Dictionary

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Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Evangelism

‘Evangelion’ means ‘good news’. Evangelism is about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection in the hope that others may come to believe in and follow Jesus.

Home News Mandy to take up key new role with the Church in Wales

Mandy to take up key new role with the Church in Wales

Diocesan news Posted: 1 August 2023

The diocese's Director for Mission and Evangelism Mandy Bayton is to take up a key new role in the Church in Wales.

Mandy has been appointed as Director of Evangelism and will be responsible for resourcing churches to reach out with the good news of the Gospel to the communities they serve. She will also support the work of the Church Growth Fund, liaise with the Evangelism Fund projects and assist Bishop John Lomas, the lead bishop for evangelism. Working as part of the Mission and Ministry Advisors’ Group, Mandy will report to the Chief Executive, Simon Lloyd.

Mandy joins the team at the Provincial Office with more than 30 years’ experience in church growth and outreach. In her three years at the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, she developed the diocese’s bid to the Evangelism Fund. Prior to that, she worked for the Cinnamon Network as advisor for Wales and for Hope Together UK as Director for Wales.

Announcing her appointment, Simon Lloyd said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Mandy Bayton to the team as Director of Evangelism. The Church is called to share the good news of the Gospel and Mandy’s wide experience will help the whole Province to be well supported and resourced as we seek to do this.”

Mandy, who lives in North Gower, said: “I am delighted to be offered the role of Director of Evangelism because my heart soars when I play a small part in helping others discover the transforming love of Jesus. I hope to draw on my experience of working for churches and Christian organisations to encourage the amazing outreach already happening across the province, and also to nurture a re-imagining of mission so that everything we do as the Church is seen through a missional lens.”

Bishop John said: "It is with some sadness we say goodbye to Mandy as our Officer for Mission and Evangelism, but we as a diocese can only be full of joy and congratulations for her at the news of her appointment to a new and exciting role for the Province as Director of Evangelism.

"Mandy has been a stalwart and constant companion to us over these past few years, not least in this our 100th year, and, of course, as we have transitioned to ministry areas and sought to strengthen both tried-and-tested ways and new ways to bring the good news of Jesus to the people of Swansea and Brecon. Her energy and commitment will be sorely missed, but we know that this move will be to the benefit of the Province as a whole and that, as such, she will still have a part to play in the future of Swansea and Brecon."

Mandy starts her new role on October 1.