your Messy Church.

Rachel Gotobed

Wife, Mum, Friend - just some of the names of who I am. Regional Specialist for Family Ministries (Salvation Army), Early Years Sunday School teacher, Messy Church Leader - just some of the titles of what I do. Autism advocate, cake baker, script writer - just some of the things that make me me!

Lydia Harrison

I have a passion for Messy Church, as I think it is really important to help everyone understand the love of God and what this can mean in their lives, and to build a relationship with him at home as well as at church. Prayer is a vital part of our life together.

Catherine Johnson

I’m Catherine, a curate in Greater Manchester. I run Messy Church in my curacy church and before that led Messy for 10 years in my last church as well as supporting other Messy Churches across Manchester. I’m passionate about supporting churches to make their Messy the best it can be.

Jayne Bartin

Hi My name is Jayne, I live in a small village called Limington just outside of Yeovil with my two children Nathan and Mark. I work as a HLTA in a primary school where I have been for the past 11 years. I am the co ordinator for my benefice Messy church and I have been a regional co ordinator for a short time also.

Paul Wilson

I live in Ayr Scotland and have been involved in MC for over 10 years. I loved music and running as many 5K's as I can.

Martyn Payne

Hi there. I retired from the BRF Messy Church team at the of 2017 and since then have been involved in various voluntary roles locally and overseas; I have also worked as a freelancer for BRF. I have recently taken up role as a minister for a village church in Essex and hope to start a Messy Church there as soon as it is possible again.

The Specialists team

We have an expertise in different aspects of Messy Church, like Science, additional needs, young leaders or other areas. We are also a team with people who have a responsibility for particular geographical areas.

Trish Hahn

My name is Trish Hahn and I am the SEND Co-ordinator for Messy Church, I specialise in creating Messy Church resources for families who have children, teens with additional needs & disabilities. I love to be creative and try lots of new and exciting ideas.

Jonathan Bland

I am Jonathan and I am 15. I have been going to Messy Church for as long as I can remember and been part of the team for almost as long. I like running science activities and challenges. During lockdown I helped create Messy Church videos and have founded the Messy Young Leaders group which has members across the globe! In this role I hope to inspire Messy Churches to focus more on their teenagers and to inspire young people to take a more active role in their Messy Church. In my spare time I play a melodeon and I am a big fan of the Minecraft series Hermitcraft.

Hannah Tarring

I am a community hub development advisor for the board of education in Salisbury Diocese and love working with churches, schools and communities to launch new and exciting ways to engage children, families and young people. Messy Church is such a gift and I feel blessed to be on this Messy journey together as we creatively engage people in faith.

Dave Gregory

I am a Baptist Minister with a back ground in science and climate change. I try to combine faith and science in my work, and as Dr Dave coordinate Messy Church Does Science, using simple experiments to encounter the wonder of creation and the wonder of the creator.

Yvonne Clark

I moved to Shetland from Edinburgh over 34 years ago. I recently retired from my post as an ASN teacher. I became involved with Messy Church at Scalloway Methodist Church and thoroughly enjoy working with the families.

Jane Paine

I'm a Deacon in the Mid-Lincolnshire Methodist Circuit and also Youth, Children's and Family Work Enabler for the Lincolnshire District. I'm married with three daughters and three gorgeous grandchildren. I love Messy Church especially the way God brings good things out of Messy Church in ways I wouldn't expect.

Louise Warner

I am the Children and Families Officer for the Diocese of Leicester. I am known for having a lot of resources, looking for bargains that can be used for creative prayer and praying with sweets. I'm passionate about Messy Church and the core values.

Kathy Bland

Kathy has been part of the Leominster Priory Messy Church team since 2010. She works part time for Hereford Diocese as Intergenerational Church Enabler and is a Licensed Lay Pioneer in Leominster where she also helps run the local food bank. Kathy is passionate about following Jesus to the margins and making sure faith and social action walk hand in hand.

Reuben Addis

I am a social worker and Mental health practitioner in an NHS outpatient CAMHS team. I am an elder in my local Church of Scotland Church and a candidate for Ordained Local Ministry. I regularly sit on a fostering panel and have some family therapy experience (including work with care experienced children).

Cerys Hughes

I have been involved in Messy Church for around 12 years and currently work in Lichfield Diocese, enabling, supporting and encouraging Messy Church teams across North Shropshire. I am passionate about reaching the whole community through new and creative forms of church and so I also work part-time in a large urban parish in Telford where I get to try out my crazy ideas!

Michelle Farrelly

Michelle says, 'i moved to Devon two years ago from south London with my husband, where I was previously one of the Regional Coordinators for south-west London. I have been involved with Messy Church for a number of years. I have experience in running both large and small Messy Churches in different denominations. I am passionate about the work of the Bible Reading Fellowship and like nothing more then walking with churches as they discover what the next step that God has lined up for them.

The Trainers team

We’re experienced in both Messy Church as practitioners ourselves and in giving you an excellent experience of training. Whether it’s online training or face to face training, you can be confident you’ll be encouraged, challenged and equipped.

David Bland

Based in Herefordshire, I've been part the leadership team of a Market Town Messy Church for 10 years. Working as an Intergenerational Missioner I've founded a new Messy Church on a Housing Estate. Committed to helping everyone take part and lead Messy Churches that fit the context God placed them in.

Becky May

Is a freelance writer and trainer with a heart for children, young people and families. She is part of the leadership team of Wixams Church, a Messy Church plant on a new housing development.

Kathy Bland

Kathy has been part of the Leominster Priory Messy Church team since 2010. She works part time for Hereford Diocese as Intergenerational Church Enabler and is a Licensed Lay Pioneer in Leominster where she also helps run the local food bank. Kathy is passionate about following Jesus to the margins and making sure faith and social action walk hand in hand.

Martyn Payne

Hi there. I retired from the BRF Messy Church team at the of 2017 and since then have been involved in various voluntary roles locally and overseas; I have also worked as a freelancer for BRF. I have recently taken up role as a minister for a village church in Essex and hope to start a Messy Church there as soon as it is possible again.

The Writers and Readers team

We’re a team of skilled communicators, who share Messy Church stories and ideas across the network through posts, articles and blogs. We’re also happy to read or view resources to see if they’re helpful to other Messy Churches.

Iain Nash

I am Children's Pastor at Southcourt Baptist Church in Aylesbury, Bucks and trustee responsible for The Treehouse Pre-School, which is an area of our community work at the Church. I also lead our Messy Church programme and have contributed to the Get Messy magazine.

Dawn Savidge

My Messy Church journey began over 5 years ago. I have trained Messy Church leaders in lots of different aspects of MC in the North for the past few years. For my day job I am a Children, Families and Young People Advisor both locally for the Leeds Diocese and nationally for Jesus Shaped People. Feel free to contact me.

David Mason

After retiring from a career in banking I started attending services at Lichfield Cathedral and was subsequently confirmed. I somewhat reluctantly agreed to help when they started a Messy Church but enjoyed it so much I have been helping to organize and run it for over five years.

Becky May

Is a freelance writer and trainer with a heart for children, young people and families. She is part of the leadership team of Wixams Church, a Messy Church plant on a new housing development.

Hannah Tarring

I am a community hub development advisor for the board of education in Salisbury Diocese and love working with churches, schools and communities to launch new and exciting ways to engage children, families and young people. Messy Church is such a gift and I feel blessed to be on this Messy journey together as we creatively engage people in faith.

Rachel Gotobed

Wife, Mum, Friend - just some of the names of who I am. Regional Specialist for Family Ministries (Salvation Army), Early Years Sunday School teacher, Messy Church Leader - just some of the titles of what I do. Autism advocate, cake baker, script writer - just some of the things that make me me!

Lydia Harrison

I have a passion for Messy Church, as I think it is really important to help everyone understand the love of God and what this can mean in their lives, and to build a relationship with him at home as well as at church. Prayer is a vital part of our life together.

Tracey Fitzsimmons

Tracey is a Family Worker at Standish Methodist Church and a Schools and Family Worker with Wigan Methodist Circuit. She coordinates Messy Churches in the Methodist circuit and is excited about supporting more.

Helen Laird

Hi I am Helen Laird, I live in Worcester, I am a lifelong Methodist, and currently work as a Mission Enabler for the Church of England Worcester Diocese. I have been involved in Messy Church for about 15 years, and love the fact that God is in the glue and glitter.