Leadership

Alan and Sandra Bell are both from the North East and were formerly teachers. They became members of Emmanuel in 1986. After leaving his profession in 1989, Alan entered full-time ministry and joined the eldership in 1990. In recent years Alan has regularly travelled to churches in India & Albania. They have two daughters, Elizabeth and Victoria.

Ian & Anne Portwine are both graduates of the University. They have three young children, and live in The Sands area of Durham. Ian taught Science for seven years in South Shields, before going full time for the church in 2002, joining the eldership in 2004. One of his main roles is to oversee the student work in the church.

Andrew and Jane Westerman met in Durham as students. Andrew is a consultant working in public services, after being a headmaster of a primary school. They have both been involved in Emmanuel since the church was founded in 1980 and Andrew joined the eldership in 1996. Jane was one of the first members of the Church to travel to Albania after the fall of Communism. They have two sons, Ben and Adam.

John Parker & Chris Done met while they were postgraduate students in Cambridge. Shortly after they got married, they moved to the United States for two years. Following some time in the Midlands, they moved to Durham in 1994 and have both worked for the University ever since. John joined the eldership in 2008 and part of his role is to help people develop their Spiritual gifts. Chris is involved in evangelism and has run several Alpha courses.