Dr Mountain is currently senior minister of Grantham Baptist Church, Lincolnshire where he has served for nearly sixteen years. Previously he was pastor of a church in Westerham, Kent. Before training for ministry at Spurgeon's College he was a secondary school teacher. He holds biology and theology degrees, including a PhD in ecology, and is just completing an MTh in Applied Theology.

He said, 'I am delighted to be able to serve NBLC in this new role. I'm looking forward to working alongside the other members of staff team.'

According to Dianne Tidball, governor of NBLC and regional minister team leader in the East Midlands, 'Tim has been a good local minister, serving his church and enabling it to be an outward looking community centred on Christ.

'He has served the Association well particularly on our Ministry Development Group. He will be missed but we wish him God's richest blessing in his new role.'

This is NBLC's third recent staff appointment. Clare McBeath and Glen Marshall were called to be co-principals just three weeks ago. Both said how delighted they were that Tim will be joining the new staff team adding, 'Tim combines a wealth of experience with an engaging style of teaching.'

Dr Mountain will begin his new ministry in August. As well as teaching at Luther King House in Manchester he will also act as NBLC's main link with the churches and associations of Yorkshire and the East Midlands.