Derek Hills, Graham Jefferson, Phil Deller, Andy Glover, Stephen Rand and Stephen Ibbotson have been identified to develop apostolic teams in their areas and nationally, and to give apostolic leadership to Mainstream.

How does Derek understand apostolic ministry?
 
"It's clear to me that being an apostle was of key importance to Paul's self understanding in the New Testament. It's only in recent years that I've decided to think of myself in such terms, and only now with considerable encouragement from others. Broadly speaking, it describes a trans-local ministry, planting, encouraging, resourcing other leaders and churches: thinking Kingdom as well as local church. I consider it to be of crucial importance, given our local church 'independence', that this ministry be offered in a spirit of humility and generosity without even a hint of an authoritarian approach. My experience is that a small number of leadership teams, having seen their ministries have benefited from the cluster and personal mentoring relationships with me, are beginning to seek help with ministry strategy"

Graham Jefferson has been in full time ministry for over thirty years. His first church was an inner city mission in Deptford, South East London, where he learned that whilst there may be difficult places, there are no impossible ones. Thereafter, he worked for Christian Publicity Organisation (CPO) in Worthing, developing Christian evangelist literature for inner-city areas, much of  which is still widely used. 25 years ago he joined the team at New Life Church in Worthing, eventually becoming Senior Pastor. Over the years, the church has developed a strong evangelistic emphasis and a wide involvement in overseas mission. At this stage in his ministry, Graham sees the vital importance of encouraging, training and mentoring other leaders. Much of his time is spent with individuals or small groups, helping them to achieve their God-given potential.

Stephen Ibbotson: " My roots are in the South London/Surrey area, but I've been glad to break out from the South East throughout my ministry. The rot towards northernism began when I realised there was a life beyond the greyness of suburban life on the edge of London, as I went to Sheffield to study Biblical Studies. I found this hugely stimulating environment spiritually and intellectually, with a Professor, James Atkinson who modelled evangelical conviction, passionate spirituality and intellectual rigour. This experience marked my life, as it did meting an attractive lady Helena, who I married two years later! In comparison, finishing training at Spurgeon's was tame, dull and if honest somewhat wasted.
But that time did introduce me to the model of church planting. When a church (Harris Street) in Peterborough, a London overspill new town was offered. I felt an immediate connection with people, place and the possibility of exploring church planting. The relatively small inner city church was instrumental through growth in that period, in planting four churches in the region, all of which continue. It was a very significant time with the birth of Rebecca and Anna, involvement in charismatic renewal pus effective mission through church planting.
I carried this experience to North Leeds, with a call to Moortown Baptist Church which had just started a church plant and were looking for someone who understood this dynamic. Three further church plants followed, plus a little involvement in another that came under the oversight of another church. The church significantly impacted by charismatic renewal, was one of the most diverse churches in the Baptist Union at that time. Church planting helped to put creative and at times not such creative tensions to good effect. It was an environment in which I learned to grow theologically and spiritually. It was also the place where Helena finally began to discover her own call as a contemplative.

Peter Nodding " I sensed that God had called me to apostolic ministry during my time at West Bridgford, Nottingham, back in the 1980's. At the time I didn't know what it meant and asked God to help me to be faithful working it out. I have never been someone who is concerned about titles and position, but have endeavoured to build relationships with leaders and develop ministries which have a mission focus. In the three churches where I have served (Nottingham, Guildford and Purley), I have been involved in the following ministries:

• Church planting,
• Working with leaders across denominations where a team of us gave a spiritual lead
• Leading church weekends for a variety of churches
• Investing in/developing leaders
• Working alongside particular churches with leadership teams
• Investing in younger leaders (20's/30's)
• Thinking through what it means to lead an apostolic church

"My passion is that every local church should be strong in mission and I want to help them to fulfil this calling. Therefore, I give time to church leaders and their teams and to a lesser extent, to be available to serve their congregations. I would also like to see a strong regional network of churches serving the Mainstream vision"

Peter is currently taking time out from the national apostolic team to explore and develop Purley Baptist Church as an apostolic church.