Elders
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Philip Haines - Minister
Philip grew up in the church and attended the Church School but it was not until his late teens that he professed faith in Jesus Christ as his Saviour. For a number of years he worked in I.T. and during those years completed a Bachelor of Divinity degree as an external student of the University of London. In 2011 he became a minister of the church and in 2017 took on the role of Director of Greystone, Cardiff. Philip is married to Julia and they have three children. Philip loves his sport, both playing and watching. Back in the day he played football for Ely Rangers and cricket for Cardiff and Pentyrch — until knee injuries intervened!
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Ron Barnett
Ron was converted as a young child in a Pentecostal church in Cardiff. He has been a member, deacon and elder in Ely Presbyterian Church (Reformed) for 51 years. He is a trained historian, to doctorate level and is currently the Head of History and English in a local, fee-paying College. He is married to Jane and they have two children and two grandchildren.
Ron gladly confesses "My heart is in this church and I pray to stay here all my days."
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Alun Swain
Alun was born into a Christian home in the South Wales valleys. He attended a local Presbyterian church, where he came to faith as a youngster. He studied History and Spanish at Aberystwyth. While studying in Spain, he met his future wife, Esperanza, at a Protestant church; they have now been married for 50 years, have five children and six grandchildren. He entered the teaching profession in 1969. From 1978, for almost 30 years he was joint headmaster and part-owner of an independent school in Penarth.
He joined the church in 1974, was a deacon from 1977-1993 and became an elder in 1993. It remains a joy and privilege to serve God's church at Ely and to be surrounded by brethren who, by the Spirit's work in them love the Lord God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
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Adrian Williams
Adrian is originally from Pontypridd but moved to Cardiff at the age of 12, where he received a Christian upbringing. Adrian went to the Church School until the age of 16, completing his A levels at St Cyres Comprehensive School and studying archaeology at Cardiff University. Adrian worked for the Home Office 30 years and now works in the Charitable Sector; he has been married to his wife Emma since 2003 - they have six children together. Adrian serves as an Elder, the Chairman of the Charities Committee and as Deputy Sunday School Superintendent.
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John McCabe
John loves to share the good news about Jesus Christ - with anyone who will listen! He’s been privileged to preach here in Ely, the church he grew up in, and further afield. He teaches the Bible to teenagers at Friday night Youth Group and to elderly folk at a regular Bible study / prayer time in Regency House Care Home. He is passionate about ministering the hope of the Gospel to men in His Majesty’s Prison, Cardiff. John is training for full time pastoral ministry in Union School of Theology, Bryntirion. He is married to Gillian, a physiotherapist, and enjoys woodwork, painting and paddle boarding - Welsh weather allowing!
Deacons
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Justin Williams
Justin was born in South Africa before moving home to Gelli in the Rhondda in 1980, where he attended the local Presbyterian church. He moved to Cardiff in 1988 to attend the church school where he received a solid Christian Education and has remained in the church ever since.
Justin came to faith in his early adult years becoming a church member in 2002 and later a deacon in 2007. Justin considers it a privilege and honour to serve the Lord with his fellow officers and members in this corner of His vineyard. He is married to Loren since 2009 and they have two children together. He works as a firefighter for South Wales Fire & Rescue service. He enjoys watching and playing various sports particularly football.
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Paul Edwards
Paul first came to the church in 1999 and joined in membership in 2004. As a member he assisted the Diaconate for a number of years before becoming a probationer deacon in 2011 and was ordained as a deacon June 2013. Paul currently serves the Sunday School as both a teacher and Deputy Superintendent. Paul testifies: “I consider it an immense privilege to be able to serve the Lord and His people as a Deacon in this local church. I thank God for the warm welcome that I received when I first came to Ely Presbyterian Church (Reformed) in June 1999 and the love and encouragement I have received since. I am grateful that I am in a church that has always placed a high value on the word of God and the understanding of it through the preached word.”
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Gareth Williams
Originally from West Wales, Gareth became a Christian at an early age. He was raised in a Christian home and attended a Pentecostal church in Llanelli. He served there as a deacon for 14 years before becoming an elder and then leading elder for 10 years, until the church closed in 2008.
Gareth started attending Ely in 2009 when he met Sara. He became a church member in 2010 and later that year married Sara and moved to Cardiff to settle in Ely. He works as an IT Manager for the civil service.
Gareth sees serving God, His Church and the saints at Ely as an honour and a privilege. He also serves the Sunday School as Superintendent.