'His skills are directly aligned with our focus on planting, revitalising and reimagining church'

St Hild has announced the appointment of the Revd Dr Nick Allan as the Director of its Centre for Baptist Ministry

The Centre was accepted into membership of the Baptist Union of Great Britain in March 2024. Its vision is that the church and Kingdom of God across the region and beyond would be strengthened and renewed by this Centre and those trained here. 

Since being accepted into membership of our Union, St Hild has been looking for someone 'to take on this significant and strategic role, to develop our Baptist work in line with this vision and to explore possibilities for the future,' a press release stated.

Nick and his wife Marjorie lead The Well Sheffield, a Baptist church planted in 2015 which is now established and thriving and has launched other church plants. 

Nick has been in church leadership for two decades, and in that time has taken particular interest in developing and releasing leaders and encouraging church growth through pioneering and planting. He has done this locally and regionally and also contributed his experience in these areas to the national Baptist family through participation in Firestarters, the Baptist Young Adult Round Table, and the Baptist Larger Churches Network, as well as personal connections to other leaders and members. 

Nick holds a BA(Hons) in History (Sheffield Uni), and Post-Graduate Diploma in Marketing (CIM), a Masters in Theology and Ministry (Sheffield Uni) and a Doctorate in Church Planting in Post-Christendom Europe (DMin, Asbury Seminary). 

Nick and Marjorie also researched and published a book on discipleship with young adults.

Nick is looking forward to taking up the role. He said, 'I am excited by the launch of the Centre for Baptist Ministry and its vision to serve the missional needs and aspirations of churches across the region. 

'In my own ministry, I’ve had the joy of identifying, raising and releasing lay and ordained leaders and innovative forms of church, and I am passionate about serving our Baptist family in this way as Director. I look forward to meeting with churches across our region to hear about the opportunities and challenges they face and working together to see how the Centre can support them to see more of the fullness of life Jesus brings in their communities.'

Nick will join the Centre for Baptist Ministry as a half-time Director and continue to lead The Well with Marjorie. He will be supported by the wider St Hild team and conversations are ongoing about other team members who will work alongside Nick to establish and grow the Centre. 

Daniel McGinnis, Principal of St Hild, said, 'Nick is an experienced leader and I’m glad we have appointed someone as Director who will be able to envision others for the work of the Centre for Baptist Ministry and think strategically about how it can best serve the vision and needs of our regional partners. 

'Nick also attended one of St Hild’s forerunners and so is familiar with and able to live out and lead through our values.'

Graham Ensor, chair of the Centre for Baptist Ministry and Regional Team Leader of the Yorkshire Baptist Association, said, 'Nick’s creative, entrepreneurial and imaginative skills are directly aligned with the CBM focus on planting, revitalising and reimagining church. 

'I’m glad wen have appointed someone who has a vision for raising pioneering leaders and empowering women and men to grow God’s people in discipleship, leadership and mission.

'We pray that Nick will find joy in the role and that the work he leads through it will bless our regions’ churches and grow God’s kingdom.'

There will be a launch celebration of the Centre for Baptist Ministry with Lynn Green, the General Secretary  of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, and others in Sheffield on Monday 30 September. Nick will be formally welcomed to his role then. 
 

The launch celebration will be at 1.30pm at STC Sheffield, Nairn St, S10 1UL and booking information for this is here.

Anyone interested hearing more about the Centre can find out more and sign up for email updates on the St Hild website here.