Roy Patton
Gary McDowell
Ben Walker
Ivan Steen
David Thompson
Helen Brown
Rev Roy Patton BA, BD
Born in Co Monaghan, Roy grew up within the Presbyterian Church. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin where he studied History, Philosophy and New Testament Studies, New College Edinburgh and Union Theological College, Belfast. He served as assistant minister in St Enoch's congregation in Belfast.
Ordained in 1981, Roy was installed as minister in Ballygilbert in 1994 having previously served as minister in Downshire Road, Newry. He has served on several General Assembly Boards and is at present Convenor of the Board of Mission in Ireland.
Roy is married to Daphne, a teacher by profession, and together they work very much as a team. He enjoys travel, reading and following sport, especially football and rugby.
Gary McDowell
Gary, from Belfast, started his working life in the family motor business. However, the Lord had other ideas and in the fullness of time he went to do some study at Bible College and so started an exciting journey that was to eventually lead him to Ballygilbert.
Gary has been with Ballygilbert since 1996. Previously he was Musical Director at Ballyhenry Presbyterian Church. Music plays a major part in Gary's ministry; he leads worship at various Christian events and he also writes and performs his own songs and to date has recorded four albums.
Gary's heart is to see people of all ages encountering the Living God. His work within Ballygilbert is specifically aimed at young people and young families. His pastoral role touches many areas of church life but in each area he seeks to encourage people to grow in faith and know the joy of salvation.
Oh, by the way, Gary is married to Dawn, our Lighthouse coordinator and together they have three absolutely wonderful children!
Ben Walker
Ben was born and grew up in a Christian family in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. He studied Philosophy and Theology at Oxford University where he met Ruth, who is from Belfast. They married in 2001 after Ben had spent a year working for a church in Central London.
In 2002 they moved to Northern Ireland where Ben took up further study in the Old Testament and Mission through Belfast Bible College. As well as working in education administration, Ben lectured at the Bible College and was the Research Co-ordinator for the Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland (CCCI).
In 2005, he began two years training for Presbyterian ministry at Union Theological College, and started at Ballygilbert in August 2006. Ruth and Ben have a young son, James, who dribbles for England.
Ivan Steen
David Thompson
David was born in Belfast but grew up in Holywood, attending Sullivan Upper School and graduating from Queen's University with a degree in Physics and Maths.
He spent the early part of his career working in the IT Division of Gallaher Ltd but, in more recent times, was self-employed in business consulting and training.
As Clerk of Session, he believes that the church needs to be 'missional' within its own community, to be pastorally strong to its own congregation and to be outspoken on the power and relevance of the Gospel and the work of the Spirit. He is also 'active' on the Board of Mission in Ireland.
David is married to Ann, also an Elder in Ballygilbert and a teacher in Sullivan. They have two married children who continue to keep them both young, sane and humble!
Christine McDowell
Helen Brown
Michael Rea
David Boyd