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UK News

Gavin Calver announced as new CEO of the Evangelical Alliance

by Eno Adeogun

Calver will succeed general director Steve Clifford at the Christian charity, who revealed in April that he would step down later this year. 

Calver has been the EA's director of mission since 2015, and he previously spent 14 years at the charity Youth for Christ - six of which as their national director.

  

He is also chair of the Spring Harvest Planning Group, and regularly preaches and teaches in churches around the UK and beyond. 

Commenting on Calver's next career opportunity, Dr Tani Omideyi, chair of the Evangelical Alliance's board of trustees, said: "Gavin excelled throughout the interviewing process. 

"With a strong field of applicants, he impressed the board with his extensive expertise and his vision for the future, and he left us with a sense of excitement and great expectation. 

"We came out of the process feeling confident that we have found someone chosen of God for this new season. His appointment is fully endorsed by the whole board." 

Calver said he felt "privileged" to have been selected as the charity's new CEO. 

"The Evangelical Alliance has been at the heart of evangelicalism in the UK since 1846," he said. 

"This unity movement, which has a rich and prestigious heritage of gospel unity in the Church, has had a profound impact on the social fabric of the UK, and I am deeply humbled to accept the role of CEO. 

"Every week I have the opportunity to visit and share with local churches that are living out the hopeful reality of the gospel, and I am continually amazed at what the Church is doing.

  

"I am looking forward to the Evangelical Alliance developing even deeper relationships with local churches as we seek to understand and celebrate what God is doing in our communities." 

He also said he was "grateful to Steve, who has been a big influence in my life", adding that "the legacy he leaves, especially around the work of uniting ethnically diverse evangelicals, will last for years to come". 

Clifford shared his optimism over Calver building on EA's achievements. "I am delighted that Gavin is to be the next CEO of the Evangelical Alliance," he said. 

"I believe he is uniquely equipped to build on what God has been doing in and through the Evangelical Alliance during my time as general director. 

"I have so appreciated working with Gav, and I know the Evangelical Alliance is in safe hands as it steps into what God has planned for its future." 

Rev John Risbridger, chair of the EA's council, said: "Gavin has been a dedicated and prolific evangelist, faithfully preaching the gospel in churches across all four nations of the UK week in and week out. 

"He leads with integrity and an unwavering commitment to unity. I am thrilled that he will be leading the Evangelical Alliance, supporting the church as we make Jesus known throughout the UK." 

Calver is married to Anne and has two children. He is an ordained evangelist, a regular public speaker, and has authored five books. He follows in the footsteps of father Clive who led the Evangelical Alliance during the 1990s.

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