The Revd John Lee will be responsible for day-to-day oversight of the work of building New Worshipping Communities focused on 20s-40s, and will lead a team of 14 full-time 20s – 40s Ministers, placed strategically across the Diocese of York.

John Lee (pictured right) has been Rector of St Paul's, Holgate Rd, York since 2002 and in 2018 took on additional oversight of St Barnabas, Leeman Road, and became Area Dean of York - in effect the convenor of all the Church of England clergy in the City of York.

John began his working life in the pensions industry but spent a couple of years in youth work and ministry to the homeless in Bristol and Leeds before training for ordination. He is married to Nicola who is an artist and they have three grown up daughters.

Ordained in 1990, he served as Curate in Norbiton (south London) and then Leicester before coming to York. He is currently Chair of One Voice York, an umbrella organisation of churches in York who cooperate together in prayer and mission.

Archdeacon Andy Broom leads development of the 20s-40s initiative in the Diocese of York: “I'm very encouraged by John Lee's appointment - he brings the experience of leading a church which has effectively reached and discipled those in this age range and he also has an impressive track record in growing and developing young leaders.”

John Lee said, “I’ve always believed that ministry is fundamentally an adventure and this new role certainly fits that description. It will be a wrench to leave St Paul’s but I’m looking forward to working with the excellent team that’s beginning to form to address this great challenge.”

John will take up his new post in January 2019.