KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Shirene Agbelusi
Shirene is the Associate Pastor at Elim Pentecostal Church in Coventry, UK, She serves on Aspire, Elim's national women's ministry team. She is a trained counsellor and has over 10 years experience of working in schools, supporting families with complex needs. Shirene passionately champions and empowers people from every background and every generation to walk in their God-given identity with God-given authority. Shirene is married to Sope, and they are proud parents of two amazing teenagers.
Dylan Wilk
Dylan, originally from Leeds, has founded two businesses. The first made him one of the UK’s richest entrepreneurs under 30, despite coming from a poor family. This didn’t make him happy, prompting him to ask God, “Why am I rich?” So he left his business and travelled the world looking for purpose. He moved to the Philippines where he started his second business, Human Nature. This eco friendly social enterprise, run on Christian principles, has helped hundreds out of poverty by offering fair employment.
SEMINAR SPEAKERS
Katie Dowds
Alice Brencher
Katie and Alice are pastors in Leeds, UK. They serve vulnerable adults who struggle with homelessness, addiction, poverty, and mental health. They are activists who care passionately about climate justice. This led to their involvement in Christian Climate Action and resulted in their arrest for peaceful protests. Katie has lived in Russia and studied French and Russian at degree level. Alice has a Theology degree from St Hild's Theological College.
Dr. Weyoms
Dr. Weyoms, from Nigeria, has had a varied career. She started as a medical doctor specialising in children's health before moving into environmental education, water sanitation, and studying a PhD in public health. She works as an early career researcher. She helps young people live out their potential through her youtube channel Moments with Dr. Weyoms and her publication The Growth Mindset Journal.
LAURA PALMER
Laura is a gifted evangelist who has led numerous evangelistic Bible studies with students from around the world and presented the Transformations Leeds evangelistic course Explore International. She has worked in international student ministry for 6 years and is the Mission Mobiliser for Transformations Leeds. Laura recently completed an MA in Multicultural Church in Practice from All Nations Christian College.
PHIL THOMAS
Phil is the founder and Director of Transformations Leeds and the instigator behind the Transforming your World conference. He has developed many godly leaders during 20 years of cross cultural mission. He particularly enjoys mentoring Christians to start transformational projects. Phil has an MA in Leadership in a Complex World from Redcliffe College.
STUART AITKEN
Stuart is an excellent Bible teacher who has worked in cross cultural mission for over 17 years. He taught pastors in Ecuador to teach the Bible and has been the Trainer and Developer for Transformations Leeds since 2019, co-leading the God’s Apprenticeship Programme. Stuart has a BA in Biblical and Cross Cultural Studies from All Nations Christian College.
“IVY”
Ivy, from East Asia, first came to faith as an international student in the UK. When she returned home, she wanted her young children to be nurtured in the Christian faith which led her to look for a Christian school. She used the language skills she gained as an overseas student to serve as a teacher at a Christian school despite this being illegal. Ivy has an inspirational story of taking risks in order to serve God.
