PEOPLE WE
SUPPORT
Meet a few of the individuals who are being funded by the Trust this year.
FUNDED BY THE TRUST
Ministry Apprentices
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TOM DUFFY
Tom serves as an Apprentice at Trinity Church, Aberdeen, having previously studied in Edinburgh and then gone on to do the Relay programme with UCCF: The Christian Unions. He studies at the Ministry Training Academy one day a week and spends another day a week on a research project looking at different facets of the gospel, as well as working with students and Trinity’s adult Sunday School. Tom hopes to continue working in local church ministry in the North East of Scotland after completing the Apprentice scheme.
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ERINN HAMILL
Erinn studied theology at Edinburgh University before becoming a UCCF Relay worker in St. Andrews. After Relay she stayed in St. Andrews to be a ministry Apprentice at St Andrews Free Church. She is involved in the student and toddler ministries there, whilst studying at Cornhill two days a week. Erinn hopes to serve in full-time Christian ministry in the future.
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STEPHEN PORTER
Stephen is an Apprentice at Carrubbers Christian Centre in Edinburgh, having previously worked for two years as a research scientist in the field of agrochemical science. Stephen is passionate about youth ministry and works primarily with teenagers; he is also involved in Carrubbers’ music ministry. He studies at Cornhill two days a week. After his Apprenticeship, Stephen would like to pursue youth work as a full-time career.
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SARAH WILLIAMS
After studying nursing and spending 10 months as a Relay worker with UCCF, Sarah is now a Ministry Trainee at Trinity Church Aberdeen. She currently studies at Ministry Training Academy one day a week as well as studying BCUK’s certificate course. Sarah serves in the church with the children’s and student ministries, and hopes that her training will lead her to serve the local church well in different ministries in future.
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KERR SEWELL
Kerr worked for the civil service in Glasgow and London for four years after studying Law. Having grown up in The Tron Church he moved back with his wife to Glasgow and started his ministry apprenticeship there in 2023. Kerr is involved in leading small group Bible Studies and working with young people. He also studies at Cornhill two days a week. Kerr plans to pursue further ministry training after his Apprenticeship.
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ELLA LATHAM
Ella is a Ministry Associate at Chalmers Church in Edinburgh. Before this she studied Economics at Edinburgh University. In her role she receives training at the Cornhill Training Course as well as serving within the various ministries at church. Ella predominantly works with primary aged children by helping with the children’s work on a Sunday as well as evangelistic outreach to children through a termly Saturday afternoon club and Holiday club. After finishing the Associate Programme she hopes to continue to work with children in a local church context.
FUNDED BY THE TRUST
Leaders In Training
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CHALLUM FINBOW
Challum was born and raised in the East End of Glasgow where he still lives with his wife and three children. Challum taught English in two East End schools, and is an elder in Easterhill Community Church (ECC), Tollcross, Glasgow. Challum completed the Cornhill Training Course whilst part-time teaching. He is currently in his second year of the Pastors’ Training Course with an online Masters with Union Theological College, Belfast. Challum serves ECC by preaching and teaching alongside placements in Dennistoun Baptist and Harper Memorial.
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AMY CONWAY
After two years as an Apprentice at Chalmers Church in Edinburgh, Amy worked for UCCF for three years, supporting Christian students at Edinburgh Napier and Queen Margaret Universities in their evangelism on campus. She is now a Leader in Training at Chalmers, studying with the Pastors’ Training Course at Cornhill. Amy helps to facilitate teaching, training and discipleship amongst women in the church family.
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KEITH NICHOLSON
Keith is in his first year of a Leader in Training programme with Rosskeen Free Church, Invergordon, alongside studies at ETS. Before commencing his studies at ETS Keith worked in various sectors, from leisure to retail, in the Free Church central office, and local churches in Inverness and Cardiff. Keith hopes to serve in full-time Christian ministry, and the Leader in Training programme will develop his pastoring and preaching gifts in a local context.
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DAVI DE PAULA
Davi was first supported by the Bonar Trust during his time at Chalmers Church Edinburgh as an Apprentice alongside study at Cornhill. Following two years as a student worker at Chalmers, Davi and his family moved to Burghead Free Church as a leader in training, with study at ETS. Davi is looking forward to the next step in ministry as the senior or assistant minister of a Free Church congregation.
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KATHRYN WRIGHT
Kathryn worked in research and clinical laboratories for 9 years before leaving to enrol with Highland Theological College, studying part-time towards a degree in Theology. She has been supported as a Leader in Training for the past two years in a Seniors Worker post in Central Baptist Church, Dundee. She is involved in pastoral care, training, developing a care home ministry programme, leading Bible studies and speaking at various events in church and externally. After her training Kathryn hopes to continue working in a church context equipping and encouraging others to serve.
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CALLUM CRUICKSHANK
Callum left his job in finance in 2021 to start a Ministry Apprenticeship at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh, with additional training at Cornhill Scotland. The following year he continued on to the Pastor in Training pathway which he is due to complete in 2026. He studies part-time with Crosslands. Callum hopes to remain in full-time pastoral ministry in the local church around the central belt of Scotland. The Bonar Trust has supported Callum and his young family throughout his time in ministry.
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PHIL PICKETT
Phil began his training in 2016 at St Andrews Free Church where he served first as an Apprentice and then a Minister in Training, while studying part time, first at Cornhill, and now ETS. In 2022 Phil and his family moved to Carloway Free Church on the Isle of Lewis to complete the final years of his training. These very different locations and demographics have helped Phil to experience a breadth of ministry needs and opportunities. Phil graduates from ETS this Summer and looks forward to serving a church in full time ministry after that.