Our keynote speakers this year bring with them a wealth of experience, insight and wisdom. We're excited to learn with and through them as we gather to seek God for the campuses of our nations.
We believe that there is an Uprising gathering momentum, students calling out to Jesus to see their campuses transformed, come and join us in September to seek, to pray and to be equipped for another year of service.
James Aladiran
James leads Prayer Storm, a movement of worship & intercession which equips the church to be in prayer as well as gathering people from across the UK to fast and pray for the nation, believing God for a great spiritual awakening. Since starting in May 2009 Prayer Storm has become a catalytic movement in seeing many catch a heart for intercession, starting regular prayer meetings in churches, schools, universities and workplaces. James also worked at the Message Trust coordinating their Prayer Strategy for 7 years. James is married to Rebecca who leads worship at the Prayer Storm gatherings and together they have a son.
Rachel Hughes
Rachel has a background in Television & Media and worked for the BBC in London before joining the staff at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) where she headed up the Creativity & Arts Department. Whilst at HTB, Rachel was involved in teaching and leading as well as pioneering a new ministry for Mums called MOLO with their 4 young children. Rachel has relished leading Gas Street alongside husband Tim and is passionate about seeing God’s Kingdom come in Birmingham.
Jasper Rutherford
Jasper is from Belfast in Northern Ireland and helps head up Summer Madness. Recently he has become the Director of European Expansion for Christ In Youth (CIY). Jasper was a youth pastor for 7 years with Willowfield Parish Church in the inner city of east Belfast. He is a passionate evangelist with a huge heart for peace and reconciliation. As a result he expects God to show up in unexpected places. He is married to Lynne, who is a primary school teacher and they have 3 children. Unfortunately, he is also a die hard Liverpool FC supporter!
Phil Knox
Phil has been at Youth for Christ for over a decade and is part of the leadership team. He lives to see churches reaching young people and equipping and inspiring every Christian young person to share their faith. A volunteer youth worker at St Boniface Church, Quinton, part time YFCI Director of Western Europe, he has a law degree and recently completed a MA in Mission and Evangelism. Phil is married to Dani and they have a son called Caleb. He is an avid runner and footballer, a proud Aston Villa supporter and battles a mild coffee addiction.
Miriam Swaffield
Miriam leads all things student mission for Fusion. She travels about equipping students for mission and evangelism through the local church. She lives in York, dabbles in spoken word poetry, thinks she’s more of a surfer than she actually is and tries not to make jokes all the time.
Rich Wilson
Rich is responsible for strategy that builds partnerships and grows the work of Fusion as the Fusion Team Leader and has been leading in student ministry and mission for over 20 years. He lives in the university town of Loughborough and is a member of Open Heaven Church. He is married to Ness and is a supporter of Man City, a very keen golfer and a fan of most forms of food and drink.
We will also be welcoming some excellent seminar speakers. Stories and interviews from practitioners, chances to meet and share your stories and space to pray and worship God as a student mission movement.
