Redeemer's Story
Redeemer started as a dream, became a growing partnership, and is now taking on new forms.
Redeemer started with Thomas and Elizabeth dreaming of a move to London to start a new church. Partnering with some dear friends, they grew a small team of people who wanted to make that dream come to fruition. After years of preparation and discernment, they moved to London to take the next step in making their dream become a reality.
Redeemer has since become a hub of partnerships – consisting of individuals, families, churches, charities, foundations, and networks that have come together to help make the dream of Redeemer a reality. In the United States, connections were synthesised through partnering with The Summit Network, which is a church-startup organisation based in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
Partnerships were solidified in London prior to the team moving over. Co-Mission Network, a church start-up company based in Wimbledon, backed the vision of starting a new church in North West London and are the key partners in the city. Together, many partners from Queen’s Park and around the world have come together to start this church.
Redeemer is now taking on new forms as the core team continues to grow. Local partnerships are taking root and plans for the future are coming together. We continue to partner with individuals, families, churches, and networks to grow our new Church community in North West London.
Jesus has changed everything for us and we are on a mission to share His life-changing love with the world. We believe that we can do far more together than we could ever do on our own. We are looking to grow our team in the years ahead.
Our vision is to become a movement of people believing in Jesus, living in community, and starting new churches in North West London.
Will you join us?
We are led by a small team at the moment and look forward to expanding our leadership in the years ahead.
Our Elders
Thomas West
Pastor
Thomas and Elizabeth lived in the United States for most of their lives. Born in Alabama, the Wests spent the last 10 years in North Carolina for Thomas to pursue graduate studies and work with churches. The Wests have two children; Perry Elizabeth and Shepherd. Thomas has served as the college pastor for Raleigh’s Providence Church for seven years and holds a Masters and Doctor of Philosophy from Southeastern Seminary.
Thomas was awarded the PhD for his research on the British missionary and theologian: Lesslie Newbigin and has conducted extensive research in issues related to Gospel and Culture, Secularism, and digital culture.
Get to know the West family…
www.thomaswest.uk
www.TheWestLondonLife.com
@TheWestLondonLife.com
Luiz Lopes
Children’s Discipleship
Luiz is originally from Brazil, but has lived in London for over a decade now. He leads Redeemer’s children’s ministry, and loves the impact he can have on young lives. He and his wife Cristiana have a baby daughter named Laura.
Luiz also serves with another local church, and is an elder for Redeemer.
David Brown
Elder
David and Ashley moved to London in 2019 from the USA to start a business and help plant a new local church. As an Elder, David serves the church in a variety of ways and has a desire to see the local church following Jesus at work and in their everyday lives.
David, Ashley, and their three children live in Queen’s Park.
Our Staff
Ashlyn Portero
Director of groups and partnerships
Ashlyn lived in Tallahassee, Florida for 15 years before moving to London in March 2021. After graduating from Florida State University, she worked with a local church plant, City Church, as the Executive Director. Ashlyn helps in discipleship training and directing church partners for Redeemer.
In addition to Redeemer, Ashlyn serves as the Director of Operations for the Alliance of Transatlantic Theological Training in the United Kingdom.
Gilbert Virgo
Music and Worship
Gil and his wife Lucy were both born and raised in London. Gil is currently studying Theology at Union School of Theology in Wales. He serves as the worship leader for Redeemer, and loves focusing people’s hearts on the Lord through song.
Seth Campbell
Executive Assistant/ Mobile Church
Seth and Megan spent six years in Fayetteville, Arkansas before moving to London in August of 2021. Seth is an executive assistant to Thomas, leads the coordination of mobile church, and is currently studying theology at Southeastern Theological Seminary. They particularly have a heart for reaching university students in London.
Teddy Virgo
Creative Media
Theodore has lived his entire life in East London. He is the brother of Gil, and both have been involved in church planting for over a decade. Theodore leads Redeemer’s creative strategy. If you’ve seen a post or video on social media it has likely come from him.
You can check out his work here: @redeemerqp
David Morgan
Young Adult Discipleship
David lived in North Carolina before moving to London for two years with the International Mission Board. His time in London so impacted him that after a year in the States he is back at Redeemer to lead the young adult ministry.