Youth leaders

Meet the happy bunch who lead The Box and Rooted.

Dan Simpkins

Dan joined the staff team of Above Bar Church in September 2010 as Assistant Minister with Responsibility for Youth. He is married to Jo.

Jo Simpkins

I’ve been coming to Above Bar Church since September 2010 when Dan became Assistant Minister here. But I also attended Above Bar Church when I was a student at Southampton University a few years back. I work as UCCF Staff Worker in Southampton. I’ve always loved working with young people and have been involved in church youth work since I left my own youth group at the age of 18! So it is such a privilege to be able to spend time out of work helping teenagers understand the Bible and who Jesus is, and just to have great fun with them.

Stuart Rimmer

Hi, my name is Stuart and I am one of the leaders who help with the Rooted Group. I love working with these older teenagers (14–18) and discussing God’s Word with them one week and playing silly games with them the next. It is a great privilege to lead the young people and I love doing it!

I got married to Sarah (also a leader) in June 2011 and am currently training to be an accountant with PwC.

Sarah Rimmer

Hi, I’m Sarah, and I’ve been at Above Bar Church since 2006 when I started university. I am now working as an Occupational Therapist in a local hospital working in elderly care. I have been a Christian for many years, but found my teenage years really hard to stay firm and committed to the faith, so I feel really privileged to be able to work with the young people to help them to explore the Christian faith, encourage them in their walk with God and have a laugh with them too.

Aaron Griffin

Hi, My name is Aaron; I am the Trainee Youth Worker at Above Bar Church. I have no idea when I became a Christian but I think it may have been when I was 5. I am not sure! I work with the young people here at church and love every moment of it. I work with a fantastic team of leaders and together we aim to provide a place where young people can come and be taught about the Bible, chat about issues, ask hard questions and have loads of fun!

Hana Keen

Hi, my name is Hana. In my spare time I work with The Box youth group at Above Bar Church, and the rest of the time I am a Secondary School Science Teacher. Working with The Box is fantastic because of the team and because of the great Young People who are the Box members. I became a Christian when I was 12, and so I understand the importance of helping teenagers to grow in their knowledge and love of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Geoff Ross

Woo!

Jenny Ross

Yeah!

Tamara Jacob

I have been coming to Above Bar Church with my husband Richard and cheeky son Callum for 4 years. Having worked with young people on residential Christian holidays for many years and helped with church youth groups, I was excited to work with The Box. This is an important age, where young people are starting to take their first steps into owning their own faith which is both a challenging and privileged time to be helping them along that path. I also have some counselling training that comes in handy too.

Ettie Unwin

Hi, my name is Ettie and I am a Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate at the University of Southampton. Since moving to Southampton, I have felt very home at Above Bar Church and have been involved in helping lead The Box basically right from the start. I was brought up in a Christian home going to church so I don’t remember when I became a Christian, but it was the best decision I ever made! I love helping teach the young people and sharing my life with them, I feel very privileged as a student to be part of such a great community.

Paul Etherton

Good Day!

Ethan Macloed

'Sup!

Toda Tahilla

Hi, I am Toda, I came from Indonesia and I am a volunteer worker for one year here in Above Bar Church. I’ve just became Christian recently, about 1 year ago. I work with children and young people and international students here. I am really enjoying my job and and my days here. Living in different cultures and places is not easy, but I’m very pleased because lots of people in church support and help me.