Who's who
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Mel Lacy was invited to become the first Executive Director of Growing Young Disciples in late 2017. Having been involved with the Growing Young Disciples conference for many years, as well as being significantly committed to both doing and training others to do children’s and youth ministry, she was thrilled to accept the invitation.
Mel has been doing children’s and youth ministry in various ways, countries and contexts for over twenty years. She has had extensive experience in church based children’s and youth ministry and has, more recently, been the Director of the Children’s and Youth Ministry Course at Oak Hill College. She remains passionate about theological training for those in children’s, youth and family ministry and is now on the faculty of Crosslands, heading up the Youth and Children’s Ministry track.
Right from her early ministry days Mel has given much of her free time to serving in various children’s and youth ministry ventures. She was instrumental in establishing a movement in Ireland called Soul Truth, has served at the Keswick Convention in the youth ministry for many years and has also been involved with the youth ministry at Word Alive for over 15 years.
Mel was the author of the New City Catechism Curriculum, published in 2018 by Crossway in partnership with The Gospel Coalition. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends, or being on or in water!
Caz joined the Growing Young Disciples Team in 2021 and is now the Director of the Academy. After many years in further education and a MSc in Occupational Therapy, she worked as a ministry trainee at Carlisle Baptist Church whilst training on the NWGP Ministry Training Course. Keen for further theological training she studied Theology (for Children’s and Youth Ministry) at Oak Hill College, before working as Families Worker at Church by the Bay in Morecambe for 3 years. Caz has been involved with training others in families, children, and youth ministry for 7 years both in the local church and at larger training events.
Caz is married to Ben, Assistant minister at Trinity Church Chester, and they have a 2 year old, Anna. Together they are preparing to move to North Wales to plant a church with the IPC.
Jane Watkins joined Growing Young Disciples as Director of Mentoring in January 2022. She was Head of Children’s Ministry at Above Bar Church, Southampton, for over fifteen years, having previously been a teacher. She loves working with children’s and families workers and volunteers, as well as parents, to encourage and equip them in their roles. She benefitted greatly from Growing Young Disciples conferences and training over many years, and is grateful for individuals who encouraged and equipped her in her role. She sees it as an immense privilege to now be in a role where she can encourage and equip others.
Jane is studying for the Crosslands MA in Christian ministry. She is married to Tony, and they have three adult sons.
Peter joined Growing Young Disciples in September 2021. Prior to this, he spent 12 years in local church ministry in Northern Ireland working with children, young people and families. He is passionate about helping local churches to raise the next generation for Jesus and is particularly burdened to help people teach the Bible creatively and clearly to children and teenagers. Peter has taught on youth ministry at Union Theological College in Belfast, Moorlands College (NI), Irish Baptist College and is currently a tutor with Crosslands Seminary.
He holds a Bachelor of Divinity degree and a Masters in Theology, both from Union Theological College in Belfast. He is married to Linda, Dad to Tobias and Eden and in his spare time enjoys reading, playing golf, good coffee and watching his beloved Leeds United!
Johnny joined Growing Young Disciples in January 2023. Since 2000, he has been involved in full-time ministry to children and young people, working for various organisations and churches throughout Northern Ireland. For 13 years, prior to joining GYD, he served in St Elizabeth’s Church (Belfast), first as Youth and Children’s Worker and then as Associate Minister. Johnny is also the Chairperson of the Irish Youth Convention, an organisation which desires to see generations of young people, across the whole island of Ireland, raised up to be disciple making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Johnny loves encouraging and equipping others to open up the Bible with children and young people. He particularly enjoys working alongside volunteers, within the local church, supporting and training them as they seek to communicate the good news of God’s Word to the next generations.
Johnny is married to Susanna, Dad to Lois and Joel, and in his spare time enjoys time on his motorbike, Paddleboarding, drinking coffee and cheering on the mighty Liverpool FC.
Roz joined Growing Young Disciples as Director of Operations in July 2022, she is loving her role and being part of the team. Prior to this she worked at Keswick Ministries for almost 10 years, being responsible for donor relations and donations, including managing the ‘Gift Processing Team’ during the 3 weeks of Convention.
Roz moved to Cumbria from Biggin Hill, Kent in 2007, she is currently living in Whitehaven on the West Coast and has been actively involved in her local church since becoming a Christian in 1998, mainly through youth ministry and latterly being Head of Finance and is currently serving as a Trustee.
Roz has 4 adult children and enjoys spending her spare time with them, her grandchildren and friends. Also walking the rugged coastline with her dog, a Bedlington-Whippet, and is often found foraging for seaweeds and other coastal delights, which she particularly enjoys doing on warm summer days!
Growing Young Disciples has a threefold mandate: to train, resource, and advise…
This year, our theme is ‘Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King’. We will use the traditional categories of Jesus as prophet, priest, and king to enhance our understanding of his life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Be prepared to be blown away by the majesty and beauty of the Lord Jesus!
Encouraging, training and equipping volunteers.
In-person or online training for your church.
A bespoke one-to-one programme to nurture and develop children’s, youth and families workers at any stage in their ministry.
All content © Growing Young Disciples 2024.
Registered Charity Number 1178450.
Privacy Policy. Terms & Conditions. Event Booking Terms & Conditions.
Design by ninefootone.
