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 charity leads, Mike and Jen, are experienced teachers, trainers and school ministry workers.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Rachel Fasham

    TRUSTEE

    Rachel is the youth and children’s development worker at St Francis Church, Bournville. She is passionate about reaching children with the Gospel, and excited to be a Trustee of Birmingham Schools Connection to support Mike and Jen as they aim to help churches link with their local schools.

  • Rev. Rachel Heathfield

    TRUSTEE

    Rachel is an Anglican minister based in Quinton, Birmingham and is passionate about supporting children, young people, and families. As a trustee of Birmingham School Connection, she enjoys helping schools and communities work together to create opportunities for young people to thrive.

  • 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.