General Synod Election Candidates 2026

BACKGROUND AND PARI SH MI NI STRY
Left school at 16 and completed an apprenticeship with British Telecom.
Worked as a church-based youth worker for four years, during which I explored the
possibility of ordained ministry.
Attended theological college and was ordained in 1994.
Served in a variety of contexts, including villages, suburbia and town centres.
Served as Rural Dean of Dallington and Honorary Canon of Chichester Cathedral.
Vicar of Christ Church Bromley since May 2024, seeking to contribute to both local and
diocesan life.
Married to Vanessa, with two adult children and a Labrador, Chilli.
Throughout my ministry, my desire has been simple: to love Jesus more deeply and to
help others to know and follow him.
REVD MARK REDHOUSE
Vicar
I am standing for Synod because I believe that national
church decisions need to remain rooted in and guided by
the life of the local parish. A national church that enables
the local parish to flourish and grow will be a healthy
church.
GENERAL S YNOD EL ECTI O N
STATEMENT
I believe that the Church is called to serve the wider community as well as its congregations.
The Church is at its best when it is rooted in the gospel, generous in service, and engaged
with the everyday lives of the communities it serves.
Wider community involvement has included:
Director of the YMCA.
Football coach.
School governor at a school for children with educational needs.
Adviser and volunteer with a homeless project.
Trustee of Bible by the Beach and Chair of Trustees for the Sussex Gospel Partnership.
Mission trips to several countries, including supporting the training of pastors and lay
people in Kenya and Uganda on multiple occasions.
WIDER COMMUNI TY, RE GI ON A L A ND O VER SEA S
MINISTRY

NOMI NATED BY:
Revd Angus MacLeay
Rector of St Nicholas’
Church, Sevenoaks
Revd Wendy Carr
Associate Vicar of
Tonbridge Parish Church
Throughout ministry, I have had the privilege and experience of working alongside those
from a variety of theological backgrounds and traditions. I would seek to serve fruitfully with
clergy across the diocese.
I would carefully scrutinise the legislation before the Synod and seek to ensure that, in
matters of safeguarding, finance and national structures, the local parish church is
supported and enabled in its ministry.
I would be willing to serve on additional committees, particularly in relation to my specific
interests and concerns noted below.
IF ELECTED. ..
Lay Ministry Training: I have consistently supported the training of lay people for
ministry. I would encourage opportunities across our churches for people to discover,
develop and use their God-given gifts.
Discipleship of Children and Young People: It has been a privilege to serve in
congregations with growing children’s and youth ministries. I would support Synod
initiatives that strengthen the discipleship of children and young people.
Evangelism: In a society searching for hope, meaning and belonging, I believe Jesus is
“the Light of the World”, who came to “seek and save the lost”. I would encourage and
support effective evangelistic initiatives, so that more people may come to know Jesus
Christ and discover the hope and life he offers.
Human Identity and Sexuality: I am one of many who wish to uphold the Church’s
received teaching, while listening carefully and treating those who disagree with
seriousness and respect.
AREAS OF SPECI FIC I NT ER ES T
General Synod plays a significant role in shaping the life, witness and governance of the
Church of England. If elected, I would seek to prayerfully represent the Diocese of Rochester,
listening carefully to others, contributing thoughtfully to debate, and working constructively
for the good of Christ’s Church.
I N S U M M A R Y
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at:
mark.redhousechristchurchbromley.org
CONTACT

discipleship,evangelism,evangelistic,finance,gospel,mission,safeguarding,sexuality,witness,young people,youth,youth worker