New directors at the Evangelical Alliance

Gavin Calver, an accredited Baptist evangelist, has been appointed to the leadership team of the Evangelical Alliance

Gavin, currently national director of Youth for Christ (YFC), will take up his position as director of mission/England at the Alliance in June 2015.
He succeeds Dr Krish Kandiah, who left his position as director: churches in mission earlier this year to become president of the London School of Theology and founding director of Home for Good.

He said, ‘After six years as national director, and 13 years at YFC, I feel the time is right for me to move on from this role. I feel God has called me to serve the local Church by helping to mobilise mission across England. I am passionate about seeing the local Church fulfil its calling to take the gospel of Jesus – in both words and deeds – into every community in the land.’

In this new role, Gavin – who has been a Council member of the Alliance since 2012 - will be responsible for developing creative initiatives to draw together member organisations into coalitions that serve the Church and help position the Alliance as a catalyst for change, as well as being a voice for the Church to government and media.
 
Also joining Gavin on the leadership team is Chine Mbubaegbu, who has been appointed the Alliance's director of communications. Chine, a journalist, author and former head of media and communications, is among the youngest members of the leadership team in the Alliance's history. She is also the EA’s first black female director.

With both in their 30s, the Alliance said the appointments demonstrate its commitment to “raising up the next generation of leaders”.
 
Steve Clifford, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, said: ‘Both Chine and Gavin are passionate followers of Jesus, with a desire to see their faith impact all who surround them.

‘They will bring their extraordinary talents to the leadership of the Alliance and represent a major statement as to our commitment to connect with and serve a whole generation of younger adults.’