21 Mar 2025, 13:25Pastor Joe Philpott
North England Conference Announces New Appointments for Men’s Ministries and Music Director
The North England Conference (NEC) of Seventh-day Adventists is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Hopewell as Men’s Ministries Sponsor and Ainsley Johns as Music Director, effective 1 March 2025. These appointments, voted at a recent Executive Committee meeting, reflect the NEC’s commitment to strengthening ministry through leadership that is both spiritually grounded and practically equipped.
Men’s Ministries: Michael Hopewell
Michael Hopewell is passionate about self-development and inspiring others to achieve their goals.
With a natural curiosity and a drive to improve processes that enhance people's lives, Michael's journey began at the age of 11 when he received a BBC Microcomputer and started programming. This early passion led him to pursue a Master’s in Computing, become a qualified Security Consultant and Auditor, and work for large security and audit firms. Today, he runs his own Cyber Security and Real Estate businesses. His career has taken him to over 40 countries, allowing him to engage with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and professions. Through these experiences, he has had many conversations with men about the challenges they face at home and at work, as well as how they navigate them.
In 2023, Michael became Treasurer of Knowsley Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he implemented controls to streamline accounting processes. Additionally, he serves as the Men’s Ministries Leader and is passionate about empowering men in both their personal lives and ministry. He has connected with other Men’s Ministries leaders in the area to establish a unified programme using diverse outreach methods. One such initiative, Walking Football, has become a weekly event, attracting individuals from outside the church with the aim of inviting them to church activities.
Michael firmly believes in service, but also recognises that spirit-filled individuals are essential for meaningful service. His mission is to encourage men to be the best they can be—spiritually, mentally, and physically—so they are equipped to serve others effectively.
Music Ministries: Ainsley Johns
Ainsley Johns is a dedicated musician, educator, and producer with a passion for music ministry. With expertise in gospel, classical, and jazz, he is committed to leading musicians and singers in Spirit-filled and musically excellent worship. For Ainsley, music is about creating an atmosphere that draws people closer to God.
From an early age, Ainsley was surrounded by music, encouraged by his grandmother, Beatrice Harris, and his church community at Nottingham Central Seventh-day Adventist Church. Under the mentorship of various leaders and church musicians, he honed his skills and spent many Sabbaths traveling across the North England Conference.
Ainsley pursued music as a career, focusing on higher education. Since 2018, he has been a lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire, teaching piano, keyboard, and performance on the BA Popular Music pathway. In 2021, he joined Leeds Arts University, where he continues to train and mentor musicians. His experience in education equips him to develop church musicians with the skills needed to lead worship effectively.
God has blessed Ainsley with various opportunities in the music industry. He has worked as a musical director, producer, and session musician for Gospel and worship projects, as well as for brands like Netflix, Peloton, BBC, and more. His ability to uphold Christian and Adventist values while delivering high-quality music makes him a valuable leader in church music ministry.
Actively involved in ministry, Ainsley has served as a youth leader and music leader at Nottingham Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, as well as contributing to the Pathfinders, Children’s, Youth, and Family Ministries departments across the British Union Conference. As a leader, he fosters a culture of excellence, unity, and spiritual depth within church music teams, ensuring that worship is both musically and spiritually enriching.
Outside of ministry, Ainsley cherishes time with his wife, Nicole, and their children, Jasmine and Reuben. When he’s not creating music or serving in ministry, he enjoys supporting Arsenal Football Club and playing dominoes.
We ask that you pray for both Michael and Ainsley as they take up these new posts and also pray for the North England Conference.
The North England Conference (NEC) of Seventh-day Adventists is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Hopewell as Men’s Ministries Sponsor and Ainsley Johns as Music Director, effective 1 March 2025. These appointments, voted at a recent Executive Committee meeting, reflect the NEC’s commitment to strengthening ministry through leadership that is both spiritually grounded and practically equipped.
Men’s Ministries: Michael Hopewell
Michael Hopewell is passionate about self-development and inspiring others to achieve their goals.
With a natural curiosity and a drive to improve processes that enhance people's lives, Michael's journey began at the age of 11 when he received a BBC Microcomputer and started programming. This early passion led him to pursue a Master’s in Computing, become a qualified Security Consultant and Auditor, and work for large security and audit firms. Today, he runs his own Cyber Security and Real Estate businesses. His career has taken him to over 40 countries, allowing him to engage with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and professions. Through these experiences, he has had many conversations with men about the challenges they face at home and at work, as well as how they navigate them.
In 2023, Michael became Treasurer of Knowsley Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he implemented controls to streamline accounting processes. Additionally, he serves as the Men’s Ministries Leader and is passionate about empowering men in both their personal lives and ministry. He has connected with other Men’s Ministries leaders in the area to establish a unified programme using diverse outreach methods. One such initiative, Walking Football, has become a weekly event, attracting individuals from outside the church with the aim of inviting them to church activities.
Michael firmly believes in service, but also recognises that spirit-filled individuals are essential for meaningful service. His mission is to encourage men to be the best they can be—spiritually, mentally, and physically—so they are equipped to serve others effectively.
Music Ministries: Ainsley Johns
Ainsley Johns is a dedicated musician, educator, and producer with a passion for music ministry. With expertise in gospel, classical, and jazz, he is committed to leading musicians and singers in Spirit-filled and musically excellent worship. For Ainsley, music is about creating an atmosphere that draws people closer to God.
From an early age, Ainsley was surrounded by music, encouraged by his grandmother, Beatrice Harris, and his church community at Nottingham Central Seventh-day Adventist Church. Under the mentorship of various leaders and church musicians, he honed his skills and spent many Sabbaths traveling across the North England Conference.
Ainsley pursued music as a career, focusing on higher education. Since 2018, he has been a lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire, teaching piano, keyboard, and performance on the BA Popular Music pathway. In 2021, he joined Leeds Arts University, where he continues to train and mentor musicians. His experience in education equips him to develop church musicians with the skills needed to lead worship effectively.
God has blessed Ainsley with various opportunities in the music industry. He has worked as a musical director, producer, and session musician for Gospel and worship projects, as well as for brands like Netflix, Peloton, BBC, and more. His ability to uphold Christian and Adventist values while delivering high-quality music makes him a valuable leader in church music ministry.
Actively involved in ministry, Ainsley has served as a youth leader and music leader at Nottingham Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, as well as contributing to the Pathfinders, Children’s, Youth, and Family Ministries departments across the British Union Conference. As a leader, he fosters a culture of excellence, unity, and spiritual depth within church music teams, ensuring that worship is both musically and spiritually enriching.
Outside of ministry, Ainsley cherishes time with his wife, Nicole, and their children, Jasmine and Reuben. When he’s not creating music or serving in ministry, he enjoys supporting Arsenal Football Club and playing dominoes.
We ask that you pray for both Michael and Ainsley as they take up these new posts and also pray for the North England Conference.
