Following formal announcement on Sunday we are able to introduce the new Director Phil Stone and his wife Di.

Phil is 51 and Team Rector of the Kensal Rise Team Ministry and Area Dean of Brent in the London Diocese. He is married to Diane and they have four grown-up children – Rachel, Matt, Joe and Ruth – and one dog.

Before he was ordained Phil and Diane ran two community homes for the Kenward Trust which ministers to alcoholics and drug addicts. He says of that time, ‘my job was to go into derelict buildings and parks befriending the homeless, sometimes a scary experience!’ His interest in community has also drawn him into visits to look at Taize, the Community of Jerusalem in Paris, and the work of YWAM in Bolivia. This fascination also drew him many years ago to Lee Abbey, and for the past 16 years he and Di have led the youth camp – a tented camp for young people at Lee Abbey, a role which only finished this summer. Phil and Di come as a strong complimentary partnership: Di is a teacher heading up a special needs and inclusion unit, and in a previous life was a midwife.

Phil has an entrepreneurial spirit. Among other things he has had a hand in starting have been:

The Kingsmead Kabin – a community shop and advice centre on an estate.

The Brent Multi-faith forum – drawing together those of many faiths working with the authorities on social cohesion and issues that face the faith communities.

The South Brent Community Project – encouraging churches in Community Ministry and supporting a development worker : one project has been starting a Winter Night Shelter with seven churches.

Phil is deeply concerned for the environment and has long-standing links with A Rocha, and is gaining experience in mediation and reconciliation  through the training of Bridge Builders.

Above all he is a ’good to see you’ sort of person with a longing that all should come to see the love of God in Christ for themselves.

Phil writes;
"Diane and I are very excited about coming to Scargill  and as I become it's first Director. It is such a privilege to be involved in the resurrected Scargill, and be an active part of developing the new life that is going to flow through Scargill to the churches, people in the North and beyond. I love the renewed vision of  "lives shared, lives transformed" which will be key to Scargill where Jesus will be at the heart. The opportunities are amazing and the challenges enormous yet we are reminded, "this is the Lord's doing" and He is "able to accomplish abundantly far more that we can ask or imagine". Exciting times!

Please pray for us as we finish here in London and as we prepare to move to Scargill in the new year. Scargill will not just be our home but yours too; so we look forward to welcoming you in the near future."