Leadership Team – Elders
Mark Thornett: Lead elder
Mark is married to Jaqui and they have three daughters; Lauren (married to Nat), Katie (married to Callum) & Megan.
In January 1993 God began to speak very clearly to Mark about laying down his plans and being willing to be available to him. Over the next few months God continued to speak very clearly to him in a number of different ways, so much so that as a family they moved to Swindon to be involved in a Newfrontiers church: Swindon Family Church (now Gateway Church). Mark became an Elder of the church in 2001.
“I am constantly amazed at the way God leads and guides us, and I look forward with faith and excitement to see what he will do in us and with us in the days ahead.”
Mark has led the eldership team & church since 2003, and he also oversees our international links.
When Mark is ‘off’, he is to be found in the garden or on a walk!
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Nigel Howarth: Elder
Nigel is married to Helen and they have three young children, Joel, Eve & Esther.
Having studied Politics, Philosophy & Economics (more interesting than it sounds!) at university, Nigel spent 13 years working in the electricity industry in a variety of roles from Electricity Trader to Customer Service Manager.
His job moved him to Swindon in 1992, when Gateway (formerly Swindon Family Church) was just getting off the ground. Having started out nervously on the back row (wondering what God might do!), he finally started working full time for the church in 2002 and became an elder in 2004.
Nigel is a big fan of the TV show West Wing, loves sponge pudding and custard, and wishes he had more time to read the newspaper!
Nigel oversees the finance team & budget, preaching & teaching, training and marriage preparation & social action.
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Colin Thornton: Elder
Colin is married to Emma and they have 4 children; Sam, Jude, Ollie & Phoebe.
He has been at Gateway since he was 11 years old and joined the eldership team in April 2008.
Colin oversees communications, children’s & youth ministry, baptisms and outreach.
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Simon Turner: Elder
Simon is married to Fiona, and they have 3 young children; Katie, Amelia & Olly.
He has just recently joined the eldership team (September 2011). Before then he spent the last 11 years in the recruitment industry.
He is often seen sporting a Welsh rugby shirt (and therefore often looking unhappy), and also has a sizeable collection of all things Guinness!
Simon oversees the building management & office staff, along with overseeing the small groups and the welcome & integration team.
