Our leadership team is led by our Lead Pastor and is made up of three groups; trustees, location pastors and area leaders. These leaders serve all locations of Connect Church, with each location then having their own appointed leaders as well.
TRUSTEES
Tom MacDonald
Tom MacDonald has been the Lead Pastor since Connect Church was founded in 2020, having previously served as the minister of Scunthorpe Baptist Church since 2015. Tom studied ‘Biblical Theology and Christian Leadership’ at Mattersey Hall Bible College, graduating in 2011. Tom has been married to Debbie since December 2010.
LOCATION PASTORS
Tom MacDonald
Tom was born in Germany and moved to Scunthorpe in 2000 and was baptised as a believer in December 2003 at Scunthorpe Baptist Church in the same building that is now home to Connect Church Ashby Road. He loves watching all sports, but is a particularly passionate supporter of Liverpool FC.
Fiona Kirby-Smith
Fiona is born and raised in Scunthorpe and has been serving in the Crosby area since 2013, taking on the leadership of the location upon its official launch in 2020. Fiona is also on the board of trustees for the CrosbyONE Centre. She is married to Paul and they live with their dog Buster. One of their favourite things is hanging out with people and watching a good boxset.
AREA LEADERS
CARE
We are a community of grace seeking to love and care for people in whatever season of life they find themselves in. This happens through things such as pastoral visiting, prayer ministry etc. Helen co-ordinates this work with real sensitivity and a pastoral heart.
DISCIPLESHIP
We are passionate about equipping people to find and follow Jesus, with Connect Groups an essential environment for discipleship and spiritual maturity. Fiona has a heart for helping everyone take the next steps in their faith journey, no matter what their starting position might be.
MISSION
We are a family on mission committed to sharing Jesus and the Good News of His kingdom both locally and internationally, and we believe this is the call of everyone, everywhere, everyday. Paul is a natural evangelist with a heart for empowering the church to reach its missional potential.
CHILDREN & YOUTH
We seek to include families and young people of all ages in the life of the church, believing that you are never too young to start the journey of following Jesus. Stacy is a trained youth worker and has a passion for the inclusion and engagement of all ages.
GATHERINGS
We love to gather as family and when we do so we seek to enjoy Christ-centered worship, teaching and ministry. This includes services, prayer meetings, and various social events and celebrations. Debbie has a passion for worship, is a regular Bible teacher, and is gifted in hospitality.
OPERATIONS
We take seriously our responsibility to steward all that God has blessed us with, and we are committed to ‘best practice’ when it comes to our finances, welfare, buildings, communications etc. Debbie is employed part-time as the Operations Manager to help with the day-to-day life of the church.