Prior to becoming a ‘full time’ minister, I had been a teacher for 24 years, of which 17 had been at Hainault Forest High school, where I taught mainly Art, but was also involved in the pastoral life of the school community as Head of Lower School, with additional responsibilities for Primary liaison and collective worship.

Sheryl and I have been married for almost 23 years and have lived throughout that time in Barkingside, although we have moved house three times.  We have two children, Paul (21) and Sarah (19); Paul is in his third year at Christchurch University in Canter.

We originally worshipped at St Laurence, Barkingside, having joined as a wedding couple and soon found ourselves leading a Pathfinder group.  We spent many years involved with children’s/young people groups. I completed the Christian studies course and then Reader

training, which was soon followed by the ordination route and more training at NTMTC. During the four years of my curacy, I was attached as an NSM to St Paul’s, Hainault, working and ministering in the High School as a pastoral leader with a chaplaincy style role, whilst  actively participating in the life of the Parish Church. This dual role  enabled me to embrace and experience the wider perspective  of the life of the local church and that of the school community in the same parish, seeking ways to bridge the two. Sheryl was also actively involved in the life of the church there, especially with regard to corporate prayer and prayer ministry. Paul and Sarah had been part of the youth group at St Paul’s and were involved in the worship band on a regular basis.

Having a strong sense of calling into stipendiary ministry, we were placed in a ‘short term’ Resource Post at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Collier Row about a year and a half ago. Amongst other things, my responsibilities included  organising and leading corporate prayer evenings/nights, overseeing and co-ordinating the youth and children’s work through a team of 34 leaders/helpers ( in the temporary absence of a Youth Minister), organising/running Alpha courses and training others to do the same, teaching Lifeshapes (a discipleship programme on how we relate to Jesus and other people),  and discipling, equipping and envisioning Missional Community leaders/prospective leaders. Over the last few months Sheryl and I have been involved in leading one of these communities (about 100 people) based in a secondary school with the aim of networking with those outside the church to extend and build community and grow ‘church’.
 
My interests include music (both performing and writing; I’ve been involved in several bands over the years), gardening ( so does our golden retriever!!) and  art (one day I’ll find time to do some ). We both enjoy a quiet meal with friends and DIY (not at the same time) and like to travel and visit places of interest. Sheryl’s not musical; her background is business management and textiles, so she is also creative. Prior to us moving to the Good Shepherd, she worked part time as a locum shop manager in two charity shops in Barkingside.
lm1a4Sheryl and I have a passion for seeing the church active in the community and a heart for equipping and encouraging the church to be mission minded, as well as grow in maturity and fellowship. We love ministering together, and seeing God impact the lives of people with His grace and love.

Trish and I met in a drama group, and were married a year later. We have no children, but have been blessed by a succession of doggy companions in the past 34 years, the current one being a beautiful greyhound named Lilly.

My working life has been varied, to say the least. When Trish and I met I was working at Kelvin Hughes as an electronics engineer, but then changed course and worked in local government for five years before branching out into office management in various organisations including Scripture Union until they moved to Milton Keynes.

I am now a full time senior probation officer in Stratford. Trish also describes me as a professional student. I left school without any O-levels, as I was only interested in sports and never paid any attention to lessons (don’t tell Henry!) but I have made up for it since by attending evening classes and collecting various diplomas and a couple of degrees along the way. I still can’t spell for toffee though.

Trish and I became Christians in 1986, thanks to a doorstep evangelist who really changed our lives. Our church life began at St. Erkenwald’s at Barking and continued at St. Elizabeth’s Becontree, where Bob Love gave me many opportunities to preach and encouraged me to train as a reader. It was at this point that I met a young man by the name of Henry Pradella. Who could have guessed that we would both be ordained one day and would end up working together at Rainham and Wennington, Praise the Lord!  
Trish’s working life started at the Bank of England,s8p10.0f32 s0p12.0f180the four worst years of her life as she describes it, and after two more jobs in City banks she trained as a secretary and worked for 20 years at the University of East London, combining this in the last few years with caeing for her widowed mother, who came to live with us.and was Bob Love’s greatest fan. Sadly, mum is no longer with us, but I had the joy of leading her to Christ in her 88th year.

As I am studying for a postgraduate degree in Criminal Justice I don’t have much time to spare for hobbies, but when I can I enjoy watching football and cricket and supporting Barking Rugby Club. Trist likes light classical music and creative writing. She is working on a book, The Diary of a Stumbling Christians0, which she started many moons ago and is desperate to finish this year, Publishers, please form an orderly queue!

We look forward to a long and happy association with you in serving the Lord at Rainham and Wennington. God bless, Keith & Trish