Our Minister

Rev. Andrew Mann-Ray is the minister of the Cartway Church and Madeley, Broseley and Much Wenlock Methodist Churches. He is originally from Frinton-on-Sea in Essex, and moved into the West Midlands when he began training for ministry four years ago (2004).

He is ordained as a United Reformed Church minister, but his commitment to and understanding of ecumenism enables him to be passionate about trying to bring churches closer together so that God’s kingdom can be realised in the local community. He says that this commitment to ecumenism stems from his attendance at and membership of his family church which was a United Reformed and Methodist LEP in Walton-on-the-Naze. This church gave him insight into how different denominations can work together and his passion for ecumenism has grown and deepened over the years as a result.

Andrew entered training for the ministry at Queen’s College, Birmingham, with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from the University of Durham. This enabled him to pursue his studies and as a result he was able to complete a Master’s degree in Applied Theology with particular emphasis in ecumenism.

Between completing his Batchelor’s degree and beginning training for the ministry, Andrew worked in a care home as a carer with people with severe learning disabilities. He also worked with young people at the United Reformed Church’s National Youth Centre in Yardley Hastings. “Both these jobs were life transforming events”, he says, “And I don’t think I would be a minister today without them”.

Andrew is passionate about football and enjoys watching a good game. He, however, does not follow a particular team, unless it’s England! Andrew also enjoys watching and playing pool and snooker, reading, particularly history books and walking in the countryside.

Andrew is 28 years old and is married to Helen. Helen was born and grew up in Wolverhampton. She is a Local Preacher in the Methodist Church and a Theology student at Queen’s College, where they met.

Andrew wants his ministry to people-centred and God-focussed. He is passionate to encourage Christian Education both for new Christians and more mature ones because he wants to enable people to explore further their own relationship with God and with others.

“I want to be a good pastor to people”, he says, “And I want to encourage and enable people to discover their own gifts from God. I believe that if we are to catch God’s vision in Bridgnorth and the local area, we need to work together with our eyes and hearts open to God’s calling on our church”.