Welcome to our District
Working through our churches in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England, we take the Good News of life in Jesus Christ to people everywhere and to spread the message of scriptural holiness.
What we believe
Description
The Church of the Nazarene is the largest denomination in the classical Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. The doctrine that distinguishes the Church of the Nazarene and other Wesleyan denominations from most other Christian denominations is that of entire sanctification. Nazarenes believe that God calls Christians to a life of holy living that is marked by an act of God, cleansing the heart from original sin and filling the individual with love for God and humankind.
Our Articles of faith are our foundational beliefs, and set forth the essential truths which guide every area of practice.
Our Statement of Mission defines who we are, why we exist, and our reason for being.
Our Core Values are the essence of our identity and support the vision of our denomination and help shape our culture.
Meet Our Team
Rev. Ruth Turner District Superintendent
Rev. Ruth Turner was elected as the District Superintendent of the British Isles North District in April 2021.
She grew up in the Carrickfergus Church of the Nazarene, serving as NYI President and then youth pastor. In 2004, Ruth left Carrickfergus with a team of others to plant a church in Larne, where she now lives with her family.
She then served as the pastor of the Millbrook church in a bi- vocational capacity.
Ruth continues to serve as a pastor in the local church on a part-time basis, alongside her role as D.S.
Rev. Claire Fender Pastor For Development of Licensed and International Ministers
Rev. Claire Fender is currently serving the district as Pastor for the Development of Licensed and International Ministers.
Claire seeks to prepare candidates for the Ministry Assessment Centre, and as secretary to the Board of Ministry, will journey will those who express a call to ministry.
She will endeavour to signpost those who desire a formal pathway in ministry through licensing, required education, necessary experience and preparation for ordination as well as ensuring they have appropriate mentors.
A career pastor, Claire was ordained in 2000 and has served on BIND in various roles for almost 25 years and presently worships in our Longsight church, Manchester
Richard WoodDistrict Secretary
Richard has been District secretary since 2018, but before that he served on the Advisory Board as lay representative since 2011. He attends Parkhead Nazarene with his wife, Esther, and two children, Lily-Ruth & Ashley.
In the local church, Richard is a member of the board and is involved in the worship ministry. Richard chairs the National Board, and has been involved in organising the church holiday, Northbreak, for over 20 years.
Michael FergusonDistrict Treasurer
Michael and family (Vicky, Andrew and Douglas) have been part of the Trinity Perth family since they moved to Perthshire in 2014. Michael is part of the board, involved in the church new build and part of the worship team. Vicky is involved in the safeguarding team and the boys are part of the Youth groups. At work, while he was a management accountant in the dark and distant past, Michael leads the economic regulation team in the Transmission unit of a GB electricity network business. Always happy to talk at length about the economics of connecting large renewable onshore and offshore wind, hydro, pumped hydro and solar, he is yet to find many volunteers.
Rev. Ann Goodwin
Rev. Ann Goodwin supports the district as the Manse Families’ Chaplain, providing encouragement and support to our Pastors and their families in whatever way they require, from a listening ear to a prayer partner and beyond.
Ann also organises the annual manse ladies’ weekend away and works as Chaplain at Strathclyde House, a retirement complex at Skelmorlie.
Giving her life to Jesus as a young child, she has known the call of God on her life and has been a member of the Church of the Nazarene for approximately 40 years. Ann trained as a nurse in Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital and studied at NTC where she met her husband, Tommy. Together, they have pastored in various churches within the district and have three boys, Jamie, Benjamin and Craig.
As well as her district responsibility, Ann was ordained an Elder in 2016 and pastors as part of the team at Paisley.
Lucy Allen Admin Assistant To The D.S.
Lucy Allen has recently taken up the role of Admin Assistant to the D.S.
Lucy came to know Jesus through her youth group at the age of 13, and joined Millbrook Nazarene in February 2020, serving as the youth and community worker there.