26 Jun 2025, 11:37Joe Philpott
Strengthening for Mission: New Appointments Across the NEC
The North England Conference (NEC) is pleased to welcome several new employees to help advance the mission of the Church. Each brings a unique blend of professional expertise, spiritual commitment, and a heart for service.
A key new addition to the NEC office team is Preethy Christopher, who joins the Secretariat department in a vital HR and Health & Safety role. Preethy brings a compassionate, people-focused approach to her work, supported by professional experience in the education and retail sectors, most recently as a Junior HR Business Partner at TJX Europe. She is currently pursuing her CIPD Level 7 in Strategic People Management, and her expertise includes employee relations, recruitment, policy development, and compliance.
Preethy is an active member of Walsall Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she has served in multiple roles including Sabbath School Superintendent and Church Clerk. Together with her husband Bobby, an elder and music leader at the church, and their two sons, she is deeply involved in ministry and community engagement.
Commenting on her appointment, NEC Executive Secretary Pastor Emanuel Bran said:
“The NEC Secretariat has taken the much-needed step in bringing in skilled HR and Health & Safety specialists. Having experts on board means our team’s wellbeing is better looked after, our policies are stronger, and we get better at meeting safety standards. This enables the Conference to concentrate on its spiritual work, secure in the knowledge that our everyday admin and legal duties are in expert hands, and that everyone, staff and volunteers alike, is well protected.
In her role, Preethy puts industry-leading HR and H&S practices into action, ensures full compliance with current legislation, and promotes a workplace where people can grow and thrive. Her practical, hands-on style sharpens our admin processes and reinforces our commitment to excellence, so the NEC can carry out its gospel mission with confidence. By combining professional rigour with our Christian values of stewardship and compassion, this move means we’re even better equipped to support our church family and the wider community.”
In addition to Preethy’s appointment, we warmly welcome the following pastors and interns to their new areas of service:
Pastor Solon Kyriacou – Ministerial Association Secretary (from 1 August 2025)
Pastor Danny Apeadu – District Pastor for Knowsley, Warrington, and Chester (from 1 June 2025)
Pastor Frederick Nti-Mensah – District Pastor for Huddersfield, Bradley, and Wakefield (from 1 July 2025)
Pastor Peniel Karuma – District Pastor for York, Leeds New Generation, and Scarborough (from 1 July 2025)
Sureen Rayavarapu – Ministerial Intern serving Wolverhampton Central, Wednesfield, and The Vine (from 1 July 2025)
Manami Inada – Global Mission Pioneer serving Chester (from 1 July 2025)
Ethan Mpozembizi – Ministerial Intern serving Handsworth, Birmingham Oxhill Road, Bartley Green, and Kings Norton (from 1 August 2025)
Each of these individuals has been prayerfully selected and brings with them not only the gifts and training needed for their roles but a deep desire to serve God and His people.
We invite our church family to join us in warmly welcoming them and lifting them up in prayer as they begin their ministry journeys across the Conference. May their service be fruitful, Spirit-led, and a blessing to all they encounter.
The North England Conference (NEC) is pleased to welcome several new employees to help advance the mission of the Church. Each brings a unique blend of professional expertise, spiritual commitment, and a heart for service.
A key new addition to the NEC office team is Preethy Christopher, who joins the Secretariat department in a vital HR and Health & Safety role. Preethy brings a compassionate, people-focused approach to her work, supported by professional experience in the education and retail sectors, most recently as a Junior HR Business Partner at TJX Europe. She is currently pursuing her CIPD Level 7 in Strategic People Management, and her expertise includes employee relations, recruitment, policy development, and compliance.
Preethy is an active member of Walsall Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she has served in multiple roles including Sabbath School Superintendent and Church Clerk. Together with her husband Bobby, an elder and music leader at the church, and their two sons, she is deeply involved in ministry and community engagement.
Commenting on her appointment, NEC Executive Secretary Pastor Emanuel Bran said:
“The NEC Secretariat has taken the much-needed step in bringing in skilled HR and Health & Safety specialists. Having experts on board means our team’s wellbeing is better looked after, our policies are stronger, and we get better at meeting safety standards. This enables the Conference to concentrate on its spiritual work, secure in the knowledge that our everyday admin and legal duties are in expert hands, and that everyone, staff and volunteers alike, is well protected.
In her role, Preethy puts industry-leading HR and H&S practices into action, ensures full compliance with current legislation, and promotes a workplace where people can grow and thrive. Her practical, hands-on style sharpens our admin processes and reinforces our commitment to excellence, so the NEC can carry out its gospel mission with confidence. By combining professional rigour with our Christian values of stewardship and compassion, this move means we’re even better equipped to support our church family and the wider community.”
In addition to Preethy’s appointment, we warmly welcome the following pastors and interns to their new areas of service:
Pastor Solon Kyriacou – Ministerial Association Secretary (from 1 August 2025)
Pastor Danny Apeadu – District Pastor for Knowsley, Warrington, and Chester (from 1 June 2025)
Pastor Frederick Nti-Mensah – District Pastor for Huddersfield, Bradley, and Wakefield (from 1 July 2025)
Pastor Peniel Karuma – District Pastor for York, Leeds New Generation, and Scarborough (from 1 July 2025)
Sureen Rayavarapu – Ministerial Intern serving Wolverhampton Central, Wednesfield, and The Vine (from 1 July 2025)
Manami Inada – Global Mission Pioneer serving Chester (from 1 July 2025)
Ethan Mpozembizi – Ministerial Intern serving Handsworth, Birmingham Oxhill Road, Bartley Green, and Kings Norton (from 1 August 2025)
Each of these individuals has been prayerfully selected and brings with them not only the gifts and training needed for their roles but a deep desire to serve God and His people.
We invite our church family to join us in warmly welcoming them and lifting them up in prayer as they begin their ministry journeys across the Conference. May their service be fruitful, Spirit-led, and a blessing to all they encounter.
