We help churches develop flourishing relationships with local schools.
Meet the Team
Birmingham School Connection is a Christian charity which helps churches develop flourishing relationships with local schools.
Our coaches Mike and Jen, are experienced teachers, trainers and school ministry workers.
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Mike Down
FOUNDER
Mike loves exploring how ideas and people connect, and is excited by expressions of growth and development. He is passionate about equipping the local church to bring positive transformation to communities. Through growing flourishing relationships with local schools, he believes churches can share the love of God with creativity and confidence. He is a primary school teacher with many years experience and has previously worked with churches and schools in a schools’ project role for the Church of England Birmingham Diocese.
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Jen Christie
PROJECT WORKER
Jen is passionate about helping schools create healthy cultures for staff and pupils in order for children to learn in environments that help them to thrive as individuals. She longs to see churches as places where all are welcome, find a place of belonging and are shown and know the love of God in practical, helpful and relevant ways. Jen is a teacher, a Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer. She heads up the prayer ministry at her local church and loves finding creative ways for individuals to engage with God.
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Oli Huggins
TRUSTEE
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Rev. Rachel Heathfield
TRUSTEE
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Ben Collins
TRUSTEE - TREASURER
Ben is married with two boys and works as an accountant with a firm in Birmingham. Having benefited from a school with strong links to its local church when growing up, he understands the importance of engagement and discussion with school age children, particularly in an increasingly secular and disconnected society. He is excited about how Birmingham Schools Connection can meet this need supporting both schools and churches.