Pastor Abi Ngunga
Pastor Abi joined St Andrews Baptist Church in July 2019 to serve as our pastor. In addidion to his pastoral role, Abi serves as an elder and deacon(trustee) and leads the ministry team of the church. Biographical details will be added sson.
Ministry Staff Team
From left Chris Walker, Clay Rowe, Kathryn Agnew(former member of staff), Tiny de Jong, Paulus de Jong, Becky Keating.
Not yet pictured: Pastor Abi Ngunga and Holly Scott-Riddell
Paulus & Tiny de JonG
Hi everyone, we are Paulus and Tiny (pronounced Teeny). Originally we are from Urk, a small fishing town in the Netherlands. In the summer of 2016 we moved to Scotland for Paulus’ postgraduate studies at the University of St Andrews. The following summer we were appointed as youth- and children’s workers at St Andrews Baptist Church.
Before we moved to St Andrews we were involved in the youth- and children’s ministry of our home church for several years. Meanwhile, Tiny worked as a primary school teacher while Paulus studied theology at the Vrije Universiteit and the Dutch Baptist Seminary.
Tiny loves to work with children of all ages. As a children’s worker she coordinates Beacon Kids and the crèche. She is also involved in organising the toddler group and MishMash. Paulus coordinates the staff team, is involved in organising the youth work and you might occasionally see him preaching or being part of the worship team.
Becky Keating
Hi, I’m Becky. I work as international outreach worker for the church and I really love getting to know people from different countries who live in and around St Andrews.
I studied English Literature at St Andrews University and then I worked as a pastoral apprentice for two years at the Baptist Church. During this time I especially loved spending time with people we met at the fruit farm, and when I finished the apprenticeship I moved to Poland with the hope of continuing to serve people from the farm and the countries they come from. I taught English to all ages in a language school in Katowice.
In September 2017, I moved back to Scotland and started working for the church again. It is so good to be back! I work part time and I also do a Masters in Early Childhood Education, as I am passionate about teaching and love working with young children.
Clay Rowe
I was born in Texas, raised in Georgia, and educated in Lousiana and Scotland. Carmen and I were married on May 29, 2010. We originally came from the States so I could pursue a postgraduate degree at the Uni and found the experience exciting as well as petrifying. The transition was made easier for us thanks to the warm welcome of St Andrews Baptist Church. Since then Carmen and I have been involved in the leadership of the postgraduate ministry of the church, which aims to offer not just a community for postgrads who are here for 1-5 years, but a home away from home.
I also serve as the Area Director for Young Life International in North East Fife. Our mission is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. Along with this comes training and mentoring volunteer leaders to join in the work in reaching the teens or North East Fife with the Gospel through relational evangelism.
HoLLY Scott-RIDDELL
Hi everyone! My name is Holly and I work for the church as a student worker and administrator. Although my focus is the undergraduate students, I love getting to know everybody in the church, no matter how old they are!
I’m originally from Harare, Zimbabwe, however my family now lives in Victoria Falls. I moved to St Andrews in 2013 as an undergraduate student and graduated in 2018 with an MPhys in Mathematics & Theoretical Physics. I then spent a year at Oxford University training to be a Physics teacher. However, I felt God was calling me back to St Andrews, and it is a privilege to now be working for the church. I have a passion for mentoring students and I love being able to serve God and my church family. It is a joy to be back here!
Chris Walker
Hello everyone, my name is Chris Walker and I work for the church as a Pastoral Apprentice, focusing on youthwork and outreach. I’m originally from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire and have also spent half my life on the Isle of Man. This is where I met and married my wife Mary in 2015, both of us having worked for Scripture Union on the Island. A year later, in the summer of 2016, we felt God’s calling to move to St Andrews which is also Mary’s hometown. Following a year working in retail, I was privileged to become a church Pastoral Apprentice in August 2017.
Between 2011 and 2014, I studied Christian Youth Work at the University of Chester and am hugely passionate about bringing the gospel to different groups in and around St Andrews. Outside of this, I also love reading, attempting to play sport (largely football, tennis and squash) and playing/listening to various types of music.
My primary areas of work are with the Rooted youth group, Mish Mash and co-ordinating the church music teams. Do feel free to contact me for more information on any of these ministries, or to get involved.
Helen Willis
My name is Helen Willis and I’m the church administrator. On Thursday afternoons I am in the church office where I format and print the weekly bulletin, newsletters, home group notes and anything else required (within reason!).
Weekly notices for the bulletin should be submitted before 6pm on Wednesdays!
