Our Team
Pastor Andy
Pastor Andy is Derbyshire born and bred, he has been married to his wife Sarah since 1997, and they live in Belper with their little French bulldog Peppa. Andy likes to try and keep ‘reasonably’ fit by playing badminton once a week (whenever possible), and is a keen DIYer, he also enjoys a good movie or meal, especially with friends.
Andy has been part of the leadership of the church since 2007, before this he served as an elder for several years. In May 2015, after being certain of God’s call on his life, Andy gave up his employment in the NHS to work full-time as an assistant Pastor. He began AoG ministerial training in September 2015, becoming a fully accredited AoG minister in May 2018. During this time Andy became the full-time Pastor for Life Church Matlock.
“God has taken us on an amazing journey over these last few years” Andy says, “It’s been fantastic to see God’s guidance and provision in our lives, and it’s an honour and privilege to serve God’s family here at Life Church Matlock, alongside the leadership team. I am looking forward to seeing what God has planned for us all in the future”.
Leadership Team
Aaron and Hannah
Aaron and Hannah live in the centre of Matlock with their two young girls. They have been part of Life Church Matlock for over 15 years, with Aaron leading the worship team since 2015 and Hannah being involved in both the children’s and youth ministries, and all age worship.
Aaron works as a primary school teacher in Chesterfield and is a PE and Forest School lead. He loves being outdoors, drinking coffee and reading a good crime novel.
Hannah works in a local restaurant in Matlock and enjoys eating cake, drinking tea and interior design.
They now both serve on the leadership team, Aaron since 2017 as Safeguarding Lead and Hannah more recently in 2024 as Outreach Coordinator.
Alan
Alan and Marilyn moved to Matlock in 1972 when they got married, they have three grown up children and three grandchildren.
Alan worked as a lorry driver until 1992, when he became the Pastor of 'The Derbyshire Dales Christian Centre' in Wirksworth. He pastored the church there for 12 years, until passing on the baton to the next minister, and then returned to lorry driving for another 12 years, until he retired in 2018.
Alan loves his allotment where he enjoys growing different fruit and vegetables, many of which he has won prizes for.
Alan joined the leadership team at Life Church Matlock in 2019, he is a church elder, the church treasurer and a member of the church finance team, he also does an amazing job looking after the church grounds.
Alan says that the most important thing is being open to God’s leading, and being obedient to His call.
Philippa
Philippa and Ville live in Matlock and have been part of the church for 25 years. They have two grown up children in their early twenties.
Ville plays the drums and is part of the worship team. Philippa joined the leadership team in 2024 and coordinates communications for Life Church Matlock.
She enjoys design and was involved in the look of the church interior. She is part of the Life Church's Family Fun Team which runs events for local families. She likes nature, the dales of Derbyshire plus all things Scandinavian.
André
André and Petra got married in 1980 and have two children and three grandchildren.
They moved from South Africa to Scotland in 1994, where they ministered and pastored a church for several years and moved to Chesterfield in 2000. They also Pastored a church in Matlock for seven years.
Both have been involved in ministry since they were teenagers, and have been on missionary trips to Mozambique and Romania
Petra has been active in music ministry, women’s ministry, prayer and intercession. André’s passion is to fan into flame the gift that is within others, and equipping the saints for every good work of the ministry.
Both love painting, André works with oils and Petra with watercolours, they also love the outdoors, camping, gardening, and spending time with their family.
They have been coming to Life Church Matlock since October 2024 and gladly call the church their home.
Graham
Graham and Joyce have been married since 1964, they have two grown up children and six grandchildren. They moved to Matlock in 2005 and lived there for 10 years before moving to a bungalow in Chesterfield.
Graham has worked as a mechanic, a vehicle examiner for Mother’s Pride Bakery, as well as a full-time teacher in mechanics, until he retired in 2002. Since retiring Graham assists his son in his property maintenance business and enjoys doing puzzles and gardening in his spare time.
Graham has been in church leadership since he was 22 and became part of the Life Church Matlock leadership team in 2008. His main role is as an elder and overseer, and his real passion is to see people being released into their spiritual gifts, to build up the body of the church. He is affectionately known as ‘granddad’ to many in the church.