Here to Serve
Michael Saffery
Elder and Pastor
Mike Saffery grew up in Birmingham, going to school at Malvern College, before going on to study drama at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama. Whilst there he met three born again Christians who led him to Christ in 1987.
After working for a while in theatre Mike became involved in leading a discipleship programme in Birmingham, as well as using his drama skills as a means of communicating the gospel, and training churches and ministries in its use.
In 1992 Mike and Elizabeth moved to Yatton, near the city of Bristol. Mike continued ministering through drama and worked alongside evangelist Jonathan Conrathe across the UK and in Eastern Europe. He has ministered in schools, colleges and prisons as well as in churches and on the streets.
In 2015 Mike was asked to become Elder and co-pastor of a small house church in Clevedon. In January 2016 he became lead pastor of the church, which is now called Church of the True Vine.
Mike is an ordained minister of International Gospel Outreach.
Elizabeth Saffery
Co-Pastor
Elizabeth became a Christian aged 11 after listening to a man preaching on Clevedon seafront. As a result evangelism has always been an integral part of her Christian life. She went on her first mission trip to France with Operation Mobilisation whilst studying French at university. She has worked professionally as a primary school teacher and a nurse, which has led to involvement with children’s work and with reaching out to the elderly. She is also the Safeguarding Lead for the church.
Elizabeth is a musician and loves to worship the Lord both in music and dance. With the three children now grown up Elizabeth has been able to accompany Mike on mission trips in the UK and overseas.
Paul Elliot
Elder
Paul’s life is built on the truth that Jesus is Saviour, Healer, Baptiser in the Holy Ghost and is coming back to reign. He received Jesus and was water baptised in his early years and received the wonderful blessing of baptism in the Holy Spirit as a teenager. With his wife, Julia, Paul has always sought to follow a life style adhering to the principles of truth and righteousness as guided by the Holy Spirit.
They came to live in Clevedon in 2012 and found the Church of the True Vine in 2017 where (in Paul’s own words) “we found blessing, good fellowship, inspiration from sound doctrine and an atmosphere of encouragement in the things of God.”
Sue Andrews
Treasurer
Sue has been treasurer of Church of the True Vine and has served as a deacon since the church began.
Sue met Jesus when she was nine years old. She can testify that He has been faithful every day. She has lived her life in the light of the scripture, "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much." (Luke 7:47 NKJV)
