Meet the Leaders
Our Story:
Hi there, we are Pete and Sarah Benest. We moved to Shepshed in 2003, shortly before the birth of our twin boys. We are now in our third home here, so it's clear God doesn't want us to leave! We have grown up twins, Nathan and Joshua, who are now at university, and Emily, our sassy 17 year old who loves being part of our pioneering adventure with Ignite Church.
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For 24 years we were leaders in an established charismatic Church congregation in Loughborough. During this time we were involved in pioneering a missional community here in Shepshed, and leading with numerous cross-denominational events across Charnwood and Leicestershire.
Over 2020-2022 we went through a season where God was shaking, uprooting and preparing us to pioneer something new and intentional to reach Charnwood and beyond. And what better placed to ignite it, than the community he's placed us in here in Shepshed!
More about Pete...
Pete has clearly had a leadership gifting on him since setting up a Christian Union his teens. Over the years since, he has been involved in many leadership roles. He has a strong pastoral gifting and was a church Elder in Loughborough for seven years before launching Ignite Church here in Shepshed. He completed a BA (hons) in Theology and Church leadership with Regents Theological College in 2023 and is now working towards full ordination with Elim on their Minister in Training (MIT) program. As if this doesn't keep him busy enough, Pete also works part-time for European Christian Missions and is on the Executive Committee for Loughborough Churches Partnership.
More about Sarah...
Sarah has been a prophetic voice into the local church for several years and loves to lead, inspire and teach the people of God. Pete and Sarah have always worked very much as a leadership couple, and as well as teaching and pastoring, Sarah is responsible for lots of the background admin stuff for Ignite. Sarah also works part time as an Occupational Therapist in Social Services, on the frontline of Adult Social Care.
Ignite Church, Shepshed is an Elim Pentecostal Church
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Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance. Registered charity 251549 (England & Wales) and SC037754 (Scotland)
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