Mark says, "My wife Rachel and I are thrilled to be here at St Peter’s Halliwell along with our three children.  We have spent the last three years at Trinity Theological College in Bristol where I trained for ministry and were so excited to be invited to take up a curacy here.  Rachel lived in the parish as a young child so coming back with her own children is full of happy nostalgia.   It is a return to the diocese for me too, as I completed my secondary schooling in Whitefield, near Bury and Rachel and I met at Manchester University.

Rachel is a qualified primary school teacher and prior to training, I worked for a medical company for fourteen years, firstly as a design engineer and then in sales and marketing.  This also gave us the opportunity to live in Australia for four years.

I felt a strong sense of calling into ministry from my late teens and God has guided me gradually to this point, showing me one step at a time.   I passionately believe the local church is the hope of the world as it introduces people to Jesus and serves others with God’s gracious love.  We very much look forward to sharing this time with you and being part of what God is calling our four churches to."