Chris Keane
Associate Rector
Chris is married to Elinor, a Classics teacher, and they have three children. He grew up in a churchgoing family, but it was during his time at university that he really grasped the importance of Jesus’ death for us. After studying Computer Science and working in IT for a few years, Chris trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford and was a curate in Basingstoke. He came to St Leonard’s in 2011 and, among other things, oversees our student ministry.
Luke Markham
Youth and Families Minister
Luke grew up part of church and is grateful to his parents for helping him to know Jesus from a young age. During his early teens he came to understand God’s love and forgiveness for himself which marked a turning point in his life. Luke works primarily with the 11-18s and their families since arriving at St Leonard’s in 2024. He is most excited about helping people hear God speak through His Word, and loves getting to spend time with teenagers through all the ups and downs of those years. Luke and Miri first met and got together at their church youth group (!) and now have three children after getting married in 2016. Luke enjoys a good debate with friends, reading, and eating anything savoury, and so is currently learning how to ‘enjoy’ exercise as a result.
Ruth Clarke
Children & Families Minister
Ruth grew up in a churchgoing family and, by God’s grace, can’t remember a time when she didn’t know Jesus as her Saviour. She has been part of the St Leonard’s Church family since arriving in Exeter as a student in 2003. After graduating, Ruth worked as a Ministry Assistant at St Leonard’s for a year before training as a primary school teacher. In 2019 she began working full time with the under 11s and their families at St Leonard’s Church and has continued to build on our strong links with St Leonard’s Primary School.
Mel Mullen
Ministry Support Administrator
Mel has 2 grown up children and is married to Nick, a nurse at the local hospital. Mel came to know Jesus at her church youth group and school Christian Union, when she realised she needed to decide for herself who Jesus really is. Mel works in the office three days a week organising Sundays and much more.
Gill Steele
Safeguarding and Bookings Administrator
Gill is married to Robert and has two grown up children and two granddaughters. Gill grew up in a God believing farming family, on the National Trusts Killerton Estate just outside Broadclyst. She came to know Jesus as her Lord and Saviour at the age of ten after attending a tent campaign in the village of Dulverton and was baptised by full emersion at the age of 12 at Cullompton Gospel Hall. Gill has been attending St Leonards since 2020, she helps with the Explorers, a group of 3 to 7 year old children on a Sunday morning. Gill works in the church office for 12 hours a week as the Safeguarding and Bookings Administrator.
Tom Richards
Churchwarden
Tom is married to Sarah and has been a member of St Leonard’s since 2007. He came to Exeter as a student and was greatly helped through the ministry of St Leonard’s to grasp the good news of the gospel and grow in a love for the Lord Jesus and his word. After graduating he spent two years as a Ministry Assistant and has since had the opportunity to serve in a number of different areas of church life.
Alfredda Lake
Churchwarden
Alfredda says: I became a Christian in my 20s, accepting Jesus’ invitation to take up the cross and follow him. In all the ups and downs of life, it is the Lord’s love, forgiveness, grace and faithfulness together with the support of loving, prayerful Christian friends that has kept me following. One of my favourite definitions of a Christian: ‘One beggar telling another beggar where to find bread’.
I am married to Pete, and we have 2 sons, a cat and a dog.
