West Church Staff
As you visit West, we want to send out a warm welcome as we draw people in and make them feel at home. We are a genuine community, caring for one another with wholehearted commitment as we serve together showing real growth as we acknowledge Jesus Christ in all our ways.
Ministers
Very Rev. Dr. Charles McMullen
Charles was called to West in 1999 from Legacurry Presbyterian. He enjoys teaching as well as being alongside people to share the love of Christ with others. Charles works in conjunction with the Elders to provide overall vision and direction for the Church. His favourite Bible text is John 3:30 ‘He must increase; I must decrease͛.
Charles served as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland for 2018/19.
Associate Minister
Rev Richard Heslip Houston
Richard joined our ministry team in April 24, as Associate Minister, with ministry experience from Belfast, Ballymena and Dublin. Alongside preaching across our two sites, he prioritises Leadership Development and Ministry Co-ordination. Richard is married to Mimi, and they have a daughter names Ella.
Pastoral Associate
Very Rev. Dr. Roy Patton
Roy has recently retired from Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church where he ministered for almost 24 years. Roy a past Moderator joins our staff team as a Pastoral Associate and will be visiting members of our congregation as well as preaching one Sunday a month.
Mission & Outreach Associate
Clare Watton
Clare joined our team in June 2022 as an Mission and Outreach Associate with the main focus being on Kilcooley. Clare has come from a background in Employability, Mental Health and Wellbeing Coaching and will be sharing her gifts serving in the Community.
Youth & Children's Associate
Andrew McClelland
Andrew is our Youth & Children’s Associate who has overall vision for our Youth & Children’s Ministry. He oversees our Youth Work with our teenagers in Young West . Andrew is also involved in School Ministry and regularly speaks in assemblies to our local schools.
Children's Worker
Rosalind Shillaker
Rosalind (Roz) is our Children’s Worker. Roz comes from a back ground in teaching and will work with Andrew to deliver the Children’s programme through out Creche, West Kids, and West Tots both in West and Kilcooley as well as School Ministry.
Senior Church Administrator
Cheryl Miller
Cheryl is the Senior Office Administrator managing the daily running of the office and the church premises including working closely with our Minister Charles, the Pastoral Team, Congregational Committee and various sub groups formed from the Committee. Cheryl also edits and produces our West life magazine as well as heading up the Communications sub-group of Committee. Cheryl also gives much of her spare time to the Church as our Girls’ Brigade Captain.
Church Administrator & Deputy Designated Officer
Wendy Dobbin
Wendy is our part time church administrator working 2 days each week. Wendy works closely with Cheryl and the Pastoral Team dealing with many queries and requests that a busy congregation demands, ensuring the smooth running of the church. Wendy supports Marc with the delivery of the Taking Care Programme in West. Should any Child Protection situation arise, Wendy can be contacted on 02891466670.
Director of Worship
Gillian Caughey
Gillian is our Director of Worship and a second generation organist, who, as an expression of her own openness and versatility, also delights in well known praise songs or creating her own compositions. She expresses her services in many ways, drawing up praise rotas or coming alongside team members with pastoral concerns.
Caretaker
Stephen Burnside
Stephen our full time premises Caretaker. Stephen carries out all the maintenance in the Church from painting to repairs.
Caretaker
Lin Montgomery
Lin has been a Caretaker with us in West for the last 14 years, she works 3 days a week supporting Stephen in maintaining the church premises, and undertakes a range of duties keeping the church and rooms in excellent condition ready to be used by everyone.
Clerk Of Session
Lindsay Conway
Lindsay is a former Director of Social Services with PCI. As a Clerk of Session he supports the staff team, leads Kirk Session and oversees the work of the Congregational Committee.
Deputy Clerk Of Session
Maureen Bennett
Maureen is a former post primary teacher and Education and Training Inspector. Now retired, she supports the leadership team and the Kirk Session of West in developing its strategy for the spiritual oversight of the congregation and its life and witness.
Designated Officer
Marc Harding
Taking Care is the Child Protection programme of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Marc is our Designated Officer appointed by Kirk Session in 2021. Marc’s role is to Co-ordinate the area of child protection in the congregation and to oversee the appointment process for new leaders including arranging taking care child protection training for every leader. In the instance that a child protection issue arises Marc must be consulted with and can be contacted on 07816 169022.