Meet the Team
Our leadership team is made up of Elders and a team of Deacons. Some of these are also staff who work alongside many wonderful volunteers.
David Treneer
Elder and Senior Pastor
David grew up in Nairobi, Kenya as part of a missionary family, and is passionate about teaching God’s Word and reaching out to those locally and around the world, to help people know Jesus, understand God’s word and discover a life filled with the Spirit.
Before being a pastor he was an engineering consultant, and has a Masters in Applied Theology. David enjoys paddleboarding on the sea at the end of the road and lives near Holland Road with his wife Laura and three children.
Tim Vellacott
Elder and Pastor for Preaching and Strategy
Tim joined Holland Road as a Sussex student in 1997 and has been on staff since 2003. He leads our Sunday gatherings and preaching and helps David to lead the church.
Tim and his wife Laura are enjoying the adventure of parenting two teenagers, and love good food and long walks on the Downs. Tim’s happy place is the sea, ideally surfing or windsurfing.
Jonny Holman
Elder and responsible for Communities, Communications and Systems
Jonny joined the staff team in September 2010. He is an elder and holds responsibility for all our communications, communities and our systems.
Jonny and Laura live in East Brighton with their daughters Jemima, Cleo and Juniper and share a passion for Jesus and for discipling students and young adults.
Simon Whitfield
Elder
Simon is married to Becky and they have two children, Reuben and Lydia. They they have been at Holland Road since 2011.
Simon works for the NHS in mental health care.
Jen Cottingham
World Mission Team Leader and PA to David Treneer
Jen came to Holland Road in 2002 after moving to Hove. She was a pioneer of our intern program in 2008 and has since taught kindergarteners at one of our global partners, Bingham Academy in Ethiopia, for four years as a SIM missionary.
Jen helps David with various behind the scenes tasks, leads the World Mission Team and loves to express her creativity through DIY and cooking for people.
Amanda Roberts
Children’s Leader
Amanda has a passion for working with children and seeing them encounter God and grow in their faith. She has been involved with the children’s ministry at Holland Road since 2004 and is responsible for the children’s activities that happen throughout the year.
Originally from the USA, she now lives in Hangleton with her husband Paul, three children and a variety of pets! She loves baking, singing, and spending time with friends, old and new!.
Helen Steele
Finance Coordinator
Helen has been part of Holland Road for over 20 years and is responsible for coordinating the church’s finances. She loves being part of the church family here, and enjoys being involved with the children’s work on a Sunday morning. She also leads a community together with her husband Brian. She lives locally in Hove and has four sons.
Dan and Becca Sweet
Assistant Ministers
Becca and Dan love this city and enjoy getting to know people. Dan takes care of our student and young adults at Holland Road and Becca is currently on maternity leave.
Steve Walker
Operations Manager
Steve moved to Brighton in 1981 and first came to Holland Road in 2004. In 2016, after 34 years in Financial Services Steve followed God’s call and joined the staff at Holland Road. He is a trustee and helpe to manage the staffing and administration of the church.
Steve is married to Kim who works for the YMCA Downslink Group. They live in Portslade with their daughter Lizzie. Steve loves all things football related and living in Brighton, is of course a Manchester United fan.
Helen Wheeler
Youth and Children’s Leader
Helen has been part of the Holland Road church family since moving here in 2007. She has worked with children and young people in a variety of jobs and loves watching children and young people learn new things and discover God for themselves. She lives in Portslade and enjoys making things.
Trustees
Our Trustees, who oversee the financial, legal and operational management of the church are Emma Fletcher, Ray Francis, Tim Ison, Laura Lurcock, Sheridan Lynch, Andrei Pop, David Treneer, Steve Walker and Olivia Wilson.