We understand many of the specific challenges of those called to rural areas; however, there are many exciting opportunities. The church culture can be one of stability and preservation, which can lead to resistance to change. When it’s time to try something new or think outside the box, that’s where we come in.
For over sixty years, RM has worked with churches, pioneers, and others in rural areas to support them in church planting, rethinking mission and discovering new ways of sharing and living out their faith.
What we do
Encouraging innovation, enabling collaboration, and increasing expectation that God has not finished with the rural church
We listen to you, to the context and to God. We come alongside to support, to encourage innovation, enable collaboration and increase expectation that God has not finished with the rural church. We think differently; where others see problems, we see opportunities.
We partner with others. We are not seeking to be a brand, or a dominant voice. We are simply seeking to join in with what God is already doing. This means we partner with like-minded mission agencies, church funding organisations, denominations, theological colleges, and other networks, helping them in what they are called to do.
We connect. We love linking people together, who have a call to the rural context. We link with various prayer communities around the UK, working strategically with them to create rural mission hubs.
We resource. If you have a dream for community transformation, think outside the box, or need help leading change in a culture of stability and preservation, we should talk.
Our Story
Birthed in 1962, Rural Ministries (formerly known as Datchet Evangelical Fellowship) continues with a passion for mission that was in our founder, Herbert Goddard. Over the years we have adapted and changed how we have worked, concentrating on the rural context, and wanting to see this served by people who are grace filled, God empowered and contextually relevant.
We see no reason why rural churches shouldn’t demonstrate as much energy and passion for mission as their urban and sub-urban cousins. The word is the same. The message is the same. God's love is the same, but the available resources may be lacking.
We specialise in 'out of the box' thinking, enabling, and encouraging those who serve God within the margins of the rural context. We love to inspire, facilitate and resource to enable people to 'join in with what God is already doing'.
Our Network
Stretching across the UK, RM is a growing network of churches, people and organisations who are in the rural context and passionate about Jesus. Together we are rethinking mission and reimaging what church needs to look like to make disciples who make disciples, who in turn make disciples. We believe the future will favour a well-connected network of pioneers, practitioners, and permission givers. Why not see how you can become part of the network on our ‘Get Connected ’ page.
Our Values
Meet the team
Jo Allen
Joint CEO
Revd Jo Allen has a worked in Anglican churches pioneering new rural worshipping and missional communities.
Jon Timms
Joint CEO
Jon has a desire to pioneer something creative, fresh and life-giving, living out simple community rhythms.
Sam Abramian
Director: East of England
Sam is a Baptist Pioneer Minister, Hospital Chaplain, and Missional Listener who loves rural contexts and journeying with others.
Nick Jones
Operations Manager
Nick Jones works for Rural Ministries as our Operations Manager, and supervises the care of our properties. Nick also manages our events.
The work of our staff team is overseen by our Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees
As a registered charity, Rural Ministries is directed by a Board of Trustees, consisting of individuals from a number of denominations and church backgrounds who have a passion for mission and church growth.
Paul Susans (Acting Chair)
Retired Accountant, previously an Elder in a FIEC Church, now worshipping at an Anglican Church in Alton where he is Treasurer and co-opted onto the PCC. Trustee of East Hampshire Citizens Advice, Alton Christian Care and Alton & District Community Relief Foundation and Vice Chair of Governors at a local Children and Families Centre.
Hilary Taylor
Hilary heads up Small Church Connexion (national) and is passionate about connecting small churches in hubs and seeing them fulfil the Great Commission in their area. She is the author of ‘A Toolbox for Small Churches’ and a serial blog writer
Yann Debreuil
Yann is the Vicar of the parish of All Saints, Headley located on the Hampshire-Surrey border. He has previously overseen rural ministry within New Wine.
Kevin Gladwell
Kevin is the Church and Community Pastor of Parkview Chapel, Botesdale, Suffolk where he has been in post since 2009. Outside his church and family his main interests are football (and especially Liverpool FC) and the Eurovision Song Contest, which he never misses!
Tim Lea
Tim has works as a consultant with wide ranging clients across the education, voluntary and faith sectors after thirteen years of community work and developing innovative church. Tim is a member of the National Fresh Expressions team as Project Manager for vision event coordination and networking, and an Associate for the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity Imagine Project.
Could you be a Trustee?
For a trust to exist it must have a complement of Trustees and as a body needs to be representative of what the Trust aims to so, and have a width of skills and experience to support and understand the work of the Trust.
The Trustees of RM have an opportunity to serve the Kingdom of God in a practical way, across the UK. There are legal obligations, and some responsibilities to bear; these are out weighted by the sense of serving and supporting the Church of God. We are cross denominational and try to be representative of the church to encourage understanding of all the different worship and mission settings. The trust board needs a range of skills and experience, from finance, business, and pastoral understanding. The term is three years, which can be extended in three year intervals.
If you feel drawn to this role please contact us.