National Leader

Leads the Network across Wales


Julian Richards

Julian is the National Leader of New Wine Cymru. In 1991 he founded Cornerstone Church Swansea with his wife Sarah and 5 young people in one of the most deprived areas of the city. Today it is a thriving church known across Wales for its community work, people finding Christ regularly and many physical healings. In 2014 they opened Venue2, a former supermarket, as a second Cornerstone site.

Julian co-founded Gweini (meaning ‘to serve’ in Welsh) the Counsel for Christian Community work in Wales, which was established to represent Christian, faith-based community work to the Welsh Assembly Government and wider society.  His passion is to see church leaders equipped and developed, local churches thriving and missionally effective, so that local communities and the nation of Wales would be transformed through the power of Christ and his kingdom.

Julian and Sarah have 3 grown-up children who all live with a deep sense of calling to serve Jesus.

National Leadership Team

The National Leadership Team are drawn from the leaders of the regional teams across Wales; This team works together to ensure nationwide collaboration and apostolic oversight of the New Wine Cymru movement.


Steve Ball

Steve has been a member of the Elim National Leadership Team since 2018 when he became regional leader for Wales & southern England. Previously he was Senior Pastor of City Church, Cardiff.

Steve is a member of the South East region leadership team of New Wine Cymru.  He is married to Helen and they have three grown up children

Lesley Bartholomew

Lesley leads Bridge Church in Saundersfoot. Launched 3 years ago, Bridge Church seeks to create a fresh expression of church, one that is relevant and relatable to all and to be able to share the adventure that faith in God brings!  The Church seeks to serve alongside the variety of enterprises and projects that work hard for the good of the community. Lesley and her husband moved to Saundersfoot 8 years ago, having lived in Pembrokeshire for many years. She has three adult kids and seven grandchildren.

Bill & Ellen Chapman

Bill & Ellen have led the Elim Church in Llanelli for 23 years, 19 of which have been at Myrtle House. They are passionate about serving their town through bringing generous hope and serving their local community with numerous projects and initiatives. Together Bill & Ellen head up the south Network.

Bruce Collins

Bruce was born in South Africa, and trained as a Chemical Engineer. He was ordained in London Diocese in 1983, and was Team Rector of the Roxeth Team Ministry from 1990 to 2003. He served on the New Wine England Leadership team from 1997 to 2011, overseeing the development of its English and international networks. In 2007 he moved to South Wales and became part of New Wine Cymru.

Andrew Davies

Alongside his wife Liz, Andrew leads Hope Community Church Pontypridd and the West Valleys region for New Wine Cymru. They have been involved in church planting and training leaders for over 22 years as well as overseeing churches in the UK and Germany. Andrew is part of the Core Team and National Leaders Team of New Wine Cymru. Andrew & Liz have 5 adult children and love dogs.

Liz Davies

Liz Davies, alongside her husband Andrew, leads Hope Community Church Pontypridd and heads up the West Valleys Region for New Wine Cymru. They have been involved in church planting and training leaders for over 22 years as well as overseeing churches in the UK and Germany. They are part of the national team of New Wine Cymru. Liz & Andrew have 5 adult children and love dogs

Paul Francis

Paul has had over 30 years ministry experience as youth worker and church leader – all in the same church in Cardiff! He is also a director of a number of charities that are part of Glenwood Faith Community - a missional expression of local church.  He is passionate about church, creativity and loves watching rugby, catching a film and reading. He co-leads the South East Network for New Wine Cymru.

Steve Harmes

Steve leads RiverDee Community Church in Flint and along with his wife Jane, runs many projects and community outreach programs.Steve previously worked in shipping.

RiverDee Community Church has become a significant church in the town and in recent years has enjoyed increased growth and influence. As well as being a husband, he is a father and grandfather.

Rob Jones

Rob was powerfully converted as a teenager following a serious accident and miraculous healing. Rob is part of Towy Community Church, Carmarthen and supports church plants and churches across Wales. He has a passion for worship and is a Welsh Learner. Rob is the Chair of the NWC Board.

Sarah Richards

Sarah is Senior Leader of Cornerstone Church Swansea and is a member of the New Wine Cymru Core team.  Sarah is a leadership developer, strategist and communicator and has a passion to see the local church becoming strong and effective in reaching its members and its community. Sarah has been involved in leadership for 34 years.

Dave Rowlands

Dave started his full time ministry with London City Mission working in the East End of London. Since then, he moved back to North Wales where he has been involved in leading churches, and pioneering new churches. Dave has been in North Wales for over 30 years. Dave is married to Ruth; they have five married children and many grandchildren

Clyde Thomas

Clyde is a Christian leader who is passionate about Jesus’ cause in the 21st century. He is a visionary leader, an inspiring communicator and most importantly a Jesus follower. Along with his wife Rebekah, he leads Victory Church Cwmbran, a multi site church with a global reach. He is passionate about justice for all people and ministers widely to those in poverty and addiction. His personal story of transformation has impacted thousands of lives as he has shared it internationally. Clyde also co-leads Hope Centre Ministries, a network of Christian drug and alcohol recovery centres.

Heath Van Staden

Heath is married to Leah and have 3 kids. They, together with the eldership team, have led Liberty Church in Newport since 2015. He is passionate about seeing the body of Christ healthy and mature. Help people see a bigger perspective and lift their gaze so that they can walk in the fullness of who they are and what God has for them.

Chris Vaz

Since 2012, Chris is the Senior Minister at Gateway Church, Abergavenny- a thriving fellowship that is experiencing significant growth. Prior to coming to Wales, Chris was Associate Pastor at a vibrant church in Wembley London. Chris and his wife Lyra were both born and raised in India and came to Britain as missionaries in 2006. Chris has a passion for leadership training and helping churches to grow. He leads the East Valleys Network.

Core Team

The Core team is drawn from the National Leadership team, which both informs the National Leadership team and ensures the effective implementation of the New Wine Cymru priorities


Steve Ball

Steve has been a member of the Elim National Leadership Team since 2018 when he became regional leader for Wales & southern England. Previously he was Senior Pastor of City Church, Cardiff.

Steve is a member of the South East region leadership team of New Wine Cymru.  He is married to Helen and they have three grown up children

Andrew Davies

Alongside his wife Liz, Andrew leads Hope Community Church Pontypridd and the West Valleys region for New Wine Cymru. They have been involved in church planting and training leaders for over 22 years as well as overseeing churches in the UK and Germany. Andrew is part of the Core Team and National Leaders Team of New Wine Cymru. Andrew & Liz have 5 adult children and love dogs.

Paul Francis

Paul has had over 30 years ministry experience as youth worker and church leader – all in the same church in Cardiff! He is also a director of a number of charities that are part of Glenwood Faith Community - a missional expression of local church.  He is passionate about church, creativity and loves watching rugby, catching a film and reading. He co-leads the South East Network for New Wine Cymru.

Rob Jones

Rob was powerfully converted as a teenager following a serious accident and miraculous healing. Rob is part of Towy Community Church, Carmarthen and supports church plants and churches across Wales. He has a passion for worship and is a Welsh Learner. Rob is the Chair of the NWC Board.

Julian Richards

Julian is the National Leader of New Wine Cymru. In 1991 he founded Cornerstone Church Swansea with his wife Sarah and 5 young people in one of the most deprived areas of the city. Today it is a thriving church known across Wales for its community work, people finding Christ regularly and many physical healings. In 2014 they opened Venue2, a former supermarket, as a second Cornerstone site.

Julian co-founded Gweini (meaning ‘to serve’ in Welsh) the Counsel for Christian Community work in Wales, which was established to represent Christian, faith-based community work to the Welsh Assembly Government and wider society.  His passion is to see church leaders equipped and developed, local churches thriving and missionally effective, so that local communities and the nation of Wales would be transformed through the power of Christ and his kingdom.

Julian and Sarah have 3 grown-up children who all live with a deep sense of calling to serve Jesus.

Sarah Richards

Sarah is Senior Leader of Cornerstone Church Swansea and is a member of the New Wine Cymru Core team.  Sarah is a leadership developer, strategist and communicator and has a passion to see the local church becoming strong and effective in reaching its members and its community. Sarah has been involved in leadership for 34 years.

Dave Rowlands

Dave started his full time ministry with London City Mission working in the East End of London. Since then, he moved back to North Wales where he has been involved in leading churches, and pioneering new churches. Dave has been in North Wales for over 30 years. Dave is married to Ruth; they have five married children and many grandchildren

Chris Vaz

Since 2012, Chris is the Senior Minister at Gateway Church, Abergavenny- a thriving fellowship that is experiencing significant growth. Prior to coming to Wales, Chris was Associate Pastor at a vibrant church in Wembley London. Chris and his wife Lyra were both born and raised in India and came to Britain as missionaries in 2006. Chris has a passion for leadership training and helping churches to grow. He leads the East Valleys Network.

Operations Manager

Oversees day to day running of NWC


Jez Fage

Jez, a qualified Maths teacher, entered missionary work in Africa with his wife Helen in 2003. He returned from Uganda with his family in 2012 to take on the role of Operations Manager at New Wine Cymru and is passionate to see churches impact the nation of Wales.

Board of Trustees & Directors

Responsible for governance and legality of NWC


Paul Griffiths

Paul is the Senior Pastor of Towy Community Church Carmarthen. In 2013 Towy Community Church established an award winning social enterprise known as the Xcel Project. The project brings employment to the community and has over a hundred volunteers who help on a weekly basis. The project encompasses Xcel Bowl a 10-pin bowling alley, Carmarthen Foodbank, Xcel Furniture recycling and Xcel Community Shop. Through the project hundreds of lives are impacted on a weekly basis.

Rob Jones

Rob was powerfully converted as a teenager following a serious accident and miraculous healing. Rob is part of Towy Community Church, Carmarthen and supports church plants and churches across Wales. He has a passion for worship and is a Welsh Learner. Rob is the Chair of the NWC Board.

Kathryn Tyler

Kathryn and her husband have been leaders in Gateway Church Caerphilly for many years. She has a heart for church unity and youth ministry, and is involved in a number of other local charities which utilise this passion. Kathryn has a background in the pharmaceutical industry and for many years ran her own business. She is committed to the vision and values of New Wine Cymru and believes there are greater things to come in this nation of Wales.

Andrew Lawrence

Andrew uses his professional skills and experience as a Chartered Accountant and Finance Director to carry out a number of non-executive director roles in Wales and England (several of which are in the social housing sector). He plays a key support role to his wife Lesley, a Baptist minister, who is an Associate Evangelist with Love Wales. Andrew is fully committed to the vision, mission and values of New Wine Cymru and believes that Wales shall be saved!