Leadership Team
Rob and Eileen Burwood have been part of the church since 1990, joining upon their return from Pastoring in Cornwall for 6 years. Prior to this Rob was the Assistant Minister at Cornerstone Evangelical Church: which planted The Kings Church in 1987. They have a long standing interest and heart for the church in Arnold.
Rob works for Connexions, with 14-25 year olds; most of his caseload have learning difficulties and disabilities. Eileen works for Barnardos as the Volunteering Development Manager for the East Midlands.
They have a passion to see young believers discipled in the Word and Spirit, accountable and secure in God. They pioneered Fusion – an intergenerational cell group – and now lead another called Brink. Eileen has taught young people on Sunday mornings since 1994. Rob serves as an Elder and Trustee, he oversees the preaching and teaching. They share the vision to see the church restored to a New Testament pattern in our generation: dominated by the Holy Spirit and regulated by God’s Word.
Duncan and Heather Lyon have been in membership of the King’s Church since it was first established. They have lived in the Arnold and Woodthorpe area all of their married life. Duncan is one of our Elders and is a Trustee, having particular responsibilities in the areas of Pastoral Care and the Home Group life of the Church. Heather is part of the Church’s worship team and is involved in our day-time Alpha course. Together they have acted at hosts on the Church’s Marriage Course.
A keen birdwatcher and naturalist, Duncan is by day a private client solicitor with Ellis-Fermor & Negus, a local three-office law firm. Heather is a teacher in a local primary school.
They have three children at different stages in their education and love making the most of the beautiful countryside just on the doorstep of Nottingham.
Mark and Sarah Hopkins have been a part of The King’s Church since 1991, joining when they moved up to Nottingham. Mark serves as one of the Elders and has particular responsibility, with Rob, for Discipleship and Teaching. Mark is also involved in leading worship and organising family services. Sarah overseas the Sunday morning Explode team and is also one of the creative forces behind the church puppets Rosie and Nick.
They have two daughters. Mark works as a teacher in a local secondary school and Sarah teaches part-time in a local primary school.
Jonathan and Sheena Highwood met at the King’s Church in the very early days, and have been serving the church together since 1989.
Jonathan is part of the Evangelism & Outreach team, overseeing youth work and missions; he is also part of the preaching team.
Sheena is one of the worship learders, and is responsible for the weekly lunch club, reaching out to older people in the local community.
They have two teenagers. Jonathan is a building surveyor and works for a Nottingham based general building contractor.
Matt and Helen McFarlane joined the King’s Church in 1992. Matt’s real passion is to make as much noise as he possibly can on his electric guitar when playing in the worship band. He strongly believes there is a place for raw power chords in worship – and is usually playing so loudly he is unable to hear any complaints to the contrary.
As part of the preaching team, Matt uses any excuse to refer to Scottish sporting successes. The long running lack of these, has resulted in him referring to sports as obscure as elephant polo in a pitiful attempt to prove Scotland is a great sporting nation.
Matt is also part of the evangelism and outreach team, overseeing Alpha courses, the Discover Life meetings on Sunday evenings and other outreach activities.
Helen runs the very successful parent and toddler group and is by far the more sensible one of the couple. If you do need to speak to them – best approach her!
At Grapevine, Matt runs the volunteer security team so will probably try to get you to volunteer for it if you speak to him. They have two children.