MEET THE 2025 PIONEERS
Scroll down to meet the pioneers who started their training in 2024 and to read about the contexts in which they are ministering and the transformative projects that they are part of leading.
Jonny Diamond
Gathered is focused on creating a new community of networked people that are faith centred rather than location centred. Consequently, Gathered goes to where the people are and will work with a model of establishing new small groups to help young people and young families to create a sense of belonging and relationship that is founded upon faith in Christ. The first of these groups has been established. Gathered works in a context where, outside Coleraine, most young people and families have to travel significant distances to school or to meet up. Young people are also engaged in multiple activities – which broaden their range of experiences and take up a great deal of their time but seldom enhance their sense of commitment or community.
Aaron Halliwell
Hello, my name is Aaron, I live in Dublin, Ireland, I am from Carlisle in England and I studied Musical Theatre at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. So, who knows, maybe I’ll end up in Wales someday. But for now, I am grateful to feel called to this Pioneering role and can’t wait to step into all God has planned for me in this season. My pioneer project is going to be an ambitious and diverse one. It will span a wide range of ministries like worship development, outreach programs, pastoral ministry, and personal spiritual growth. Most of my project will be within Crinken Church, and its surrounding area, but I will also collaborate with local organisations and other churches too. Worship will be the heart from which all my ministry flows, serving from a place of rest and integrity. There will be lots of opportunities in which we can introduce people to Jesus like our Open Mic nights, Alpha/drama classes, Games Café, Worship Academies, sports clubs and more. But ultimately, I believe the most important thing that will grow this project will be my personal and spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ.
Naomi Jennings
Hello, I’m Naomi Jennings and I’m thrilled to be part of an exciting new initiative in Agherton Parish, Portstewart—Family Flourishing—where I serve as the Pioneering Family Wellbeing Coordinator.
This new pioneer project is all about creating new community by supporting, empowering, reaching out to and strengthening new families to thrive. At Agherton, we recognise the pressures of modern family life and want no one to feel isolated or without hope. Through Family Flourishing, we aim to build new connections with families in our community, especially those with little or no connection to church.
I bring a background in children’s nursing and family support, and offer holistic, relational care—through home visits, listening support, and tailored signposting. As part of my role, I also deliver the Growing Child Programme (for parents of under 5s) in partnership with the Lifestart Foundation.
This pioneering role reflects our belief that as church, we are called to share God’s love in practical, real ways. We are part of God’s family, and our heart is to see local families blessed, encouraged, and flourishing.
There is a vibrant baby/toddler carer group Little Surfers on Thursday mornings, family events and I love to share spiritual resources with families. Relationships are being developed and new communities formed.
In Agherton Parish, I work as part of the team with the Rector, OLM and the wonderful Parish nurses.
Family is hugely important to me, and caring for children and families has been part of my journey and calling for as long as I can remember.
I live just outside Ballymoney with my husband Nigel and our three children—Eva, Enoch, and Boaz. We’re big fans of the outdoors and beach walks with our Springer Spaniel, Daisy.
Andrew McCaw
Hi, I’m Andrew McCaw. I’m 26 years old, I’m from the North Coast of Ireland where I grew up. I’m married to Megan & we’re living in Newtownabbey! I’m the Youth and Young Adults Worker in The Gathering Church Plant, my role the last few years has been to establish a youth ministry for young people the ages of 5-25 years old based in Inner East Belfast. I love good coffee, watching movies, reading a good book and exploring the Isle of Ireland!
Over the next few years I believe God has placed it on me to seek after Students in the Titanic Quarter area, specifically A Level & College Level students who wouldn’t necessarily come to church. The aim is to journey with them in a students based community to introduce them to the person of Jesus. The Titanic Quarter area has a working population of 10,000 people, half of which are students who come to the college to study. This is a very secular space of Belfast where the Name of Jesus needs to be proclaimed! How we do that for students is why I have joined the Pioneer Ministry Cohort for Church of Ireland, in partnership with Church Army!
Philip McKinley
This new Pioneer project in both Athlone and Kildare will focus on outreach to the immediate locality with particular focus on those who do not yet engage with faith or with traditional forms of church life. Both locations are ideally equipped in the very centre of the two towns to provide outreach and mission to the local, living community and working with other available partnerships, such as Alpha. The project will be grounded in Athlone at the centre point of the town and in Clonmacnoise, particularly in the summer months where tourism is in situ already for outreach potential.