Our Staff

Please find below an introduction to our clergy and staff team.


Rev Paul Langham		Rev Neil Shepherd
Vicar		Curate
Paul Langham has been vicar of Christ Church since 2010, before which he served as vicar of three churches in Bath and as a University chaplain in Cambridge. He and Jackie have four grown-up children. He plays tennis, loves photography and supports Arsenal F.C		Awaiting biography
Contact Paul		Contact Neil


Roberto Elvira		Susanne Elvira
Senior Lay Pastor (Job Share)		Senior Lay Pastor (Job Share)
In a former life, before theological training, Roberto worked as a design engineer. Together with Susanne they have worked with students and as pastors in churches in Spain and England for 26 years. They have three adult children and love travelling, cinema, music, gastronomy and sunshine.		Susanne worked in the City as Bilingual PA before going for theological training. Together with Roberto they have worked with students and as pastors in churches in Spain and England for 26 years. They have three adult children and love travelling, cinema, music, gastronomy and sunshine.
Contact Roberto		Contact Susanne


Rev Janet Lee		Rev Erica Bebb
Assistant Minister (Self-Supporting)		Pastor for the Arts (Self-Supporting)
Janet has been at Christ Church for nearly 40 years. She is an OLM Ordained Local Minister so will always serve at Christ Church. She is married to Rob and has three grown up sons. Janet is passionate about global mission, prayer, people and the persecuted church and enjoys knitting!		Before joining us in September 2013 Erica was Curate at St Edyth’s in Sea Mills. She has a background in the performing arts. As well as regular clergy duties Erica is sharing her time between Christ Church and the Diocese encouraging and enabling churches as a Pastor for artistic and creative individuals. She is married to Richard and they have three daughters, a step granddaughter and a grandson.
Contact Janet		Contact Erica


Mark Parsons		Jackie Langham
Operations Manager		Newcomers and Welcome (Self-Supporting)
Prior to joining Christ Church in 2013 Mark worked for two churches in London, studied at London Bible College (now London School of Theology) and worked as an engineering manager for BT. Mark is married to Sharon and has two children. He has a Degree in Engineering and is a geek at heart, although won’t admit it and loves technology and music (especially U2).		Jackie has been at Christ Church for 6 years and is married to Paul. They have 4 grown up children. She is passionate about Welcome and Newcomers and hosts regular newcomer events. She loves engaging with the local community through helping in toddlers. She loves family, walking by the sea and, since joining a book club, reading!
Contact Mark		Contact Jackie


Rev Ruthy Lillington		Chris Whitwell
Children's Pastor (P/T)		Youth and Young Adults' Pastor
Before coming to Christ Church, Ruthy lived in Canada for 12 years. She is married to Pete and they have four children (18,15,13, and 9) who are educated at home. Ruthy enjoys music, art and reading, and (if it’s not too wet) spending time in the great outdoors with her family.		Chris grew up in Bristol and as a teenager was involved with the Youth work at Christ Church. He then studied Sports Science in Canterbury and began working as a Youth Minister. During this time, he met and married Helena. They have two daughters, Jessica and Raphaela. Chris loves DVD box sets, taking photos, eating great food (especially good burgers) and American football but shhh, don't tell anyone...
Contact Ruthy		Contact Chris


Elliot Mocharrafie		Sophie Mocharrafie
Youth Pastor (Job Share)		Youth Pastor (Job Share)
Elliot grew up in Chesham, Buckinghamshire but has been in Bristol since 2008. Originally, he came to Bristol to study a degree in Physiology and a Research Masters in Neuroscience. God had different plans for him though and he worked for the charity and Church LoveBristol in Stokes Croft for 5 years. During this time, he also studied a Graduate Diploma in Theology Ministry and Mission at Trinity College and he got married to Sophie in November 2014. He enjoys outdoor activities like walking running and cycling whilst being in nature.		Sophie grew up in Chesham, Buckinghamshire but has been in Bristol since 2014. Before coming to Bristol, Sophie studied Theology and Music at the London School of Theology and then went on to complete an MA in Christianity and The Arts at King's College London. Sophie and Elliot got married in 2014, and previous to joining to Christ Church, they worked with LoveBristol Church and Charity in Stokes Croft. They also led a community house of 11 people in St. Pauls. In her spare time Sophie enjoys being in nature, creativity, music and good food.
Contact Elliot		Contact Sophie


Nelly Davis		Nick Carter
Seniors' Pastor (P/T)		Administration Team Leader
Nelly was born in the Netherlands but came to England in the mid seventies. She has been at Christ Church for 35 years. She is married to Chris, they have 2 grown up children. Nelly has been the Seniors' Minister for the last 8 years. She loves gardening, going for walks, going to museums and visiting architectural gems.		Nick is from New Zealand but has lived in the UK since July 2015. He joined the staff in June 2016 to head up the work of the church office, oversee the office staff and volunteers, and manage the church diary, events and communications. Nick is married to Jo and they are both involved in the young adults work at Christ Church.
Contact Nelly		Contact Nick


Helena Whitwell		Lisette Ogborn
Office Administrator		Administrator (Self-Supporting)
Helena is married to Chris and joined Christ Church in 2012 when she was a staff member on the Emerging Generation Team. Since returning to work after having her second daughter, Helena has been a Church Administrator, and recently joined the Christ Church office team. Helena loves dance, craft and photography, and when the sun shines, spending time on the beautiful beaches of Pembrokeshire with her family.		Lisette has been helping in the office at Christ Church for the last couple of years, before which she was living overseas. She currently takes care of the administration for the midweek gathering. Lisette is married with three grown up children. In her spare time she enjoys motorsport.
Contact Helena		Contact Lisette


Hannah Parsons		Hannah Horwood
Coffee Shop Manager (P/T)		Assistant Coffee Shop Manager (P/T)
Awaiting biography		Awaiting biography
Contact Hannah		Contact Hannah


Sophie Brown
Assistant Ministry Leader (Self-Supporting)
Sophie grew up on Dartmoor and came to Bristol for University in 2012 where she studied Music and German. She started attending Christ Church in 2015 and, after graduating, joined the staff team to do a church internship. Alongside her current role of Assistant Ministry Leader, Sophie is a music teacher. She loves many things musical, outdoors and Austrian!
Contact Sophie