Steve and Jo Bishop
YWAM Holmsted Manor Location Leaders
Steve and Jo have been leading the work at Holmsted Manor since September 2012. Before they were married, Jo was a PE teacher at a girl’s school and Steve was a bricklayer (which explains the industrial quantities of tea he consumes). Both were involved with youth work and it was their involvement in that which led them to train at All Nations Christian College in the mid 90’s. This time at All Nations started a chain of events that led them to join Youth With A Mission, starting with a DTS in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1999. After eight years in Buenos Aires they returned to the UK to join the team at Harpenden for a number of years, before taking up the opportunity to take on the leadership here at Holmsted Manor.
Steve & Jo speak Spanish fluently and have three grown-up daughters. Jo is the strategic thinker: she’s always got a list to hand, whilst also being very pastoral. Steve is less organised but loves to challenge the status-quo. He’s a networker and enjoys opportunities to speak to anyone who’ll listen. Both Steve & Jo have a history of developing teams and growing leaders and they genuinely love what they do!
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Esther (UK)
Esther did her DTS in Biarritz, France in 2019, and officially joined the team at Holmsted Manor in 2021. Completely bilingual, she spent most of her early years in Argentina and so has developed a love for great food and spending quality time with people. She loves surfing, creativity and has a gift for making others feel seen and at home. We love her heart to both work hard and play hard!Esther (UK)
Esther did her DTS in Biarritz, France in 2019, and officially joined the team at Holmsted Manor in 2021. Completely bilingual, she spent most of her early years in Argentina and so has developed a love for great food and spending quality time with people. She loves surfing, creativity and has a gift for making others feel seen and at home. We love her heart to both work hard and play hard! -
Lucy (UK)
In 2001, Lucy completed her DTS and has been involved with YWAM ever since, living in South Africa and Uganda before returning to the UK. In 2013, Lucy joined the team at Holmsted Manor, and has been involved in all sorts of areas of work and life in our community. In 2018, she began pioneering YWAM ministry in Thanet, on the south-east coast of England.Lucy (UK)
In 2001, Lucy completed her DTS and has been involved with YWAM ever since, living in South Africa and Uganda before returning to the UK. In 2013, Lucy joined the team at Holmsted Manor, and has been involved in all sorts of areas of work and life in our community. In 2018, she began pioneering YWAM ministry in Thanet, on the south-east coast of England. -
Raphael & Jess (Germany & UK)
After meeting at Holmsted Manor, Jess and Raph got married here in 2019 (their wedding reception was in the dining room!). After finishing school, Jess did her DTS here and joined the team in 2014. She carries a real passion for working with those on the margins of society, doing regular work with the homeless and vulnerable communities in Brighton. A creative type, Jess also heads up our Communications team. Raph did his DTS back in 2008, leaving his job as a builder to start a journey with YWAM that took him from England to Argentina, Brazil, Switzerland, the USA and back to the UK again! A “full of life” character, Raph will often be found encouraging young leaders to step out into their potential! He loves watching VfB Stuttgart playing football almost as much as he enjoys playing guitar and leading worship.Raphael & Jess (Germany & UK)
After meeting at Holmsted Manor, Jess and Raph got married here in 2019 (their wedding reception was in the dining room!). After finishing school, Jess did her DTS here and joined the team in 2014. She carries a real passion for working with those on the margins of society, doing regular work with the homeless and vulnerable communities in Brighton. A creative type, Jess also heads up our Communications team. Raph did his DTS back in 2008, leaving his job as a builder to start a journey with YWAM that took him from England to Argentina, Brazil, Switzerland, the USA and back to the UK again! A “full of life” character, Raph will often be found encouraging young leaders to step out into their potential! He loves watching VfB Stuttgart playing football almost as much as he enjoys playing guitar and leading worship. -
Daniel and Tamara Jackson (USA)
Daniel and Tamara met whilst working on a YWAM sailing ship, ‘The Next Wave’. They have both travelled extensively throughout Europe while living on board, and can usually find a nautical metaphor to apply to any situation! After all that seafaring, they arrived at Holmsted Manor in 2014. Both are ‘foodies’, which makes them the perfect people to manage the charity ‘Crossover’, run from Holmsted Manor, which provides breakfast to the street community. They have a shared love of coffee, all things organic and are both usually reading something pretty interesting. In 2019, they welcomed their daughter into the family.Daniel and Tamara Jackson (USA)
Daniel and Tamara met whilst working on a YWAM sailing ship, ‘The Next Wave’. They have both travelled extensively throughout Europe while living on board, and can usually find a nautical metaphor to apply to any situation! After all that seafaring, they arrived at Holmsted Manor in 2014. Both are ‘foodies’, which makes them the perfect people to manage the charity ‘Crossover’, run from Holmsted Manor, which provides breakfast to the street community. They have a shared love of coffee, all things organic and are both usually reading something pretty interesting. In 2019, they welcomed their daughter into the family. -
Franziska Stilz (Germany)
Franzi did her DTS in 2017 and returned a year later as staff. A lover of fun, she’s always up for an adventure, especially if it involves baked goods (she’s a pastry chef by trade). A lover of language, Franzi loves learning herself and teaching others! She keeps busy as she serves the community in all sorts of ways including hospitality, cooking, maintenance and DTS!Franziska Stilz (Germany)
Franzi did her DTS in 2017 and returned a year later as staff. A lover of fun, she’s always up for an adventure, especially if it involves baked goods (she’s a pastry chef by trade). A lover of language, Franzi loves learning herself and teaching others! She keeps busy as she serves the community in all sorts of ways including hospitality, cooking, maintenance and DTS! -
Daniel (UK)
This is Daniel, who's originally from the UK, but spent almost half of his life in Bolivia! He is 'fluent-ish' in Spanish (his words!), and enjoys all types of sports and music, the more eclectic the better! A dynamic addition to the community, he is sociable, loves meeting new people and if you ever have the opportunity to meet him, ask him about the three cows he owns!Daniel (UK)
This is Daniel, who's originally from the UK, but spent almost half of his life in Bolivia! He is 'fluent-ish' in Spanish (his words!), and enjoys all types of sports and music, the more eclectic the better! A dynamic addition to the community, he is sociable, loves meeting new people and if you ever have the opportunity to meet him, ask him about the three cows he owns! -
Caleb (UK)
Meet Caleb! We are so excited to have him joining our staff team! His love for fun, games and practical jokes brings so much laughter to our community. He enjoys water sports, all things outdoors and is seriously committed to making good steaks!Caleb (UK)
Meet Caleb! We are so excited to have him joining our staff team! His love for fun, games and practical jokes brings so much laughter to our community. He enjoys water sports, all things outdoors and is seriously committed to making good steaks! -
Kim S (USA)
Kim studied history at university, before changing locations and completing DTS at Holmsted Manor in September 2015. She’s been an integral part of the team here since August 2016. Gifted in the area of textiles, Kim has a creative flair that is expressed in all areas of her work! With her eye for detail and planning, Kim helps make sure things happen well!Kim S (USA)
Kim studied history at university, before changing locations and completing DTS at Holmsted Manor in September 2015. She’s been an integral part of the team here since August 2016. Gifted in the area of textiles, Kim has a creative flair that is expressed in all areas of her work! With her eye for detail and planning, Kim helps make sure things happen well! -
Christy and Phil Summerton (USA & UK)
Since meeting at YWAM Harpenden, Christy and Phil have had many adventures together! A fine artist with an interest in ceramics and design, Christy discovered YWAM at a creative DTS in Norway in 2006. She now leads the creative ministry ‘MAKE’ here, and loves to teach and encourage artists in their giftings. A marine biologist and trained diver, Phil swapped the Seychelles for YWAM England in 2010. They have two wonderful children, and have a passion as a family for the city of Brighton.Christy and Phil Summerton (USA & UK)
Since meeting at YWAM Harpenden, Christy and Phil have had many adventures together! A fine artist with an interest in ceramics and design, Christy discovered YWAM at a creative DTS in Norway in 2006. She now leads the creative ministry ‘MAKE’ here, and loves to teach and encourage artists in their giftings. A marine biologist and trained diver, Phil swapped the Seychelles for YWAM England in 2010. They have two wonderful children, and have a passion as a family for the city of Brighton. -
Bart & Anja (USA & Switzerland)
Originally from Tennessee, Bart arrived in Europe to do his Discipleship Training School on board the sailing vessel ‘The Next Wave’ in September 2013. Since then, Bart has served in a number of different European locations with the boat before settling here at Holmsted Manor in February 2017. A quiet, reflective man with an interest in the nations, who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty and with a mild obsession with hot sauce, Bart is a great part of the team. Anja did her DTS here at Holmsted Manor in January 2017 before has deciding to leave Switzerland behind to bring her love of nature to West Sussex! Gifted in the areas of discipleship and administration, Anja is a great team player who loves living in community. A true Swiss person, she has a deep love for good cheese and chocolate.Bart & Anja (USA & Switzerland)
Originally from Tennessee, Bart arrived in Europe to do his Discipleship Training School on board the sailing vessel ‘The Next Wave’ in September 2013. Since then, Bart has served in a number of different European locations with the boat before settling here at Holmsted Manor in February 2017. A quiet, reflective man with an interest in the nations, who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty and with a mild obsession with hot sauce, Bart is a great part of the team. Anja did her DTS here at Holmsted Manor in January 2017 before has deciding to leave Switzerland behind to bring her love of nature to West Sussex! Gifted in the areas of discipleship and administration, Anja is a great team player who loves living in community. A true Swiss person, she has a deep love for good cheese and chocolate. -
Avery Wiseman (USA)
Originally from ‘the valley’ in Los Angeles, Avery swapped sunny California for the English countryside when she came to do her DTS in 2017. After some time at home, she returned to join the team full-time in 2019, bringing with her her trademark enthusiasm! Like any true LA-er, she loves films, coffee and being with people.Avery Wiseman (USA)
Originally from ‘the valley’ in Los Angeles, Avery swapped sunny California for the English countryside when she came to do her DTS in 2017. After some time at home, she returned to join the team full-time in 2019, bringing with her her trademark enthusiasm! Like any true LA-er, she loves films, coffee and being with people. -
Yanil and Simon Wolfe (Argentina and UK)
Leaving the world of financial services and being an estate agent, Simon headed off to Argentina in 2008 where he completed his DTS in Mendoza. Here, he met the gorgeous Yanil and they soon married! Since joining Holmsted in 2015, they have blessed our community with a willingness to get stuck into everything, even with two small children in tow! They love working with people and bring enthusiasm and passion to whatever they do. We sent them with our love and support and they are now in the process of pioneering a new YWAM location in Harare, Zimbabwe!Yanil and Simon Wolfe (Argentina and UK)
Leaving the world of financial services and being an estate agent, Simon headed off to Argentina in 2008 where he completed his DTS in Mendoza. Here, he met the gorgeous Yanil and they soon married! Since joining Holmsted in 2015, they have blessed our community with a willingness to get stuck into everything, even with two small children in tow! They love working with people and bring enthusiasm and passion to whatever they do. We sent them with our love and support and they are now in the process of pioneering a new YWAM location in Harare, Zimbabwe!
