Leadership

We are led by a team of elders who are primarily responsible for the teaching and pastoral ministry of the church.

Matt Bownds — Pastor

A head and shoulder portrait of Matt Bownds

Before working in full-time Christian ministry, Matt worked in banking and local government. He is married to Kath, and they have two children.

Email: matt@bridgechurchcardiff.org

Dave Lawther — Pastor

A head and shoulder portrait of Dave Lawther

Dave hails from Northern Ireland and joined The Bridge Church from Highfields Church in July 2020.

Email: dave@bridgechurchcardiff.org

Steffan Ellis — Elder

A head and shoulder portrait of Steffan Ellis

Steff is a primary school teacher and is married to Jen. They have two boys.

Tom Hocking — Elder

A head and shoulder portrait of Tom Hocking

Tom works as an engineer and is married to Rachel. They have three children.

Tom Roberts — Elder

A head and shoulder portrait of Tom Roberts

Originally from St Albans, I’ve lived in Cardiff since 2007, and have been part of the Bridge Church since we launched as Highfields Pontprennau in 2012. Over the past 13 years, it has been wonderful to experience God’s faithfulness in growing our church family, both numerically and spiritually.

I’m married to Sarah (we were the first “Bridge Wedding”) and we have three children. I work as an anaesthetist for the NHS.

Emyr MacDonald — Elder

A head and shoulder portrait of Emyr MacDonald

I’ve been at the Bridge Church for 7 years and at Thornhill Church for 25 years previously, where I served as an elder. I have a strong interest in helping people think through objections they may have about the Christian faith. It’s a privilege to contribute to the church as, together, we seek to reach people around us and in our community for Jesus.

I’m married to Elaine, and we have two daughters, Rachael married to Lewis, and Ffion married to Joshua. I enjoy a variety of ball sports, but I do more watching than playing now! I also have a long-standing interest in chess.

Jon Owens — Elder

A head and shoulder portrait of Jon Owens

I grew up in Cardiff, and became a Christian as a child. I lived in Surrey for many years before moving back to Wales in 2019, and I now live just outside Cardiff with my wife, 4 children and a border collie.

We love being part of the Bridge Church, and have benefitted so much from the excellent teaching, being part of a life group, and the care that has been shown to our children in Sunday School and Youth.

There is hopelessness and division in so much of society, but the church is a place where we hold out the hope of Jesus to Pontprennau, Pentwyn and the surrounding areas"

Mark Hall — Elder

A head and shoulder portrait of Mark Hall

Tom Kelly — Elder

A head and shoulder portrait of Tom Kelly

Ministry Team Leaders

Each of our ministry areas is headed up by a team leader. Please contact the church office for more information.