Staff and Leadership

Redeemer is led by a team of elders and staff who between them bring a wide range of backgrounds, gifts and experience. Here's a little about each of them.


Peter Dray Interim Lead Pastor		Andie Wilson Operations Manager
I lead the elder and staff teams at Redeemer. Before serving here I spent more than two decades in student ministry with UCCF alongside formal theological study. I'm married to Linda and we have two growing boys. I love the outdoors, Olympic sport and a good eBay bargain!		I look after our admin, communications, database and bookkeeping, and I'm part of our Safeguarding Team. I worked in Tanzania for ten years with my husband Ian and our four children before moving to Leeds in 2011. In my spare time you'll find me gardening, reading or dog walking!


Ed Preston Pastor		Linda Dray Head of Children's & Youth Ministry
I came to Leeds as a student in 2007 and never left! My university years were formative for my faith, and I went on to spend eleven years with UCCF before joining the Redeemer team. I'm also studying part-time with Crosslands Seminary. I'm married to Hannah, and we have three children: Jesse, Micah and Marni.		I love that our church family includes so many under-18s, and I really enjoy playing a part in helping all ages know and love Jesus more. When I'm not doing that, you'll find me open water swimming or out on day trips with Pete, Samuel and Toby.


Brad Balmer Pastor		John McPhilimey Lay Pastor
I came to faith at Redeemer in 2012. Having previously worked in pharmaceuticals, my role now includes preaching, teaching and coordinating City Groups. I give two days a week to our partners at Scott Hall Church, and have a heart for gospel witness in the more marginalised parts of our city. I'm married to Emanuela and we have two children.		I came to Leeds for university, and became a Christian at Redeemer. I share responsibility for shepherding and praying for our church family. During the week I teach children to swim, and I love playing cricket. I'm married to Ellie, with a baby daughter called Darcy - and two cats called Mario and Peach. (Cats are better than dogs. This is not up for debate.)

Simon Barrett Lay Pastor		Alex Passmore Pastor (Crossway Church)
I'm part of the team of elders that shepherds Redeemer, though I also work in the corporate world as a lawyer. I lead a City Group as well as Redeemer's Dads Club. I'm married to Eileen and we're kept very busy by our three young children!		I was sent out from Redeemer in September 2025 to plant Crossway Church in east Leeds but remain an elder at Redeemer as Crossway gets established. I'm married to Beth, and we have a little boy. I enjoy football and running and - less virtously - a good takeaway!

If you'd like to get in touch with anyone on the team, head over to our Contact Us page.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

I'm new here!

Planning your Visit

We're really glad you're thinking of visiting!

Here's everything you need to know before you do — no surprises, no pressure.

Finding us

We meet at St Chad's Parish Centre on Otley Road and our service starts at 4:00pm. We'd suggest arriving around 3:45pm - not because you'll miss anything, but because we put the kettle on early and it's a genuinely nice way to ease in!

Someone from our Welcome Team will be there to say hello when you arrive. Look for the blue lanyards.

Parking is available in the Parish Centre car park. If it's full, there's free street parking on Drummond Road, Drummond Avenue, Hollin Road, Hollin Mount and Weetwood Lane.

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Accessibility: There's wheelchair access, a hearing loop and a translation link. Just let the Welcome Team know when you arrive and they'll help you get settled. We have disabled toilets in the main foyer. Fidget toys are available to anyone who wants them, a number within our church family bring their own ear defenders - and it's completely fine to step outside for a breath of air at any point.

What's the service actually like?

Relaxed - but with a genuine invitation to meet God.

It runs for about an hour and a half and flows something like this: a warm welcome, sung worship led by our band, church news and then a sermon that's rooted in the Bible but connected to real life. Towards the end there's an opportunity to take communion, some time to reflect, and we finish with more sung worship. There's an optional invitation to receive prayer, and... more refreshments!

You won't be put on the spot, asked to do anything you're not comfortable with or made to feel like an outsider.

gathering

About communion - Towards the end of the service we share a simple act of remembrance together: a small piece of bread and a small cup of wine. Individual portions are laid out for people to collect and take to their seats. If you're a follower of Jesus, you're warmly welcome to join in. If you're still exploring, simply stay seated — nobody will notice and nobody will mind.

Bringing children?

Brilliant — we love having families with us!

Children start the service with the adults for the welcome and songs, then after about 15 minutes they're free to head to their own groups. First time? You'll need to register them as part of our safeguarding policy, so allow a few extra minutes when you arrive.

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We have a great programme lined up for kids:

Creche (6 months to 2 years)
Pre-school (2.5-4 years)
Redeemer Kids (4-8 years)
Next Step Kids (8-11 years)
Redeemer Youth (11-16 years)

Each group has its own flavour, but expect Bible stories, games, music, craft, drama and plenty of fun. Please collect your children as soon as the service ends.

Get in touch with us ahead of your visit

Want to chat before you visit? No pressure at all - but if it would help to have a conversation with someone from our team first, we'd love that. Just fill in the form below and we'll be in touch.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to ask?