About

John Stephenson

Pioneer and visionary.

Passionate about people meeting Jesus and the transformation that brings.

I have been involved in Youth work for over 40 years as a secondary school teacher, CU group leader, Schools Worker, Trainer, Volunteer Youth Group leader (19 years continuous service), residential leader and organiser. After 30 years on the Scripture Union staff I left to start a new organisation with my wife Lena – reNEw NE – which is committed to ‘Mission with Children and Young People’. In April 2019 I began to work for the URC Northern Synod as their ‘Youth Work Adviser’

In all this I am committed to both teaching the Bible and relational ministry with a passion to connect with young people outside the church.

I love music: playing and listening, reading: all sorts of books. My favourite place in the UK is Keswick but I love living near the sea.

I have three grown up children, live in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and married Lena who is originally from Kyiv in Ukraine in December 2017.

In July 2020, Lena gave birth to our son, Christopher Joshua – a wonderful example of God’s grace to us.