Leaders & Staff
God has greatly blessed Cornerstone with many gifted, godly and grace-filled leaders and staff. Our role is to lead and equip God’s people for works of service, to build up the church.
Rupert Akhalu
(Ministry Worker on MDS)
Rupert grew up in East London before moving up to Nottingham in 2014 to study Computer Science. He worked as a software engineer for 5 years before joining the Ministry Development Scheme and has particular interests in church planting and revitalisation. When Rupert isn't studying theology, he can be found cooking for his beautiful wife, Vicky, or playing video games.
Kane Blake
(Intern)
Kane grew up in Cambridge and came to Nottingham in 2021 to study Sports Science and Coaching. Having graduated, he worked with UCCF as a Relay worker, supporting NTU Clifton Christian Union. This year he'll be working with our student ministry. Kane is married to Beka, and loves to play and watch cricket and squash, play music, and write songs.
Mark Collins
(Elder)
Mark has been part of Cornerstone since coming to Nottingham as a student in 1998. He is married to Claire, and has two children. He works in Nottingham as a Civil Engineer.
Paul Couchman
(Elder)
Paul and Katie have been members of Cornerstone since moving to Nottingham in 2000 and are currently Connect Group leaders. Paul has served on the leadership team as an elder since 2009 and works for The University of Nottingham as one of the IT Directors.
David Devadason
(Elder)
David has been attending Cornerstone since moving to the city in 2013. He enjoys working with Internationals, leads a Connect Group and became an elder in 2017. He is a consultant at Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.
Eric Duong
(Minister and Elder)
Eric is married to Claire and they have three children; Calvin, Eliza and Isobel. He grew up near Sheffield, studied in Newcastle and taught Chemistry for some years before entering pastoral ministry. He served as a pastor in Cornerstone Church Newcastle and City Church Manchester before joining the team here. He's also worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators and World Vision UK training and supporting pastors internationally.
Tom Gribbin
(Elder)
Tom is from Nottingham and has called Cornerstone home for most of his life (apart from a few years spent studying and working in Bristol & Liverpool!). Tom works as a Hydrogeologist, and enjoys serving in the Student Ministry alongside his wife Cat.
Spencer Hampton
(Director of Operations)
Spencer has been part of the staff team since 2003, and leads the management of our facilities, finances and operations. He is married to Liz, and they have two children, Joseph and Bethany.
Katrina Harper
(Director of Ministry)
Katrina first came to Cornerstone when she was a student in Nottingham studying Theology and has been on the staff team in this role since 2020. She has studied with Crosslands Seminary and leads our Children’s ministry with responsibility for our 0-11s and volunteers.
Kathryn Jackson
(Director of Ministry)
Kathryn joined the team in 2014 having worked as a History teacher for eleven years. Kathryn oversees our women's and families' ministries at Cornerstone. She is married to Jonathan (better known as JJ) and has two children, Hattie and Seb.
Abi Kennedy
(Intern)
Abi has been attending Cornerstone since 2015 when she first came to Nottingham to study. She's worked as a doctor for the past 5 years, but is thrilled to be taking a career break to work as an intern, focusing on international students and internationals. When she's not at work or spending time with her husband Ben, she can be found baking, playing a board game or starting a craft project.
Ben Kennedy
(Elder)
Ben grew up in Malawi and moved to Nottingham to study medicine. He and his wife Abi joined Cornerstone whilst students and have stuck around ever since. They have a big heart for cross cultural ministry and are involved in international student work. Ben served the church for a year as a voluntary associate in 2022/23 and continues to work as a resident doctor.
Nathan Kosciecha
(Intern)
Nathan has joined Cornerstone as a youth ministry intern after recently graduating with a degree in Theology and Music at London School of Theology. He loves to play football, make music, and spend time in the outdoors.
Edward Yuen Shing Lai
(Elder)
Edward has been part of Cornerstone since moving to Nottingham from Hong Kong in 2021. He is currently a Connect Group leader and serving in the Maintenance team. He joined the eldership team in 2025. Edward is married to Leanne and has two children. He works as a physiotherapist in the private sector.
Fion Lau
(Intern)
Fion moved to Nottingham from Hong Kong in 2022 with her husband, Daniel, seeking a fresh start. She took the opportunity to study a degree in Theology at the University of Nottingham. After graduating, she joined Cornerstone in August as the Children’s Intern.
Sarah Marvin
(Senior Operations Manager)
Sarah is originally from Derby and has a daughter named Lydia. She studied Tourism Management in Leeds and has worked in hospitality and events for a number of years. She joined the Cornerstone team in 2013 to work in office administration and is now the Senior Operations Manager.
Abigail McCormick
(Intern)
Originally from Northern Ireland, Abigail recently graduated with a Neuroscience degree from the University of Exeter and joins us as a youth ministry intern. She enjoys visiting national trust properties and is aiming to visit as many new ones around Nottingham as she can this year.
Stephen Miller
(Elder)
Stephen and his wife Heather joined Cornerstone in 2008. He is a retired GP, and they both have a heart for cross-cultural ministry, having served together in the field of medical teaching in Africa. In the past they have led a Connect Group and currently serve on the Mission Coordinators team. Stephen joined the Eldership in 2024.
Phil Moore
(Director of Ministry)
Phil is from Belfast, and first came to Cornerstone as a student in 2007. After a few years on the team at Cornerstone as an Intern, Phil served as the Assistant Minister of Lutterworth Church. Returning to Cornerstone in 2017, Phil leads the Youth and Music ministries and is actively involved in writing songs and leading worship at various conferences around the country. Phil is married to Gill and they have two children.
Rob Radcliffe
(Elder)
Having moved to Nottingham to study, Rob and his wife Ruth first came to Cornerstone shortly after the turn of the century. They have two children. Rob works as a doctor in Derby. He joined the eldership in 2025.
John Russell
(Lead Minister and Elder)
John originally joined Cornerstone as a student, having moved to Nottingham to study Politics at university. Following a number of years working in local government, John joined the staff team in 2007, becoming Lead Minister in 2015. He has responsibility for leading the church and our leadership team. John is married to Catherine and they have a young family.
Teresa Samuel
(Office Secretary)
Teresa was born and raised in Namibia, home to the oldest desert in the world in South West Africa, and came to study at Nottingham Trent University in 2018. She graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Broadcast Journalism in 2021. Teresa started attending Cornerstone since October 2018. She loves the city of Nottingham and its people but mostly the UK wet/cold weather!
Felicity Scullion
(Director of Operations)
Felicity has been a member of Cornerstone for over 15 years and joined the staff team in 2025 as Director of Operations, having previously worked in various roles in the charity sector. She is married to Andy and has a young family.
Janey Shipway
(Voluntary Associate)
Janey has been a member of Cornerstone for a long time and in September 2025 joined the team as a Voluntary Associate, working primarily alongside Amanda supporting her in her role as pastoral coordinator. She's married, has two adult children, and enjoys walking in hills.
Mike Shouler
(Accounts Assistant)
Mike is a retired accountant who has been working for Cornerstone for several years as our part time accounts assistant.
Ailie Smallwood
(Ministry Worker on MDS)
Ailie grew up in Dagenham and studied Theology at Oak Hill College in training for children's and youth ministry. She has joined Cornerstone on the Ministry Development Scheme, primarily serving in the Tots and Toys and GAP ministries. She's a big foodie and very open to recommendations!
Amanda Smart-Gosrani
(Director of Ministry)
Amanda is currently responsible for steering our pastoral coordination and overseeing our Connect Groups as well as other leadership responsibilities. She also plays a key role in the support and development of ministries of mercy led by Cornerstone, as well as those that are in collaboration with other churches and Christian Charities. Amanda leads a Connect Group with her husband, Tirin, and has three adult sons.
David Upton
(Minister and Elder)
David grew up in Leicester and studied History in London where he then worked as a secondary school teacher. He is now one of our ministers, following 3 years on the Ministry Development Scheme. David is a huge Arsenal fan and is (still) looking forward to topping the Cornerstone Church Fantasy Football League. He loves reading, coffee, and time spent with his wife, Ruth, and their son!
Ollie Watkins
(Operations Assistant)
Ollie first joined the staff team as an intern after studying Product Design. He spent 6 months as a school DT Technician before returning to join the Operations team. He loves using his design background to help aid communication and understanding. Ollie and his wife Amy love walking, gardening, and cooking for friends.
