I worked for Tearfund for 4 and a half years. My first job was allocating funds raised for floods in Mozambique in 2000. This meant I visited Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa, met with partner and potential partner organisations, discussed what they wanted to do (e.g. reconstruction projects), and then gave them funding and made sure the money was spent properly. After this job finished I spent some time helping Tearfund improve the way it supports its overseas partner organisations. Between Tearfund and Crosslinks I spent a year working for my church, which was excellent.

Part of your work for Crosslinks is done based at home - does that mean you work 24 hours a day?

I'm married to Cassie and we're expecting a baby in October (See below!). So I'll be trying to get some sleep occasionally! Cassie and I are also the Overall Leaders of a CYFA Venture called Bruton 2. This is a residential Christian activity holiday. It takes a huge amount of preparation and planning, but the 9 days in Somerset each summer with 50 kids and a similar number of volunteer leaders is the highlight of our year. We have great fun and teach the kids about Jesus. I also am now famous on the Venture for my Salsa dancing workshops!

So you'll be giving demonstrations and lessons...How else do you see your role developing in Crosslinks?

My job is in Church Partnerships Development. I will be encouraging churches to support Biblical mission through establishing new partnerships between them and mission partners. The Church Partnerships Team will offer a variety of services and resources to churches to help them explore what the Bible has to say about God’s mission and our part in it. I expect this will mean I will be involved with preaching and consultations with churches as well as developing some resources. It is a new role within Crosslinks, so I am not exactly sure how I will be spending each day yet!

How did you become a Christian?

I was very blessed to have been brought up in a Christian family, and as such have never really known a time when I didn’t know Jesus. That said, it was not until I was about 15 that I heard the gospel explained in a way which I understood, and so I made an informed commitment on a camp then. It was at university that I really grew in my faith, and it was there that I met my wife Cassie, who became a Christian three weeks into our first term! Since them we have been involved in serving at a couple of local Anglican churches in London, where we lead a Home Group and I lead and preach. 

Thanks, John - we'll look forward to the Crosslinks Salsa workshop - coming soon to a web page near you...

The picture on the left shows that John had his baby - apparently all by himself!