Our Team

Rev Martyn Saunders
Bishop’s Mission Order Mission Leader

Martyn has been in the Medway area since becoming the vicar of St Philip and St James Church in Walderslade in 2010. In 2020 he also took on responsibility for the development of St John’s Chatham. Martyn is married to Janette and they have three amazing children. Prior to his time in Medway Martyn was previously a vicar in central London (near Kings Cross station) and a curate (trainee vicar) in a council estate on the outer edge of Birmingham. Martyn’s passion is to see people come to faith in Jesus, grow in relationship, and become alive to the present work of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives and community.

Rev Luke Bacon
Bishop’s Mission Order Associate Leader

Luke and his family moved into the area to be part of St John’s Chatham in February 2021. Luke is married to Becci and they have two daughters (one at primary school and one at secondary school). Luke and Becci are passionate about seeing lives and communities transformed by the Good News and love of Jesus. Luke particularly enjoys music (mostly singing and playing the guitar) and is happy to try his hand (or foot) at most sports. Before serving a curacy in Beckenham and training for ordination in Cambridge they lived in Tunbridge Wells where Luke worked for a local church and youth charity.

Helen Kiralfy
Medway Centre of Mission Lead Evangelist

Helen Kiralfy will already be known to many, and if you’ve had opportunity to join us on a Sunday Morning in the building the likelihood is that you will have been warmly welcomed by Helen at the door. Helen and her husband Roger were part of the original St John’s Chatham relaunch team back in 2017 and continues to serve across many aspects of church life. Helen is a keen Liverpool supporter (but we don’t hold this against her) and is a licensed Church Army Evangelist.

Esther Barnett
Medway Centre of Mission Children & Families Pioneer Evangelist

Over the last few months Esther has been serving as our Children & Families Minister in an interim capacity. We are hugely grateful to Esther for her willingness to step into this role and are delighted that as of this July Esther is now officially part of the Medway Centre of Mission/Church Army team providing more capacity and stability for the fantastic work that she is already doing. Esther is married to Andy and they have two wonderful primary school aged children.

Helen Masters
Administrator

Helen is the longest serving member of the St John’s Chatham team having started working as the Administrator for Emmaus Church before the relaunch of St John’s Chatham.  Helen has served in a number of different roles across another local church and as well as being the St John’s Chatham Administrator also serves as Rochester Deanery Synod Secretary.

Parish Safeguarding Officer:
Rachel Barnett
e:safeguarding@stjohnschatham.co.uk

PCC Members
Co-opted Clergy:

Rev Martyn Saunders (Chair)
Rev Luke Bacon

Churchwarden:
Andy Barnett

Deanery Synod Representative:
Sue Cook

Elected Members:
Ann Cooper
Roger Kiralfy
Dan Dunscombe
Sue Cook
Louise Shrubsole

Appointed (non-voting):
PCC Secretary: Helen Masters