Leaders : New Life Church Cambridge

"We really feel like each person at NLC can have a sense of ownership of the church... there is no big hierarchy and there's a feeling that anyone would be welcome to contribute if they have something they want to do, or a talent they want to use."

- Shan & Clive

We take seriously our commission to empower and release everyone into their God-given gifting and roles, so we encourage many people to serve as leaders at NLC. Ian & Carole Rawley have overall pastoral care of NLC, assisted by the 'Responsibility Group'

Ian & Carole Rawley

Ian became a Christian in 1974 and was dramatically baptised in the Holy Spirit soon afterwards. After studying history in the USA, he read law at St John's College, Cambridge and then completed his legal studies in London to become a barrister in 1980. Not long afterwards, Ian went to Bible College to prepare for 'full-time' Christian ministry. It was while he was there that he met and married Carole....

Carole became a Christian in 1976, and was almost immediately involved in helping to pioneer a new church. After her business degree, she met and married Ian, becoming a pastor's wife and new mother in swift succession. In 1996, she went back to higher education - to Homerton College, Cambridge - and qualified as a primary school teacher. She spent several years combining teaching at local primary schools with the demands of motherhood and ministry. Today, she is an adjunct member of the Faculty at Homerton College, but devotes most of her time to her ministry in the church. Ian and Carole have pastored churches in South Wales and West Yorkshire, and now pastor New Life Church, Cambridge. Through their clear prophetic and teaching ministry, they work very closely with Alan & Betty Scotland in the care and oversight of the churches that are part of Lifelink International, as well as ministering to the wider church in the UK and overseas.

Ian also serves part-time as a local magistrate, is Chairman of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee for southern Cambridgeshire, and is on the Boards of Lifelink International and the Bible College of Wales. In the recent past, he was Chair of Governors at the largest primary school in Cambridge. He is also very relieved to have just been awarded his MTh degree.

Ian & Carole have lived in Cambridge since 1989. Their four children are aged between 17 and 26 - 3 single sons and one married daughter!

Ben Rawley

Ben is on staff with New Life Church and has responsibility primarily for the youth (Tribe) but seems to be involved in almost every area of the Church! Around since the beginning, Ben joined the NLC staff in Sept 2007, when he finished his third year of Bible College. As well as having been involved in ministry for a number of years, Ben also dabbles in business, tree planting and the occasional pint of ale.

Interns

We usually have at least one intern each year who serves on the youth team.

This year we have two girls. Lorna Wood joined us in Sept 2009 and plans to be around for at least three years while she does her degree in Youth Ministry.

As well as the general stuff, Lorna supports many of our young women and is involved in schools work in Histon and Impington. She's a great cook although seems to be convinced that James Bond lives under her Mum's house!

Steph Orr hails from the Wirral and is with us from Jan-June 2010. She is involved in youth, women's and girls' ministry as part of her final year at the Trinity School of Theology.

Responsibility Group

The Responsibility Group (RG) consists of a variety of people who have a heart for - and leadership of - differing aspects of life at NLC. Meeting on a regular basis, the RG ensures that NLC remains focussed on its core values, and in close touch with the needs of its membership.

(Picture shows some of the RG being more than happy to fulfil their chatting, drinking coffee and eating nice chocolate biscuits duties!)