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Paul Lavender - Senior Minister and Team Leader

 
Paul Lavender

Paul is called to serve the church in leadership, to lead the elders and deacons and has overall responsibilities in the following areas: 
  • Worship and preaching
  • Vision and strategy
  • Pastoral care
Paul was born in Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, Wales in 1969.  He studied music at the University of Oxford, pursuing a career in music as a pianist and organist, and giving concerts and recitals throughout the UK, continental Europe and the USA.  He also acted as music Director to many leading Christian musicians and worship leaders, including Graham Kendrick, Matt Redman and Darlene Zschech.  He had a blast!

Paul has studied Theology at Oxford and at University of Wales in Cardiff, and was commissioned as a minister within the Baptist Union of Great Britain in 1999.  Paul has served on staff at churches in Newbury, Weymouth and Preston, joining the church here at Mount Pleasant in 2007.   He became the Senior Pastor and Team Leader in April 2008.

Paul has been married to Judith since 1995. Paul's passion is seeing people come to faith in Jesus Christ, and then make Jesus the leader of their lives, following him passionately every day of their lives.

 

Stephanie Muncherji - Church Operations Manager


Stephanie Muncherji - Church Secretary

Stephanie is often your first point of contact when phoning or emailing the Church.

Her previous position was the Administrator for the Association of Christian Teachers before joining the staff team at Mount Pleasant.  Her background experience has included having her own business in Recruitment, completing placements for the unemployed, in the Distribution and Industrial sector. "I have devoted my life to serving Him who is most High." 
 

Jane Wake - CAP Debt Centre Manager


  Jane Wake

Jane runs our Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Debt Centre. For more information on what CAP does click here.
 

Elders:
Emma Birdsall
Stephen Merryshaw
Toks Ikumelo
Stephen Spandl
 

Deacons:   
Sam Ahadzi
Stephen Birdsall
Mat Jaggard
Linda Lemon
Valentine Mbawa              
 

Finance Team Leader
Sam Ahadzi


Church Secretary
Tom Pearson
              

Additional Needs coordinator
Linda Lemon


Children & Family Worker
Teresa Young


Junior Church Leader
Abby Pearson


Church Cleaner & Caretaker
Susan Gamblen                 


BMS Birthday Coordinator
Maria Cretu


Safe Guarding Officer
Paul Davidson

If you need to contact the Church please visit the Contact Us page.
 

Hello
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

New to Church?

Welcome! Whether you've just moved to the area, or have lived here all your life, we hope our website helps you to find out everything you want to know about our Church. If it doesn't we are only a phone call or email away. Better still pop in to see us and get a feel for the Sunday service and ask your questions while you're here. 

Key information about the church...

Where when does the church meet?

Every Sunday at 10:30am. (Always check the calendar for up to date information) Aim to arrive 15 minutes early to ensure you get parked and seated in time for the service to start. There is a car park at the rear of the Church but it's VERY limited and not big enough to accommodate everyone so you'll also find parking on the streets around the Church or park at the Racecourse Park car park just a minute away and walk to us. If you do park in the Church car park please ensure you log your car registration details on the tablet inside the back door. Any cars not logged in, or not parked in a marked bay may receive a fine.

There is always someone to greet you at the front steps of the Church to make you feel welcome and help you find a seat.

We meet at:

147-155 Kettering Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire NN1 4BS


What should I expect when I visit the church?

You will receive a very warm welcome from our Welcome Team who will be able to answer your questions and direct you to where you need to go. Our services are typically an hour and a half and include singing, prayer, bible reading, preaching and interaction from groups within the Church. The youth take the service on certain Sundays of the year.

We are a diverse congregation with a mix of ages, nationalities and church experience. We have a healthy mix of traditional and modern music with piano, organ, and a 'house band' that can consist of drummers, guitarists, flute players, string and wind instruments and singers to help lead us in worship. 

We have TV screens around the Church to help people follow the service and join in - if you want to! The lyrics to the songs are on the screens, ideal if Church is new to you.


Sunday Morning Service

Services begin at 10.30am. At the front of the church is a soft play area for children with children's tables and chairs and activity sheets they can colour and fill out to help them feel welcome and included.

On the fourth Sunday morning of each month we celebrate Communion.

Prayer Team

At the end of the service you'll see the Prayer Team at the back of the Church waiting for anyone wanting prayer. If you would like to receive prayer make your way over to a member of the Prayer Team and they will take time to talk to you and pray for and with you.

Refreshments

Tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the service so you'll have plenty of time to meet new people and ask more questions. Toilets are available at the back of the church.

What happens to the kids at church?

At an appropriate point in the service the children and young people go to their groups. All group leaders are DBS checked and we operate a 'Safe to Grow' policy to ensure good child care. You can, of course, keep your children with you throughout the service.

We have a fantastic programme for the kids at the Church for:

Sparklers (Age 2 and under) 
Children under 2 are in the creche room which is especially designed for babies and toddlers so you can leave their child with peace of mind. There are toys and age appropriate activities in our beautifully bright and colourful creche. You are welcome to stay with your child if you prefer, feed newborns in peace and listen to the service over the speakers at the same time!


Ignite (3-11's)
Children explore who God is through creative prayer, games, crafts and discussion. You are always welcome to join us to find out more about what we do! or for more information contact Stephanie Muncherji at the Church office. 

Rock Solid (11-18's)
If God's a real person, not just a myth, what does He think about poverty, racism, relationships...? Rock Solid asks life's big questions!
Meeting on Sunday mornings with the aim of teaching and discipleship, it is always a lively time with plenty of conversation. The group is also the starting point for the planning and studying for youth-led church services.

Is there a dress code?

There is no dress code. Please just be yourself and come dressed in your 'normal' clothes. Most people adopt a smart but casual approach. 

Will I have to join in?

Not at all! You are free to simply observe or participate as much as feels comfortable for you. If you want to see what happens in our services you can check out the YouTube videos.  Watch them online here.

We have more information for you specifically if you:

I have more questions, how can I get in touch and ask them?

Please feel free to contact us.

If you want to know more about the minister or other church staff then check out the Staff and Leadership section.