We are all one team together seeking to serve God in and around the Marsh Ward area, serving alongside one another. However, we wanted to just introduce you to our leaders so that you could get to know some of us a bit.
If you’d like to find out more, we’d love to hear from you and get to know you. Email us at hello@churchonthemarsh.co.uk if you’d like to get in touch with us, and one of our leaders will get back in contact with you.
Matt Parker
Elder | Pastoral Worker
Matt is married to Amy, and has 2 daughters, Isabella and Evie, and a lively cocker-spaniel, Harvey. He was previously a Primary School teacher, but now works part time for Church on the Marsh, and part time for local community-based service, Bay Volunteers.
Matt leads Church on the Marsh with oversight for the teaching and spiritual direction of the church, amongst other things, and also takes overall responsibility for Safeguarding.
He is passionate about seeing God’s transformative work in people’s lives, and has a real heart for the Marsh Ward area. In his spare time, he likes to spend time with his family, watch and play sport, and listen to music.
Derek Simpson
Elder | Discipleship & Evangelism
Derek and his wife Chris have returned to Lancaster where their three children went to school. This proud grandfather is now retired from a career spent primarily as a travelling evangelist and later as pastor of a church in Herefordshire. Before retirement, he visited many countries leading training courses in evangelism for church leaders. Derek is an Elder, supporting Matt with the spirirtual leadership and teaching of Church on the Marsh, with specific oversight for discipleship and evangelism, including Men’s Ministry. He says that he wants everybody to hear about Jesus and to follow Him. When he can find the time, Derek loves walking in the mountains.
Francis Dawson
Elder | Prayer & Worship
Francis is a husband and dad. He and Sarah and their two daughters have lived in the Marsh Ward for about twenty years. God has called them to serve and love the people of this area and to lift up the name of Jesus. Francis is an Elder, supporting Matt with the spiritual leadership and teaching of Church on the Marsh, with specific oversight for prayer and worship. He works for a national children’s charity, and has also worked as a community connector. He loves a good curry and watching Antiques Road Trip!
Sarah Dawson
Kids Ministry Coordinator and Women’s Ministry
Sarah is married to Francis and they have two grown-up(ish!) daughters and a sometimes-well-behaved Jack Russell. Sarah always felt a calling to work with young people so she trained as an English teacher. Since then, she has worked or volunteered in both secondary and primary schools as well as supporting or leading youth clubs and junior church groups. A post-grad in creative writing for children and Godly Play training in children’s spirituality has inspired her further in helping children immerse themselves imaginatively in God’s wonderful story for themselves, their friends and family, our church, and our world.
Sarah takes the lead on all things children and young people at Church on the Marsh, using her wonderfully creative ideas to help us share Jesus with them! Another one of her roles is to lead our Women’s Ministry.
She also supports Matt with Safeguarding.
Sarah works part time for a plant grower’s nursery, and if you can’t find her, she’s probably on her allotment or walking the dog.
