Joe and Anna Beswick
Leaders
Joe, originally from Liverpool, and Anna, from South Korea, met while serving in their previous ministry, Betel UK. Between them, they dedicated 8–9 years to Betel before moving on in 2017 so that Joe could pursue further mission training and Bible study with WEC International.
Although they initially planned to serve long-term in South Africa, they came to recognise that God was calling them to mission work in the UK. Since then, Joe and Anna have taken on the leadership of the Eden Project in Hexham, which is part of the ministries of HCC. They serve the local community by leading the Eden team, enjoy building relationships, and walking alongside people in their faith journey, with a heart to see lives transformed and people come to know Jesus.
Dale and Susanna Dawson
Leaders
Dale and Susanna have been married since 1989. They have two grown up children and three grandsons. They joined Hexham Community Church in 1996 when they moved to Hexham with Dale’s work. He then worked as a Care Manager. Following redundancy in 2014 he volunteered for HCC before being offered a part time role leading our gap year programme – Daniel Challenge. This programme ended in 2020, partly due to COVID, so Dale took on the role as Community Worker for HCC before being appointed as the Manager of our Community Grocery in March 2021. In his spare time Dale loves football – less playing these days and more watching, especially Newcastle United. He also enjoys cycling and regularly unwinds after work on a log bike ride enjoying the beautiful Northumberland countryside. Susanna has worked in childcare for many years – as a registered childminder for 16 years and then as a nanny for the last 14 for a local family. The role is now more family PA than nannying, but she still enjoys it. Susanna also helps out with childcare for their 3 grandsons. In her spare time Susanna loves swimming, reading, cooking, jigsaws and Lego. At church, as well as being an Elder, Dale helps out on the sound desk and on the welcome team. Susanna heads up the Kids and Youth Teams that run on a Sunday morning.
David and Pauline Woodhouse
Leaders
David, who is originally from Yorkshire, is a Forester, working two days a week for the Forestry Commission. When not working for the FC he can be found setting up a small business to provide aerial maps using a drone! David has been a Christian for over 25 years. Pauline grew up in Lancashire and works as an Administrator for Hexham Community Church, although she can also be found running Sunday School, cooking at Messy Church and helping with church services. Pauline has been a Christian since her early teens and has a longing to get to know God more each day through reading his word and to help others do the same. David and Pauline met in Scotland where they married in 1985. They have two grown up sons.
Brian and Jackie Steemson
Leaders
Brian and Jackie were both born on Tyneside and have lived in the Tyne Valley for most of their lives. They joined HCC in 1985 and moved to Hexham five years later. They have been married for over 35 years and have three grown-up children who all live elsewhere. Brian became a Christian in 1974 and Jackie in 1983. Brian worked as an accountant for 40 years and he now works part-time for a Christian charity. Brian served as a trustee at HCC for 25 years. Jackie is qualified as a Medical Secretary and helped to run the Cedar Tree gift and coffee shop for over 10 years before herself retiring. They both volunteer in HCC activities. They like walking in Northumberland and Galloway where they have a caravan.