General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Philip Hutchinson
Proposed By: Kemi Buraimoh from Hope Church Islington
and Edward Adegbola from St Mary’s Islington
“I’m 27, lead a missionally focused Bible study, and have
spent years fighting for social and environmental justice.
I want to see a Church that is missionally focused, rooted
in prayer, and inclusive of all.”
I attend Hope Church Islington and grew up in China and Hong Kong.
Our God crossed boundaries to live among us. I want to see a Church that also breaks barriers, stands with
the marginalised and can connect with a generation oen disconnected from faith.
At Oxford, I was recognised as one of fiy students doing the most to drive positive social change in the UK,
and I now work in international development, helping more children access a quality education.
About Me
Living in Mission and Prayer
• As Student President of London School of eology, oversaw forty days of non-stop prayer
and launched mission trips to four countries in Europe.
• Spent five years leading missionally focused Bible studies. Nothing brings me more joy
than seeing people encounter Jesus for the first time.
• Preached regularly in Derby and Watford, and now volunteer with the youth and
audio-visual team at Hope Church Islington.
Fighting for Social Justice
• Conducted research revealing £20.6 million in fossil fuel donations received by Oxford
University and worked on successful campaigns to divest Oxford University and Derby
City Council from fossil fuels.
• As Youth Officer for the GMB MPs’ and Lords’ Staff Branch, co-wrote report exposing pay
inequalities experienced by women, non-white, disabled, gay staffers in the UK Parliament.
• Successfully campaigned for Pembroke College, Oxford, to commit to achieving Net Zero
by 2030 and absolute zero carbon emissions by 2040.
What I Stand For
• Youth Engagement: By listening to the voices of young people and empowering new ways of
parish ministry, we can help another generation encounter Jesus.
• Inclusivity for All: A Church that is inclusive and affirming of all, whatever their sexuality,
gender identity, disability, sex, ethnicity or age.
• Supporting the Global Church: Stand with our brothers and sisters facing conflict and
oppression, drawing on my work with Christian schools in Burundi and Palestine.
• Climate Change: Ensure the Church delivers on its Net Zero commitments, increases
biodiversity and takes urgent action to address the climate emergency.
Philip Hutchinson
[email protected]
Missionally focused.
Rooted in prayer.
Inclusivity for all.

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