Who's who

Staff Team

David Russell - Senior Pastor

David was brought up in Northchurch, and became a Christian here. He's been married to the lovely Michelle for 17 years (or thereabouts), and they have four children (so far): Olivia, Joel, Seth and Lily, and no pets (but would like a dog). He will watch, talk about and when he can, play football (supporting Southampton), rugby (supporting Wasps), and baseball (Boston Red Sox). He also reads a lot. No really, a lot. He's a great fan of prayer, worship, fasting and the other spiritual disciplines, and he loves cheese and instant coffee. A man of class. David graduated in theology after two years at Cliff College and went on to study for a further three years at Regent's Park College, Oxford. From taking the position of youth worker at NBC in 1997, he became the minister in 2001 and yes, is still here.

Tommy Masters - Assistant Pastor

Variously known as Tommy; Tom; R.Thomas; Grandad whitebeard, unlike David he wasn't brought up in Northchurch and did not go to the local schools. He didn't work locally, neither in an office or a warehouse so he didn't leave the town to go to college.
In fact, he was born and brought up in Belfast, left school at 15 and embarked on a variety of work and life experiences ending up with a wife & 4 children and a career in education via the Belfast Fire Brigade; the European Bible Institute in France; Glasgow among the down and outs (supporting with food, clothing and prayer!); London Bible College; Goldhill Baptist, the Chalfonts and Amersham; dabbling in painting and decorating and building (messy business!) before commuting to Hounslow and Feltham Community College (as headmaster) then Cranford Community College before "retiring" to work for the Learning and Skills Council. It's clear, he's a little inexperienced.
David Russell invited him into a supportive and pastoral role at NBC, which he has sought to do over the last 6 years amidst the kaleidoscope that is NBC life!

Adrian Abramian - Youth Pastor

Adrian Abramian is 26 years old, married to Terri and the youth pastor at NBC. Adrian has lived in Berkhamsted his entire life except for the three years he studied Theology at London School of Theology in Northwood. He has just completed a two year stint as student youth pastor (studying at Ridley Hall) before moving into full-time ministry here at NBC. Adrian isn't at all competitive. Ok, that's a lie. There isn't much in life that Adrian can't do, and it has been scientifically proven that he can't lose at any sport, despite people's best efforts to beat him. Aside from football being his favourite sport (supporting Chelsea, bless him), James is his favourite book of the bible, burgers are his favourite food and Settlers of Catan is his favourite board game.

Jo Kitson - Children's Worker

Originally from Plymouth, Jo studied for her BA(Hons) Business Degree in Cheltenham before moving to Brighton to undertake a Graduate Training Programme with First Choice Holidays. It was during this time that she met her now-husband Mark, we'd imagine due to the fading of her West Country accent. Following a number of marketing jobs and house moves, Jo and Mark settled in Pitstone with their two gorgeous daughters, Lucy and Abi. The undertaking of a dance apprenticeship with the contemporary Christian dance company Springs encouraged Jo to lead a number of dance workshops with children, and this in turn has taken her into a wider role within the Children's Ministry at NBC. In addition to her involvement in the Children's Ministry, Jo is currently studying for a diploma in Children's Mission and Ministry at Cliff College, near Sheffield. She has a passion for all things creative, and can often be found dancing and singing in the kitchen after the evening meal is done - she seems to think that the girls find such antics amusing and entertaining; we wonder how long it is before embarrassment sets in.

Tom Nicholls - Music & Worship Intern

Having fallen in love with Jesus in 2005, Tom has been at NBC since then. He studied Theology, Music and Worship at London School of Theology (in the shadow of Tommy and Adrian) and graduated in 2010. He fills the shoes of Music and Worship intern at NBC, and is passionate about seeing people released into worshipping God and knowledge of the Father's love. While he is blessed with being a multi-instrumentalist, he's a classical pianist at heart, and dreams of performing Chopin Fantasies at the Proms one day. His pastimes include songwriting, being enthusiastic but poor at tennis, investing in upcoming worship leaders and avoiding vegetables whatever the cost.

Leadership Team

Alastair McIver

Alastair is married to Sally and they have lived in Berkhamsted all of their married lives. They have two teenage daughters, Jessica and Carys, both of whom are involved in church activities. Alastair works in communications and advocacy with Interserve, a cross-cultural mission organisation. He has an unnerving ability to talk to anyone in any situation which has led to him knowing everyone...no seriously, everyone. We'll put it down to his evangelistic gifting rather than his good looks. He has served on the Leadership team at NBC for five years now and is well respected for his fresh insight, his composed demeanour and his superior tennis skills. He enjoys time with the family, walking, running, swimming, interviewing Roger Federer, watching Darlington FC when he can, and inviting people to church.

Andy Lee

Trained by the internationally renowned super-carpenter Dave Lee, Andy runs his own carpentry business under the inventive and original name, 'Andy Lee Carpentry', employing his younger brother Steve as his apprentice and tea-maker. Andy has been at NBC since his childhood and is thankful for all the years of investment and encouragement that the church family have given him. Along with being a serial encourager himself, he loves to hang out with friends, read his bible and sleep. During his limited hours awake, he's developed some mean skills on a snowboard, at the helm of his sailing dinghy, and behind the wheel of Scalextric racing cars. Along with disliking political correctness and computers, he loathes marmite and once tried to burn down the factory. Only joking.

Chris Dunham

Chris has been married to Anne for 50 years, has 3 children and 5 grandchildren. He has lived in Berkhamsted since 1961 and seen many changes to the town. He has been retired for several years after working for 29 years with London Underground as a Rolling Stock Engineer designing new, and refurbishing old trains. Feel free to blame his retirement for any ongoing delays to your tube travel.
Chris attended Christian Life College and with other students ministered alongside Jean Darnall. In more recent times he has learnt many aspects of the Christian life on various Ellel Ministry courses. He has also helped with many of their building projects, working alongside his son, Steve. Chris is respected both for his significant spiritual insight, his work with the Healing on the Streets team and his and Anne's commitment to our 'Movers and Shakers' fitness club.
Chris enjoys walking and cycling over the Chiltern Hills and canal towpaths, and spending time with his daughters and grandchildren. He is a keen gardener and helps on his daughter's allotment.

Jo Siriboe

Jo was born in Ghana and grew up there living in a happy Christian home with her parents and siblings. She moved to the UK in 1981 and lived in London for about twenty years before relocating to Hertfordshire in 1998. She currently lives with her daughter in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Whilst in the UK she completed an HR diploma course and has worked in HR for approximately twelve years before moving into finance for a brief period. She is now back into the HR world, something she enjoys! Jo enjoys a variety of pastimes including travelling and tries to visit her family back in Ghana every year. Her real passion though, is getting involved in church activities, especially praying and reading the word of God. Bringing a certain pentecostal vibe to Sunday services, Jo's voice can often be heard above the congregation proclaiming that "God's name is exalted above every other name, and He alone is God!"

Linda Kirkland

Together with her husband, David, and their two daughters, Linda has been attending NBC for about 12 years, where she is currently involved in active prayer ministry in and out of church. They lived in Berkhamsted before moving to Aldbury, where she is still hoping to have chickens one day. Perhaps her teenage daughters, Francesca and Georgia aren't enough to handle. Linda has extensive work experience, having been involved in a variety of projects including working as Director of Operations for 20 years in a London recruitment consultancy. That's right, Director - she has the chair to prove it. Currently, she works as a taxi driver for her children in and out of the local area.
In her spare time, Linda plays viola in an amateur String Quartet, hosts the Hope House Art & Jazz Festival with her husband and is actively involved in her community particularly with the Aldbury May Fair. She is passionate about most things in life and attributes this to having an Italian mother. We'll call it zeal.

Nigel Brown

Nigel became a Christian many years ago (he won't tell us how long) when he was a youngster attending the Salvation Army but has since been to a variety of different churches, believing very much in the united church of Christ; Nigel isn't one to be boxed. He is married to Alison and has four grown up children: Eleanor, John, Mark and Simon.
Living in Hemel Hempstead, he served in the Hertfordshire Constabulary as police officer for 30 years before retiring in 2009. He now works in higher education, teaching courses on management and leadership, and we've never met someone more qualified to do so.
Through NBC, Nigel and Alison have become involved in supporting a rural community in Zambia and have taken several trips out there despite rickety aircraft. Fortunately, Nigel is also a highly experienced skydiver so is unperturbed by such things. He wishes.
Nigel heads up HR at NBC and his integrity in leadership and passion for worship make him invaluable to the team.

Steve Brehm

Steve has an American father and a Scottish mother. He was brought up in both places and consequently has a bizarre, mid-Atlantic accent. Contrary to popular opinion, he is not related to Lloyd Grossman. Steve became a Christian when he was 15 years old in his High School in Dundee, Scotland. He went to St Andrews University, where he studied maths, played golf and met his now wife, Marion. He was a leader in the Christian Union at University, and was baptised the summer of his graduation (1990). Steve and Marion have three daughters - Naomi, Lydia and Danielle - and they live in Tring.
Steve's day job is the Accounts Director for Grass Roots, a global performance improvement company. We wonder whether it's improved his golf. He has responsibility for housegroup coordination in the church and often preaches in some of the surrounding towns and villages, employing his engaging vocal prowess and pioneering sense of humour.
Steve is very involved in the charity ROPE, enjoys playing golf and tennis and likes watching rugby, but supports Scotland so supporting the winning side is a rare experience.

Sylvie Prouse

Sylvie comes from Lancashire, moving south after meeting her now husband Tim at Leicester University, where they both became Christians. They married in 1980 and have lived in Northchurch or Berkhamsted since then. They have two grown-up children: Jenny and Barney. Sylvie worked for the Civil Service and now volunteers with the local Citizens Advice Bureau. She is unnervingly organised, and consequently is the go-to-guru for making things happen; the role of church secretary couldn't have been more aptly filled. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, her local Book Group and grilling Tom on the theology of worship songs.