Meet The Team
The Rev'd Adam Denley - Vicar
Adam joined us in January 2021. He was ordained in Portsmouth Cathedral in 2016 after finishing his training at Oakhill Theological College.
He is married to Melanie and they have three children who are huge fun and keep Adam and Mel on their toes and on their knees.
Adam loves all sports, most food, and above all he loves telling anyone who will listen about Jesus Christ.
Richard Heywood - Youth Minister
Richard joined the team in September 2023. He is currently training for ordained ministry alongside his role as youth minister and is also involved in the music side of church life.
Richard is passionate about creating a culture that is centred around who we are as purposefully created image bearers of God.
God made us. God values us. God loves us.
Richard is married to Jo. and they have a son called Elijah. As a neurodiverse household there is rarely a dull moment, also aided by bear the cat and Obi the dog.
Debra Lewis - Children and Families Minister
Debra came to St John's from a Christian children's charity in Gillingham. She works 20 hours a week and is involved in running Sunday Fun for school-age children during our main church service, some school assemblies during the week and our Twiglets group on Thursdays.
Peter Edwards - Church Treasurer
Peter is a retired company director with a background in the newspaper industry and advertising. He is a Trustee of the Rainbow Centre, Folkestone, a Christian charity that helps support local homeless people and those in vulnerable housing situations.
Vani Nadarajah - Church Warden
Vani grew up at St John's. From the age of 6, she was a part of various St John's Youth Groups. After 15 years away in London and abroad building a career in leadership development and business education, she returned to St John's in 2020 and has been a Church Warden since 2022. Vani co-leads a Life Group and serves with the AV team.
Now a leadership coach, Vani enjoys long walks in God's beautiful creation, dinner parties with good company, as well as travelling. Vani speaks fluent French and Spanish.
Steve Hyde - Church Warden
Steve is a retired civil engineer who, along with Vani, is responsible to the Bishop for all things to do with St John’s.
He is married to Corinne and has 2 grown up children who have not returned home after university!
Mel Denley - Administrator
Mel joined the administration team in February 2024. She is married to Adam our vicar and they have three children. She enjoys spending time with family which could be anything from playing table tennis to an epic game of Spiderman Monopoly (a family favourite). Mel also leads the ladies Connect group on a Tuesday morning alongside a great team of volunteers.
admin@stjohnsfolkestone.org
01303 246422
Jim Taylor - Hall Hire Administrator
Jim became our new hall hire administrator in July 2023. He is an ex-professional photographer, loves chocolate, football and motor bikes but in no particular order. is the father of three girls and grand father to nine, and they keep him on his toes!
admin@stjohnsfolkestone.org
01303 246422
Clare Au - Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO)
Clare passionately believes that the church should be a safe place for all. She moved to Folkestone in 1987 with her husband George and St John’s quickly became their home church. Since retirement, she has rediscovered the joy of cooking, gardening and Netflix!
Bertie Edwards - Pastoral Care Coordinator
Bertie joined St. John’s with Peter a number of years ago. She loves music and is passionate about singing. She has four children and one grandchild who she adores! Bertie wants to make a big church feel small and make sure the whole church family is well cared for.
Bertie.edwards@stjohnsfolkestone.org