Dan (Pastor) & Emma Dwelly
Dan, originally from Rugby in Warwickshire, grew up in a Christian home but once said to God, “I hate you!”
Ten days later, aged 17, he became a Christian and found a new passion for telling others about his Saviour, Jesus.
After leaving school, he spent a year with the London City Mission which was awesome, followed by a few amazing years working in a secondary school and as a youth worker at his home church.
After that, he felt God calling him to be in Christian ministry full time. So, he ventured off to deepest, darkest Wales to study Theology for a few years before emerging to join Carey Baptist Church in Reading as an Assistant Pastor in 2012 and help get ChristChurch Tilehurst going. That same year he married Emma and they now have three children together.
Being a part of ChristChurch Tilehurst’s beginnings and formation is his greatest privilege! His other greatest pleasures include cooking and baking, curry, Lego and tickle-fights with his kids!
Contact: dan@christchurchtilehurst.org.uk
Graham (Elder) & Rachel Newton
Graham and Rachel moved to reading in the summer of 2009 the day after they got married, and have lived in the area ever since. They have two children, Lydia and Zachary. Both Graham and Rachel were part of the initial church plant from Carey Baptist Church in 2011, and Graham joined the eldership team in 2022.
Graham has worked in a variety of roles across engineering, science and energy, and IT; always in roles bringing people together to figure out how to solve complex and strategic problems. He enjoys indoor bouldering, board games, playing ceilidh, and camping holidays with his family.
Graham became a Christian when he was about 18 years old, through the encouragement of Christian friends and a local church youth group. His experience drives a desire to help the local church be as accessible and engaging to all people and all ages, so any and all may come to understand the Bible and see who Jesus is.