Elders
The elders at Oldham Bethel Church have the joy and responsibility of leading the church, setting the vision and direction, as well as teaching, training and caring for its members. They aim, through the teaching and preaching of the Bible, to point people to Jesus and apply his word to all areas of life. They seek to build the church up in their faith and encourage them to live in a way that is pleasing to God.
There is no distinction in seniority or authority between the elders. We do not believe in a hierarchy within the eldership; all are co-equal pastors of the church. All the elders are pastors – a word meaning shepherds – because they care for the members like shepherds care for sheep, under the authority of our Great Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, because Steve is employed as the full-time pastor for the church he shoulders the majority of the preaching and teaching responsibilities.
Steve Kneale
Steve graduated in History & Politics from the University of Liverpool, where he met his wife Rachel. After this, he completed a Religious Studies & Philosophy PGCE and embarked on a short-lived career as a secondary school teacher. Steve then completed an MA in Theology before becoming a self-employed researcher serving the recruitment sector. He was called to be the full-time pastor at Oldham Bethel Church in 2014 and has the main responsibility for preaching and teaching.
Steve and Rachel have two children and outside of church, he enjoys discussing philosophy, politics and current affairs. Steve regularly blogs on church, theology, politics, society and Oldham at Building Jerusalem.
Luke Plant
Luke studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, and then started a career in computer programming. He later trained for pastoral work at London Seminary, and served as assistant pastor in Bradford, in the church where he grew up. He married Heidi, whom he met on summer camps in Wales, and they now have 3 boys. They were sent to serve together in Eurasia, helping in a local church, but later returned to the UK and joined Oldham Bethel Church in 2021.
Luke is now employed part-time doing software development work, and continues his work in Eurasia through regular trips and remote support. He has a blog which is mostly techy computer stuff, but with some posts on wider subjects.
Deacons
The word deacon simply means servant. The deacons are servants of the church who have responsibility for particular areas of ministry under the oversight of the elders. They are mainly, but not exclusively, concerned with practical matters to do with the running of the church and its regular ministry. They work closely with the elders to serve the vision of the church.
Babak Saboonchi (Building Maintenance)
Sarah Hobson (Safeguarding & Music)
Heidi Plant (Treasurer)
