Bob and Mary joined the team in 2004 and work part-time for Fresh Expressions helping further develop the mission shaped ministry course. They also have responsibility for our work of developing a network of coaches to support those starting fresh expressions of church and are our link to emerging fresh expressions movements in some European countries.
Bob has been a non-stipendiary minister for 30 years and for 19 years he and Mary have led Anglican Church Planting Initiatives (ACPI). For 14 years they were also on the church leadership team in an urban priority area and then for eight years to 2004 they were on the leadership team of St Thomas', Sheffield. From 2004 they have been part-time on the Fresh Expressions team.
Bob and Mary have a wide ministry of consultation and training in the areas of church planting, cell, cluster and other fresh expressions. They are also currently partnering with CMS for a mission movement. They are members of The Order of Mission (TOM).
Bob and Mary have no children of their own, which has enabled them to work together and travel extensively. They love gardening and walking and so appreciate living on the side of Sheffield five minutes away from the Peaks.
Bob authored Grove Evangelism series nos. 4 and 8, both on church planting.
Bob and Mary have edited/co-authored:
- Planting New Churches;
- Cell Church Stories as Signs of Mission (Grove No. Ev 51);
- Clusters: Creative Mid-sized Missional Communities;
- Coaching for Missional Leadership;
- Evangelism Strategies.
He has contributed to:
- Church Without Walls;
- Setting the Church of England Free;
- Lifeshapes (now published as Passionate Life & Passionate Church).
the.hopkins@freshexpressions.org.uk.