Pastors
Dan Bennett
Pastor
Dan is married to Rach, and they have two children, Emily and Jay. Dan moved from LifeCentral in Halesowen in 2015 and has pastored in Malvern since then. In his spare time, he enjoys being creative, especially with music and woodwork, and also runs to keep fit. He has most of his best ideas when he’s out on the hills!
Trudi Smyth
Pastor
Trudi and her husband Robert moved from Northern Ireland to England in 2005 to study at Regents Theological College. In 2009 they relocated to Malvern and Trudi began her role as a Pastor. As well as pastoring the Church she enjoys reading, walking and spending time with her little grandson Jamie.
Elders
Phil Hidderley
Elder
Phil, now retired, was the Pastor for the Colleges English Language School for 35 years and the Estates Manager for over 46 years, managing the grounds of three campuses, Capel, Nantwich and Malvern. He enjoys gardens, and gardening, walking in the countryside and is a collector of clocks.
Tim Cobham
Elder
Tim is married to Helen and has two daughters. Following them being missionaries in Spain, Tim was Associate Pastor in Huddersfield for almost 10 years, before moving to Malvern in 2021 to work for Elim International Missions. He loves technology, listening to all types of music, watching Formula One and riding/driving/tinkering with cars and motorbikes. Tim is also our point leader for worship.
Adam Houghton
Elder
Adam is married to Naomi and works full time in the NHS as an Occupational Therapist. As well as spending time with his family, he enjoys live music and attempting to be green fingered in the garden. Alongside organising all things tech at Beacon Elim, Adam also serves as our Communications officer.
Ian Long
Elder
Ian became a Christian at the Malvern Showground in 1982. He is married to Jane, who is a spiritual director, and they have two beautiful daughters. Ian works as an illustrator and author, creating resources to help people engage with their feelings. He loves meeting new people over a meal and a glass of wine. He is currently our point leader for youth work.
Volunteer Staff
Rachel Bennett
Childrens Pastor
Rach is married to Dan, and they have two teenage children, called Emily and Jay. She works as a mentor/coach at The Bridge School in Malvern and also as an exam invigilator at a local High School. Rach loves running the children’s activities and getting to see them grow in their experience of God and becoming part of the wider Church family.
Helen Richardson
Safeguarding Coordinator
Helen and her husband Geoff came to Malvern in 2009. Helen managed the Sugarloaf Cafe for ten years and before that worked with children , both as a childminder and as Sunday school leader.
Helen enjoys spending time with her family, likes walking on the hills and in the meadows, pottering in the garden, growing vegetables, and cooking. She and Geoff enjoy having guests in their home.