General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Merisa MacInnes
Nominators: Maggie Blake, Heather Batho, St Austell Deanery

Why me? General Synod needs a shake up. Agenda items need reviewing, I would like to
see mission and growth at the heart of debates, trusting God for big change, rather than
getting side-tracked or looking back at the past.

Why now? I am 60 and have been involved in planting and leading churches since I became
a Christian at the age of 18, as student in London. I am not a political player, but a plain
speaker who can identify the main issues and address them boldly.

What do I bring? A breadth of experience, at local and international levels, I have worked
all my career as a Marketing and Communications director across many Christian charities
and freelance. Currently I am working with a Christian youth charity in the Midlands and
also run around Tesco two mornings a week picking people’s online shopping requests in the
Dot.com department. It has opened my eyes to the struggles so many people in Truro
Diocese face just to feed their families.

My views? I want to champion the voluntary workers who get their hands dirty at all levels
in the church. I have served on the Bishop’s Diocesan Council, and for a time as Lay Chair
of Diocesan Synod, but more importantly I serve my local community in Fowey – as Church
Warden, leading and preaching, and all the background roles which go unseen. I am orthodox
in my biblical beliefs, evangelical and charismatic in my approach and get excited when I see
the power of God change people’s lives. Church (the people as well as the building) are at
the heart of so many of our rural communities and we are a safe place for solace, comfort and
prayer. Our theology needs to be applied to our everyday lives, be relevant to all, and I firmly
believe that there is not enough kindness or thankfulness in our church institutions. This
needs to change. We are all made in God’s image, we are all unique with specific callings
and ministries. We are all equal. Titles can be unhelpful, but making a difference to our
world each day is what matters.

Please do vote for me if you would like to see Truro Diocese represented in this way. I
promise I will be kind, prayerful, outspoken when needed and see important issues debated
well to bring positive change to General Synod and the future of the church in the UK.

[email protected]
0780 1573033
20 Station Road, Fowey. PL23 1DF

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