PEOPLE

Elders

Andrew Blain

Andrew is married to Laura and they have four boys, Joshua, Reuben, Elijah and Phineas. They both came to Lancaster in 2007 to study at university. Following graduation they wanted to keep serving the growing gospel work in Lancaster, so they joined our Ministry Training Scheme and then stuck around by getting jobs in the area.

Andrew grew up overseas, living in far-flung places such as Australia, Vietnam, Azerbaijan and East Yorkshire! But since Lancaster is now the longest he's ever lived in one place, he's very proud to call it home!!

Andrew enjoys movies, board games and mint-chocolate ice-cream.

 

Michael Orford

Michael is married to Anna and they have one child, Lydia. Both Michael and Anna served on the staff team at Moorlands as trainees in the past, and now both work in Lancaster. Michael recently qualified as a Chartered Accountant, and he works for a local firm in town, and has been there for 7 years. 

At church he heads up the 14-18's youth work and he also co-leads the Friday Night Football outreach that church organises. In his spare time, you will find Michael playing or watching any sort of sport - but particularly anything to do with Chester FC! He also enjoys watching good films and doing a spot of gardening.  

 

Danny Rurlander

Danny is married to Emma and they have four adult children and two grandsons. Danny and Emma both grew up near Lancaster, trained at Moore College in Sydney, and were thrilled to return to be part of the revitalisation of Moorlands, which Danny has led since 2005.

Danny serves the church as Senior Pastor, which includes preaching, vision and strategy, and keeping the staff and elders teams on mission. He also sees raising leaders as a core part of his job as a local church pastor, and is passionate about preaching Christ from all the Scriptures.

Danny is also a published children’s author, and on days off you might find him exploring wide open spaces with an Ordnance Survey map, researching the setting for his next action adventure story for boys and girls aged 8-12.

 

Joe Standerwick

Joe is married to Natalie and they have four children: Sophie, Isla, Harry, and Jack. Joe trained for ministry at Oak Hill Theological College, before which he was on staff at Moorlands for five years. As Student Pastor, Joe’s primary role is to teach and care for students and their leaders, as well as helping other students hear the good news of Jesus. He also heads up our ministry trainee programme.

To relax Joe enjoys being out on his bike in the Trough of Bowland, walking with his family, reading a good novel, or competing with others on the squash court.

 

Simon Tomlinson

Simon is married to Coralie and they have four children; Talitha, Isla, Rory and Lydia. They live on the edge of the Lune Valley and love the Lancaster area. As well as serving as an elder Simon leads a Growth Group with Coralie and they are also actively involved in ministries with children and young people. 

Prior to moving to Lancaster, Simon worked in the City of London for almost twenty years, as a partner in a national firm of accountants, and then for an investment bank. He now finds himself working with a wide range of local businesses. To relax, Simon enjoys cycling and other outdoor pursuits, but more often than not, he finds his free time is spent mowing grass, strimming hedges, cutting logs, and painting gutters, with the occasional walk along the River Lune with the family and their dog!

 

Gareth Watts

Gareth is married to Fiona and they have three children, James, Caleb and Anna. They came to Lancaster as students and got stuck into the student programme at Moorlands. During that time they were convinced of the centrality of the gospel, and decided to make Lancaster their home after graduating to continue serving as part of the church family.  

After graduating Gareth spent 5 years as part of the Staff Team working with students, before finding a job as a mortgage adviser at a firm in the city centre. He’s a very passionate professional cycling fan, and occasionally enjoys riding his own bike!

 

Nathan Weston

Nathan is married to Sîan and they have three children; Ben, Isaac, and Hannah. Nathan and Sian both grew up in Blackpool and were members of Moorlands for around 5 years before moving to London for Nathan to train at Oak Hill Theological College. After finishing studies in 2013, they returned to Lancaster for Nathan to take up the position of Associate Pastor.

In his spare time Nathan enjoys highly dangerous extreme sports, such as birdwatching, reading, doing crosswords and listening to Test Match Special.

Church Staff

Danny (1).jpeg

Danny Rurlander

Senior Pastor

Danny is married to Emma and they have four adult children and two grandsons. Danny and Emma both grew up near Lancaster and were thrilled to return to be part of the revitalisation of Moorlands, which Danny has led since 2005.  

Danny serves the church as Senior Pastor, which includes preaching, vision and strategy, and keeping the staff and elders teams on mission. He also sees raising leaders as a core part of his job as a local church pastor, and is passionate about preaching Christ from all the Scriptures.

Danny is also a published children’s author, and on days off you might find him exploring wide open spaces with an Ordnance Survey map, researching the setting for his next action adventure story for boys and girls aged 8-12..

 
Nathan.jpeg

Nathan Weston

Associate Pastor

Nathan is married to Sîan and they have three children; Ben, Isaac, and Hannah. Nathan and Sian both grew up in Blackpool and were members of Moorlands for around 5 years before moving to London for Nathan to train at Oak Hill Theological College. After finishing studies in 2013, they returned to Lancaster for Nathan to take up the position of Associate Pastor.

In his spare time Nathan enjoys highly dangerous extreme sports, such as birdwatching, reading, doing crosswords and listening to Test Match Special.

 
Becky (1).jpeg

Becky Byrom

Families Worker

Becky came to Lancaster to train as a music teacher in 2005 and she loved being a part of Moorlands so much she didn't want to leave.  Becky has been working for our church family since 2009 - first as a trainee and now as our families worker.

Becky likes to sing and play the piano and is almost completely dependent on tea. Other spare moments are filled with eating, watching films and trying to survive circuit training.

 

Felicity Hargreaves

Women’s Worker

Felicity moved to Lancaster in 2006 and spent 7 years teaching the Bible to students as a Ministry Trainee and then Student Worker. She is married to Stephen and they have 3 boys, Samuel, James and Thomas. She now works part time teaching, discipling and training women at Moorlands.

Her favourite thing to do is to open up the Bible one to one with Christian women and those investigating Christianity. In her spare time she loves reading on her own and with her boys, going for walks and playing cricket with her family and drinking tea with her friends.

 
People - Joe.jpg

Joe Standerwick

Student Pastor

Joe is married to Natalie and they have four children: Sophie, Isla, Harry, and Jack. Joe trained for ministry at Oak Hill Theological College, before which he was on staff at Moorlands for five years. As Student Pastor, Joe’s primary role is to teach and care for students and their leaders, as well as helping other students hear the good news of Jesus. He also heads up our ministry trainee programme.

To relax Joe enjoys being out on his bike in the Trough of Bowland, walking with his family, reading a good novel, or competing with others on the squash court.

 

Lydia Stones

Trainee Student Worker

Lydia is married to Howie and came to Lancaster in 2016 to study Environmental Biology (NOT Geography - to dispel any rumours). She has been part of Moorlands since her first year and has stuck around ever since as she loved the way the whole church family longed to grow in maturity and faith!

She is looking forward to serving her church family this year, particularly the students and growing more in love of God and his good plans.

Lydia enjoys browsing charity shops and drinking chai tea latte; she loves all things nature and any excuse to do fancy dress.

Ministry Support Staff

Becca.jpeg

Becca Holden

Administrator

Becca was born in the North West and has spent most her life here, bar a brief spell in Chesterfield. Becca was raised in a Christian home and is very thankful to God for it. She became a Christian in her teens. Becca and her family moved to Moorlands in 2012.

Becca is a massive Bolton Wanders fan and is one of only a handful of people who still owns a season ticket! Aside from football, she loves to spend time with friends and enjoys watching test cricket, rugby league and the occasional crime show. Her main task as Administrator is freeing Danny up for more word ministry.

 

Erin Skillicorn

Families Administrator

Erin was born in Northern Ireland and moved to Lancaster for university in 2008. Whilst at university she met her now husband Richard, and is settled into Lancaster life with their two children. Erin has been part of Moorlands Church family since 2010, and has enjoyed partnering with her church family in many different ways in that time.

Erin is a proud supporter of the Irish Rugby team and is eager to ensure her children are too! When the rugby isn't on Erin enjoys spending time with family and friends, eating cake and watching crime dramas. Her main task on the staff team is to support Becky in families ministry.

Ministry Trainees

Katherine Marett

Katherine was born in South Africa and moved to Liverpool when she was 9. She became a Christian at 15 particularly through studying the book of Romans in her youth group in Liverpool. She came to Lancaster in 2019 to study Biochemistry with Genetics and joined Moorlands Church. She was struck by the welcome and the great Gospel-centered teaching at Moorlands Church, and she’s been part of Moorlands Church ever since.

Katherine is excited to serve as a trainee, to be strengthened in her faith and to be trained and equipped for a lifetime of Gospel ministry.

In her spare time, she enjoys playing piano and guitar, doing jigsaw puzzles, and going on long walks in nature. 

 

Chloe Woo

Chloe grew up in Hong Kong in a Christian family and came to Lancaster in 2017 to study film, media and cultural studies. She has been part of Moorlands since her third year and has loved the bible-centred teaching of the church and the love and support from church families ever since. She is looking forward to serving her church family as a trainee and growing more in knowledge, wisdom and love for God.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading and playing the piano. She also enjoys taking pictures of people around her and places she has visited.

To find out more about our Ministry Training Scheme click here.