Who we are

Gareth Jones

Pastor/Elder

Hi, I'm Gareth, and my role is to lead the team here at Hope Church.

I particularly enjoy chatting to people of all ages and backgrounds about Jesus and the difference he makes to our lives. 

I'm married to Ali, and we have two growing young children who keep us busy. We've recently returned to the UK after 12 years in New Zealand.

I've spent a lot of my years working with young people and university students which I reckon keeps me young! When I'm not working I enjoy getting out on my bike and climbing mountains, preferably with someone else if I can persuade them to tag along! 

Thomas Rowell

Elder

Hi, I'm Thomas. I'm one of the Elders here at Hope Chuch Goldington and am passionate about our worship together and making what we do when we meet together as good as it can be. 

I love learning about Jesus from the bible and sharing that with others, of all ages and backgrounds, and especially love leading our music worship together. 

I've been married to Becky for 20 years, and have 4 children.  I work as a school leader in a secondary school and have specialised in Special Education and looking after those who find school particularly difficult. 

I am a classic middle-aged man in lycra, try and get on my bike as much as possible, and am really in my happy place when digging in my vegetable garden

Tony Toovey

Elder

I’m Tony and I serve as an elder at Hope Church.

I was born in London and later lived in Manchester and Coventry. I came to live and work in Bedford in 1986.

I have been married to my wonderful wife, Angela, for 38 years. We have three amazing, married adult children and we love spending time with our eight lively grandchildren.

For most of my teenage years I did not believe in God but, by God’s kindness, I came to faith in Jesus Christ at the age of nineteen. I have been a member of this church for a long time and have valued opportunities to learn and to teach the Bible in small groups and on Sundays.

Until my retirement, I was a GP in a surgery in the centre of Bedford for over 30 years, with the privilege of caring for many thousands of people with various health problems.

I really enjoy cycling and walking, travelling, reading and listening to music.

James Chewter

Deacon

Hi, I’m James and I serve as a deacon here at Hope Church.

I grew up in a Christian family and came to know Christ at the age of 16. I enjoy serving in the church by leading Sunday set up and running the sound system.

I have been married to my lovely wife Lily since 2016 and we have two daughters who keep us on our toes.

I run a small construction company with my brother during the week and when I am not working or serving in the church I enjoy spending time with family, cooking, going out for walks and pottering around the garden.

John

Deacon

Brian

Apprentice

Hi, I'm Brian. I was born in Argentina (Salta) and then later lived in Rosario. I came to the UK to train in Bible College on 2022. 

I became a Christian at the age on 14 through a Youth Camp in the north of Argentina. Since then I only wanted to serve Jesus and his church and that’s my aim with everything I try to do. 

I love almost any kind of sport activity. I played tennis for many years and I am still doing it. And of course, I love football and I am still excited about the last World Cup and my national team. Apart from that I love reading. 

Ashling

Apprentice

Hi, I'm Ashling, and I'm an apprentice here at Hope Church. My role is to learn and serve the church however I can!

I grew up in Bedford, and after 6 years of studying and working in Exeter, I've come back to Bedford. I'm from a family that doesn't know Jesus, and I heard the gospel for the first time at age 15. Since then, I've loved getting to know God better, and learning to follow and serve him has been a joyful and wild ride.

Throughout uni, I loved working with international students and sharing Jesus with people who don't know him. When I'm not working I love hanging out with people and animals, learning languages and being active. One thing I miss the most about Devon is how close the beach is, but I've found the embankment to be pretty great too - so definitely head down there if you're new to the area!

Ernny

Apprentice

Hi, I'm Ernny. I am a part time apprentice and my role is to learn and serve God and His people at Hope Church Goldington.

I was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and came to study and work in Bedford in 2017. I grew up in a Christian family and came to know Christ at the age of 15. I enjoy serving in the church by helping to lead the children and youth groups and meeting one on one to read the Bible with different people.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, baking, playing badminton and learning different languages.