Our church is led by our Leadership Team. Together with some members of the Practical Services Group they serve as the trustees of the church. We also employ a staff team who are available to answer any questions you may have. Scroll down to find out more about our church leaders.
Leadership Team
The Leadership Team oversees the teaching, fellowship, evangelism and pastoral care of the church. Richard (our Senior Minister) and Rich (Assistant Minister) are employed by the church as full-time members of staff, with the other members of the Leadership Team serving as volunteers. The current serving members of our Leadership Team are:
Rich Adam Assistant Minister
Rich has responsibility for 101 things, including church Growth Groups.
He lives with his wife Gemma, their two children and his hamster, and enjoys reading, running and trying to make plants grow.
Martin Cornforth
Martin has served on Leadership Team since 2024. He likes football, listening to music, reading and spending time with his wife and 4 children.
Brian Davies
Brian is currently the acting Chair of Trustees.
He is a local surgeon. He likes to spend his free time outside: camping, cycling or sailing.
Richard Hopkins Senior Minister
Richard leads the staff and chairs the Leadership team.
When he’s not watching rugby and cricket, Richard enjoys spending time with his family talking about rugby and cricket.
Kingsley Iyoha
Kingsley has attended Emmanuel Church since 2010 and joined the leadership team in 2025. Outside of his work as a pharmaceutical development scientist, he enjoys watching football, listening to theological podcasts, and spending time with his family. Contact Kingsley here.
Paul Jenkins
Paul has served on Leadership Team since 2021, with a short break in 2024. He’s married to Abi and has three boys. When he is not teaching French 3 days a week, he’s either studying for a Masters in Christian Ministry or talking about Ipswich town football club, who disappointingly don’t win very often. Contact Paul here.
Other Staff Team
The Staff Team are employed by the church to manage the day to day running of church activities. Working alongside Rich Adam and Richard Hopkins are:
Toni Davies Women’s Discipleship Minister
Toni’s focus is the growth, support and pastoral care of the women of Emmanuel church.
Her go-to activities to unwind are open water swimming, jigsaws, board games with family and friends and her cat Fudge.
Helen Hawley Youth and Children’s Co-ordinator
Helen oversees our ministry for 0–18-year-olds.
You’ll find Helen in the company of friends, walking with her husband and dog, or eating ice cream (the stranger the flavour the better!)
Jess Cobbett Church Administrator
Jess supports the staff team with admin tasks.
She is married to Alec, and bakes an amazing apple crumble cake, much to the enjoyment of her friends. Contact Jess here.
Managing Trustees
The Managing Trustees are made up of all members of the Leadership Team as well as others who have specific responsibility for practical matters relating to the running of the church. As well as the Leadership Team, current members of the Managing Trustees are:
Ruth Attwood
Ruth has responsibility as employment lead to oversee support for church staff. She has been a member of Emmanuel since 2022. Ruth enjoys family time, playing tennis, meeting with international students and occasionally escaping to the Isle of Arran. Contact Ruth here.
Phil Carter
Phil leads the group responsible for practical matters relating to the running of the church.
He’s very much an outdoors type of person and has a keen interest in wildlife. He’s married to Lynda and has twin grandsons who he never tires telling other people about.
Alec Cobbett
Alec is the church treasurer and is responsible for the financial matters of the church.
He’s married to Jess, who competes for his love with Nottingham Forest and cricket.
Natasha Schneider
Natasha is responsible for all matters relating to Health and Safety.
She’s married with 2 children and loves holidays with her family in the caravan and meeting friends for cake.
