Profiles of speakers for our 2019 conference
John & Pearl Aitken - Originally from Scotland, John (62) has lived in Bristol for 24 years. The move south was to facilitate his role in missionary work. John and his wife Pearl have a particular interest in the Uygher Muslim people group in N. W. China. In 2008, John joined Echoes of Service as Operations Director and became General Director in December 2015. Echoes merged with another charity to become Echoes International on 1st January 2018 and serves as a mission service group with 190 workers serving in 30 countries.
John has two adult daughters, Natalie and Katie, both married. Natalie is mother to John and Pearl’s two grandsons William and Finn, both still toddlers. John enjoys soccer, jogs for 5km two or three times a week and is a keen gardener.
John has two adult daughters, Natalie and Katie, both married. Natalie is mother to John and Pearl’s two grandsons William and Finn, both still toddlers. John enjoys soccer, jogs for 5km two or three times a week and is a keen gardener.
John & Claudete Axford - By the grace of God John was saved at the age of 18. He grew up and worked in Bath, England and at the age of 24 was commended by a local assembly to the grace of God for service in the Amazon, Brazil. Claudete is from Brazil and was saved at the age of 15. Having completed her 24th year, her heart was exercised to serve the Lord in Amazonia, north Brazil. She prepared for that. The Lord brought them together and they were married in 1975. They have been involved in the Lord’s work throughout Brazil for almost 45 years, including 18 in Mananus, 6 in Natal, north east Brazil and 12 in Tupi Paulista, São Paulo state.
Their first daughter Jaqueline, was born in Bath. The second daughter Rebekah was born in Manaus, Amazon. John and Claudete now have two granddaughters - Lorena & Gabriela.
Their first daughter Jaqueline, was born in Bath. The second daughter Rebekah was born in Manaus, Amazon. John and Claudete now have two granddaughters - Lorena & Gabriela.
Matthew & Ruth Hillier - In 1989 change took place in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe; Christian prisoners were released and returned to their homes. The great need of these believers led Matthew Hillier to form CMIAID which has sent over 80 containers packed with Bibles, literature, clothing, food, medical supplies and a wide range of equipment to Russia and the former Soviet Bloc.
In 2011 Matthew married Ruth and they continue to serve in the Lord’s work together. They now live in Moldova where much of the work of CMIAID is focused, and where a number of new projects are under way. Matthew and Ruth are commended to the work by Eastwood Christian Fellowship, their home assembly in Sydney, Australia.
In 2011 Matthew married Ruth and they continue to serve in the Lord’s work together. They now live in Moldova where much of the work of CMIAID is focused, and where a number of new projects are under way. Matthew and Ruth are commended to the work by Eastwood Christian Fellowship, their home assembly in Sydney, Australia.
Simeon & Gemma Locke - After serving individually in short term mission in other countries, Simeon and Gemma have worked in Mali since 2012. Their main aim is to share the gospel with an unreached people group in West Africa. They are involved in church planting and discipleship of local believers, as well as supporting the local church. It is a challenge for a church based in one people group to share the gospel effectively with another, so they are encouraging believers to find ways to cross the cultural boundaries.
In day-to-day ministry, they are involved in English teaching, literacy classes and development of literacy materials, and the Mali team is involved in projects based in education, construction and health work. They have three young children, a daughter, Elodie, and two sons, Jesse and Jonas.
In day-to-day ministry, they are involved in English teaching, literacy classes and development of literacy materials, and the Mali team is involved in projects based in education, construction and health work. They have three young children, a daughter, Elodie, and two sons, Jesse and Jonas.