Meet the Team
Connexional Officers
Connexional Officers are appointed by the Independent Methodist Churches Annual Meeting. They are appointed to that office for a term of one year, except for the President, who holds office for two years. Below is a list of those positions within the Connexion, a brief description of what the position entails, and who currently holds the position. To contact them, simply click on their name to send them an email.
Brian Rowney
General Secretary
I am the Church Treasurer at Astley Christian Fellowship. Originally from Gloucester, after gaining a degree in Engineering I moved to the north-west, where I worked in the nuclear power industry for over 40 years. I am married with two grown-up sons. I have a lifelong interest in railways and buses (including model-making), and I’m a volunteer at the East Lancashire Railway in Bury.
David Hughes
Association Secretary
I have been in Independent Methodism since birth. Originally a member of Tyldesley but after my marriage to Barbara I transferred to Atherton where I have been ever since. I have worked in IT all my life from early valve computers with only magnetic tape (no disks) through to the development of the internet and the arrival of smart phones. During that period, I also held church leadership positions and both circuit and connexion positions. In the latter part of my career, I was working as a consultant with both large retail organisations and property investors installing and training on accounting within property services. I have also held Trusteeships in other organisations namely Atherton & Leigh Foodbank and also Leigh Caring Kitchen trading as The Bridge at Leigh and Atherton IM Church.
Alan Britton
Finance Officer
I have been a member of Stockton Heath Christian Fellowship for over 25 years where I have been involved in all aspects of the Fellowship and currently hold the position of Elder. I live alone in Lymm, as sadly I lost both my wives. I have two grown-up children, one that lives locally and the other down in East Sussex. I am a keen sports fan although it's now from an armchair, although in my distant youth, I played a lot of sports, especially rugby league at a high level. I am a qualified accountant and still work as an external accountant for an events and management company in north Manchester but work mainly from home. I was previously managing director of a large industrial company in Warrington.
Bill Hampson
Ecumenical Officer
President of Lowton church and guitarist in the band. Came to the Lord with wife Pam as teenagers at Lowton. Founder/Director of Epiphany Trust. Given Freedom of Wigan Borough in 2000 for charitable work through Jubilee Campaign in Eastern Europe. Awarded an OBE in 2022 for ‘Services to vulnerable people overseas’.
Dorothy Kendrick
Past President
I moved into the position of Past President in July 2024, having ended my 5-year term as President. I live in Pitsies, Oldham close to the Lees community. I am a member of the Team of 4 Accredited Connexional Ministers at Roman Road IM Church, Failsworth, where I have been a member for over 35 years. My roles in the church include senior Elder, chair of the Leaders Team, Worship Leader and member of the Children’s Work Team. During my ministry at Roman Road I have been responsible for the pastoral care of the children’s ministry and I am actively involved in the work of the church with the elderly and vulnerable adults. I preach at other IM and local churches. During my years of service within the Connexion my focus has been on unity and seeking to help people to work together to further the Kingdom of God and preach the Gospel. My aim is to see children and young people educated about Christianity and given the resources to believe in Jesus for themselves. At present my work is to bring the Christian community together and to help everyone to feel safe with their Christian beliefs.
Kathy Pringle
Connexional Services Manager
I come from a small, close-knit family in Wigan and live locally with my husband and little boy. Prior to commencing my role as Connexional Services Manager in 2019, I had a career as a primary school teacher until I felt God calling me to something different. In my spare time, I love baking, visiting a National Trust property, museum or flower show, reading and, if an event involves cake, all the better!
Joy Higham
Church Support Worker
I was privileged to grow up in a Christian home and came to faith at a children's outreach at the age of 9. I have been involved with a few churches over the years and am now serving as a leader at Bryn IM. For 15 years, I worked with children and young people in care, latterly managing 2 children's homes. In 2018, I felt God's call to leave this job, and I subsequently moved into being employed by Bryn IM and then by the Connexion themselves. I am also actively involved with Keswick Ministries and serve each year during the convention. Away from ministry and church life, my interests are football, Lego, computers / audio visuals, TV, jigsaws, spending time with friends, and chocolate! One of my favourite Bible passages is Revelation 21:1-7
Geoff Matthews
Christian Aid Representative
I was baptised and brought up at Bethel IMC, Newtown, Wigan in the 50's and 60's period. Study and work meant that I was largely absent from the area for many years. Reconnection with Bethel occurred between 2015-2017. I wanted to contribute in some way, but taking on one of the regular 'jobs' in the local church was (and still is) not practicable because of continuing travel. When the idea of a 'Christian Aid Representative' was floated, it seemed like a good fit with my personal circumstances ... and the rest is history.