Who's who?

Lead Minister: Rev'd Jonathan Clark

Jonathan is a Christian, husband, step-father, coffee lover, glass artist, jogger, musician and all-round techie (sometimes in that order). He's been a Christian since boyhood, and is very grateful to his family and youth leaders who prayed for him, and taught and encouraged him in the Christian faith.

After studying science at University, he went on to become a programmer and then systems engineer, working in the intelligence services for nearly 20 years. During that time he was very involved in the leadership of his local church, including service leading and preaching. It was there that he met his wife Martha, and where God called him to ordained ministry in the Church of England. He loves preaching and using other ways to help people come to know all that God has done for them, and how to follow Jesus more closely.  They have been in Chineham since July 2018, and you may see him walking (or running) their rescued greyhound.

Assistant Ministry Leader: Liz Lang

Liz has been a member of Christ Church for 33 years. Married to Keith with three grown children, Charlotte, Ashleigh, Rob and one lovely granddaughter Mia. She became a Christian at the age of 17 when attending Yateley Baptist church with her parents who were involved with the Boys and Girls Brigades.

Liz returned to study in her 30s, completing an Access to HE course followed by a BA in English Studies with Media and Film Studies. This led to working for the creator of the Positive Parenting resources and then for 10 years in a FE college, with a wide range administrative responsibilities as well as pastoral, safeguarding and youth mental health first aid. To support this work Liz completed the Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning sector and a MA in the Philosophy of Education. She likes to build good relationships with people, getting to know them and to share her faith with them.

Children & Families Worker: Tonya Butler

Hello my name is Tonya Butler, I’m a wife, mum to 5 children and also a Nan. I’ve lived in Chineham for 23 years, I love the community we live in and love nothing more than a cuppa and a chat and supporting those around me.

Administrator: Gill Godfrey

Gill joined the staff at Christ Church in May 2015 and now feels very much “part of the furniture” in this busy and interesting role.  Her background is in administration and she very much enjoys the variety of work that Christ Church offers.  She and her husband Dave live in the Viables area of Basingstoke and have two grown up sons and two grandchildren.  Gill works Monday, Thursday and Friday.

As well as her work at Christ Church, Gill volunteers at Basingstoke Shopmobility on a Tuesday morning and in her spare time enjoys reading, walking, gardening and holidays.

Methodist Church Link Minister: Rev'd Valerie Fisher

I was brought up in a Christian family & went to Sunday School & a Methodist Church as a child. At the age of 13 I made my personal commitment to Christ at a youth rally in a local Evangelical Free Church. Later I trained as a teacher, specialising in Geography, but also teaching some RE & Maths. I was 25 years in Secondary teaching followed by 5 years in a Tertiary College. 

In December 1991 I sensed the call to the Ministry at a Churches Together Advent Meditation Service which was held in a URC Church. 1992-1993 I trained as a Methodist Local Preacher. 1993-1994 I candidated for the Methodist Ministry. 1994-1996 I trained for the Methodist Ministry at Wesley House, Cambridge. 1996 I was stationed in the Reading & Silchester Circuit. I officially retired in 2008 but I have been working for much of the time since then, although not in paid employment since 2015.

What a joy & a privilege it is to be able to continue to serve the Lord wherever there is a need!

United Reformed Church Link Minster: Rev'd Kay Blackwell

Rev Kay Blackwell was ordained and inducted into London Street Basingstoke and Old Meeting Tadley United Reformed Churches on 31st August 2013. She had just completed her ministerial training and a degree in Christian theology at Westminster College in Cambridge where she had been studying for two years as a part-time and three years as a full-time student.

Having completed her first degree in contemporary craft & design in Brighton. She is married to Andrew and together they now have three daughters, aged 23, 20 and 15 years old. Following completing a post grad in teaching and whilst her family were young, Kay developed and ran her own little business of pre-school music classes called ‘Fiddlesticks Music’. She became Christian in Brighton in her thirties, having had no previous experience of Church, so she had a lot to learn, not least how to find her way around the Bible! The music classes thrived and Kay soon realised that they had the potential to form a great Christian out-reach to young children.

Around twelve years ago, Kay sold on her business and the family re-located to Petersfield were she developed a new ‘Fiddlesticks music’ business but she also became a children’s and family worker for the Petersfield United Reformed church.

Here she developed through this a growing family ministry over the next seven years until she felt called into full time ministerial training.