Sammy is a preacher and musician. Currently studying Biblical Studies at Nazarene Theological College, Sammy loves digging deeper into God’s word and encouraging others to see the beauty of the gospel. She is also a member of the Spring Harvest Planning Group. In Skegness Sammy will be hosting in The Pursuit Celebration and involved in the 16-18s youth programme. In Minehead Sammy will be hosting in The Gathering Celebration.

Martha Shrimpton is an actor, presenter and author who has worked within creative arts for many years. She is the director of Nimbus Collective, which encourages individuals, families and churches to connect with God in creative ways. Martha has written many Christian resource and activity books for children, leads workshops and produces resources to inspire creativity and play!

Martha will be directing the Big Start in Skegness, and hosting the Big Start in Minehead

Phil joined Essential Christian as CEO in 2020. He has a background in church leadership and the Christian music industry with 20 years’ experience in digital and creative song publishing, artist development and recording, working with various Christian music organisations. Prior to joining Essential Christian, Phil was MD of Integrity Music Europe in Brighton UK, where he also served on the board of Thankyou Music, a partnership with Capitol Christian Music Group in Nashville, USA. He serves as a Trustee of the Stuart Hine Trust, who oversee the world’s favourite hymn ‘How Great Thou  Art.” Phil is married to Jan, has two grown up children and plays piano in his local church worship team in Brighton, UK.

Mark will be the hosting the Pursuit celebration in Skegness and also the Youth ELT member. Mark is Director of Ministry for Cambridge and District Youth for Christ and was previously youth pastor at St Johns Harborne. He is passionate about seeing young people encounter God and be equipped to be life-long disciples. He loves coffee, board games, musicals and a good theology book.

Paul is the leader of New Generation Church in south-east London and serves on the leadership team of Pioneer. Paul is passionate about the local church and has founded a new free school, Hope Community School, in Sidcup. He is a husband, dad and qualified chef.

Sarah is a Pastor at Elim Life Church, in North Birmingham. Sarah leads ELIM Prayer, Elims national ministry for prayer. She loves to inspire people to life transforming prayer, prophecy and intercession. She loves to see people released into all God has for them.

Nick is a songwriter and worship leader, who is part of the Worship Central team. He and his family moved to be part of the church planting team for Gas Street Church in Birmingham alongside lead pastors Tim & Rachel Hughes. He is passionate about seeing encounter in worship and not just that we sing a few songs together!

Lisa is a Baptist Minister who works as Deeper Church Lead for the National Team of the Baptist Union of Scotland prioritising caring for ministers and encouraging prayer, spiritual formation and discipleship.  She is also part of the Spring Harvest Planning Group and a member of the EA Council.

Cathy is an author, speaker and broadcaster, who speaks extensively across the UK and beyond with charities, churches, conferences and festivals such as Spring Harvest where she is on the Planning Group. She is also on the board of the Kyria Network which supports and equips women in leadership. Cathy is married to Mark, a church leader in Bristol, and they have two wonderful daughters in their twenties.

Patrick Regan OBE is founder of Urban Youth work charity XLP and the co-founder of Kintsugi Hope which has pioneered Kintsugi Wellbeing groups all over the UK. He is also a Director Brighter Days which provides high quality training in resilience and Wellbeing for employers and the author of seven books.