TEAM AWARDS NOMINEES 2025
OUR HEART
Our work at Green Pastures only flourishes when we work together as a team. Over the past year we’ve faced challenges, overcome obstacles and moved forward in faith together to help love and support those Residents, Partners and Investors whom we get to serve.
This year, one of our areas of team focus has been to build chemistry; cultivating trust and rapport. Every day, throughout the year, we can point to examples of this in each of you living out our values and culture through your work and interactions with those around you. We are privileged to be part of such an amazing, dedicated, and compassionate team who share our heart’s desire to see lives changed and hearts transformed.
The team awards are a chance to celebrate our team, especially those team members who have stood out this year for going above and beyond. We asked you who you wanted to nominate, and we are delighted to see the genuine love with which the words have been written for 52 people this year! Some people’s nominations in this booklet are made up of multiple people’s nomination comments.
Thank you for all that you do in your role at Green Pastures, and everything you bring to the team.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.
John 13:34-35
THE SERVING AWARD
Someone who embodies our value of Serving Jesus First: Building and extending trust; demonstrating a servant heart; showing great diligence and character.
Jonny Birch
Jonny will always strive for the best outcome for the individual. He will always go the extra mile in serving their needs, encouraging and lifting them up, as did Jesus. He is an absolute joy to work with and inspires me frequently.
Rob Wery
I don’t know Rob well but I do know he’s been an essential and diligent part of growing the ministry in the North West. His testimony and care for residents is highly valuable and really encapsulates who we are and what we do. The number of lives he and his team touches each week is outstanding. Rob is consistent in all areas of work and supporting tenants. In exceptional times Rob always goes above and beyond in showing care and value for both those he works with and tenants right across the various housing projects. Rob is absolutely amazing. You can ring him with any challenge you’re facing and he always seems to know what to do and how best to help. Despite being busy with GP Flintshire he always has time to support us and our tenants in Merseyside too. Am very thankful for such an amazing colleague.
Daniel Wright
Daniel was a student, then an intern, now part-time staff. His service has been exemplary and he serves selflessly and sacrificially.
Vanessa Lane
Without seeking any attention or praise, quietly and efficiently works diligently to ultimately give our residents the best chance of success. Vanessa has shown great diligence in the last year, taking ownership of new things in her role and showing continued perseverance. She cares about getting the best outcomes for Green Pastures.
Jess McCready
Jess always is willing to help and she has an amazing can do attitude, she makes my job so so much easier, Thank you Jess. I work with Pastor Pete on all his visits to Partners, Churches, Politicians, Leaders, Conferences this would not run as smoothly without a huge input from Jess she sorts out trains and hotels, ensuring they are in the right place with the right facilities, she dies this so willingly within her already busy schedule. She will also give help on many other queries needed for our work. She’s a blessing.
Nicole Hirst
Nicole sought us out as an organisation to work for as she was so impacted by our conference in 2024. Despite already having a lot on her plate professionally, Nicole has volunteered remotely with the admin team for two days a week for the last few months. She is picking up property and tenancy management skills brilliantly and loves what GP stands for so much that she will take on a permanent 3 day a week position soon! Star!!
Gill Kelly
Outstanding. Models the servant heart of Christ in all she does. We simply cannot do without Gill at Mattersey Hall. She serves and serves and serves and serves. She is multi-talented and also multi-dedicated. She will take on any task set before her, with enthusiasm and energy. She is just as comfortable encouraging a student, or arranging help for their needs, as she is cleaning, painting, tidying, or worshipping the Lord. I wonder if anyone works harder than her on our campus! She thoroughly deserves GP recognition at the awards this year. Gill is always on the go and is always ready to give a helping hand wherever needed. The students at Mattersey respect her grounded servant nature and this is visible through the relationships she has built through serving.
Dan Feeny
Dan is a Godly man and just loves moving GP forward. Consistently, Dan shows his servant heart, in every encounter and piece of work he does. He shows his competence and trustworthiness by always finishing all he does to the highest standards and with a smile on his face. Dan builds trust by his reliability and team player attitude that extends out to all. He’s a pleasure to work with. Dan demonstrates in his role such servant heartedness - he’s constantly seeking to help us improve and change the way we do things and does this with such grace.
Christa Macnaughton
Christa has the ability & special gifting to build positive relationships with those she meets. She has a true “servant’s heart” always seeking to shine for Jesus to those around her, sow life, prophetic hope & love into their lives & seeking to build trust, even in the most difficult of situations & challenges faced in the past year. Christa is a valued member of the Team ...always seeking to serve & successfully speak the truth of love into all situations...
Andy Moore
I feel like I could have chosen any of the team members from any of our GP Direct projects! So, I selected Andy because I always hear great things about how he works and serves, even though I don’t see it day-to-day. One thing that stands out for me with our GP Direct teams is that when we all take a break over Christmas and get back into the office in the New Year with our well-wishes and questions as to whether one another have had a good break, the GP Direct guys are always so gracious in taking an interest despite the fact that many of them worked through Christmas due to the nature of their projects. Just one example of how servant-hearted they are, and Andy is a great example of this!
Brendan Kelly
A great leader and role model, who went through the ranks as student, project worker, HSC teacher, HSC manager, General Manager. Always helpful, humble and servanthearted.
Karl Reece
Have you seen the number of miles this man clocks up bombing up and down our motorways and railway lines to serve his partners? Karl has been an incredible support to me personally during a long and complicated set up of a project in Birmingham. Aside from his extensive knowledge and experience, he has offered so much encouragement, supported through some very significant challenges, and given the occasional ‘get on with it!’, but very much in the spirit of love and care. Both as Partnership Manager and Line Manager, Karl has been an example of Christian professionalism, balancing the needs of the ‘Business’ with the values of the ‘Kingdom’.
Lisa Stoner
There is no job to big or too small for Lisa. Her attitude and commitment to not only getting things done on time, but also ensuring things are done to the best possible standard just exemplifies the servant heart of Jesus. Lisa is kind and compassionate to others on the GP team and is a great champion of those she works with. Lisa has so much enthusiasm and energy! Lisa has the ability to serve and co-ordinate in a way where she draws attention to others and elevates them without seeking recognition or herself.
Phil Hayden
Whether it’s laying down bricks or laying down wisdom, Phil Hayden is at the forefront of Green Pastures Developments, working to serve, build and inspire. Even the struggles of his beloved Spurs don’t discourage him - he’s the first to smile, the first to pray and has a servant heart full of grace (and a head full of excel spreadsheets)!
Becky Cunningham
Becky works so hard, is full of wisdom, leads her team with passion and kindness, and brings a whole load of support and structure to every area of Green Pastures. She is a true servant and is always available with a great attitude, working with excellence, and she consistently serves with a heart for Jesus.
Chaz Homewood
Chaz’s role changed this past year from GM to maintenance manager. He has taken up the role of doing many tasks and leading a team ensuring our grounds and whole campus are maintained to an excellent standard.
Sean Shorthall
Sean has been a volunteer for the Southport direct team for around 5 years. He has been a tenant for longer than that also. He volunteers regularly for around 3-5 days a week for a 6 hour day. He does whatever is asked of him. In the main he cleans and decorates our properties to a very good standard, more than that he does the foulest jobs that no one would even consider doing and he does it with all his heart and without complaint. He has a complete understanding of why certain tenant live as they do and never judges and will always be a listening ear. He has recently been diagnosed with cancer and yet remains positive even though the outlook isn’t looking good, but he is insisting on continuing to serve our tenants and us as an organisation.
Sonia Robinson
She just serves her heart out.
Tessa Wynne-Griffith
Tessa has a wonderful servant heart and has made a great contribution with her work throughout the year. She has shown real perseverance.
Karen Knowles
Karen has shown care and compassion for both colleagues when supporting them in their work, and also tenants and partners as they work through challenges. Always diligent and kind in everything she does.
Josh Bennet
Josh has a great servant hearted approach. He is flexible and wants to see the best outcome. He is very humble and happy to collaborate with others.
THE CARING AWARD
Someone who epitomises our value of Caring and Inspiring: Inspiring and releasing others; conveying care and compassion; cultivating team chemistry.
Sonia Robinson
The heart this lady has for her team, residents and colleagues is immense. Sonia will guide and support you through the journey of development, inspiring you to achieve greater outcomes - she will look at you with compassion a true heart of care. She is a dream to work with. I am always impacted whenever I spend any time with Sonia. She has such a nurturing heart and cares deeply about everyone she comes into contact with. She defaults to her strong faith & prayer in everything, inspires those around her through her character and actions and is a true pleasure to know. I just love the way Sonia provides so much love and care for her Derby family! Sonia radiates the heart of Jesus for those on her team, and the residents at GP Derby. She is fabulous at releasing and empowering those on her team, and truly cares for everyone who comes through the doors at GP Derby, whether visitors, team members, residents, or the postman ;)
Veronika Kennard
Veronika is a super special person - she has a big heart and I LOVE how she serves faithfully and fruitfully, always willing to help out others and search out information when we need it. I’m inspired by her commitment to GP over a number of years now - and how she still cares about her work and her team, and would love her to be recognised for who she is. Veronika always shows care and compassion for those around her and the investors she speaks to. She is an integral part of the Green Pastures team.
Rachel Cole
I have worked several years with Rachel now and she is the most caring person I know. The compassion and empathy that Rachel shows to her Residents is beautiful to see. Rachel’s caring is so inspiring, this really helps me as a person and how I use my caring for others.
Rob Wery
Goes above and beyond because it’s not a job to Rob, he simply lives as Christ teaches. He just does a really great job in Flintshire.
Brendan Kelly
He just loves people like no-one else, he goes above and beyond and intentionally goes out of his way to help people.
Walter Mahon
Jonny Birch
Jonny is incredibly caring and demonstrates this consistently through his action. He cares about GP and the work we do, and challenges us to improve where we need to. He cares about his team and colleagues, offering a listening ear or encouragement with wisdom and grace. He cares about his Partners, recognising the challenge it is to deliver Supported Housing and is willing to walk alongside them through the inevitable difficulties. And he cares about our residents, believing in a hope-filled future for them. A man with a big pastor’s heart. He communicates warmth and has your back. Truly inspiring in the way that he balances love and practical wisdom.
Nathanial Key
Nat cares for each individual, championing and supporting person by person with a deep genuine care. Nat carries a caring nature anyone can learn from and be inspired by.
Patricia Murphy
Trish is just amazing! She has gone through one of the hardest times of her life this past year with losing a loved one, and has also had significant health challenges but yet she still continues to selflessly give such love and support to the tenants of GP Flintshire. She’s my hero!
Aynsley Gray
Aynsley is the caring catalyst behind Green Pastures Developments - brewing the best coffee, finding great places to eat and planning the best trips. And he also designs the best projects. Aynsley cares for the GPD team and cares for the client!
Al McComb
Al works tirelessly to encourage and make space for colleagues, right across GP, to know there’s always a listening ear as well as genuine care and support!
Daniel Tuakli
Daniel is our Pastoral Support for our Pastoral Support team, he is full of years of experience as he has been with GP since it began in 1999. There is nothing Daniel doesn’t know and certainly nothing he hasn’t seen or had to deal with in the past, so he is invaluable when things and situations happen with our tenants that can then impact our staff, but to give the best advice and support he can.
Vicki Woodley
Vicki always takes such a personal interest in people. Vicki asks thoughtful questions, remembers what is going on in our lives and I am sure is praying constantly for everyone she meets. What a blessing to God’s kingdom. Thank you Vicki for your faithfulness and encouragement. Thank you for caring deeply for all of us.
Louise Marcus
Louise always shows such kindness to her colleagues. She is consistently there to support them in their work and also to show kindness and compassion when challenges happen inside or outside of work. She also cares a huge amount about Green Pastures and what it does.
Terrie Bullock
Terrie shows real care and attention in her work, and has continued to develop her role at GP. She also shows care and support for her colleagues, whether it is training or being there to listen.
Beccy Riley
She goes out of her way to make people feel comfortable despite the Texas distance factor! She is patient and encouraging in her engagement, even without the advantage of face to face engagement.
THE DREAMING AWARD
Someone who has exemplified our value of Dreaming Big: Keeping focus on our mission; helping GP to innovate and improve; Consistently closing key priorities.
Dan Feeny
The blessing that Dan is to our team and organisation is hard to measure - his impact in making systems and processes work for the benefit of us all. His ability to look at problems in a different way and challenge the norm means we are becoming better, we are growing. Despite GPs recent limitations, Dan consistently looks for incremental improvements to enable us to help one more person. Dan is a consistent superstar, but above anything else this year, I’ve seen him contribute at a level that helps us shape GP’s future strategically. Stepping up to Chair SLT, managing some really complex and consequential cross-departmental projects, and keeping us all focused on our priorities through systems and processes that help us do our jobs effectively. Dan continues to guide us on the way towards improvement as an organisation, dealing with delays and difficulties with patience and good grace. His focus and commitment to our mission in GP is massive.
Karl Reece
Karl is a warrior. Karl has took on a variety of responsibilities UK-wide - straddling vast swathes of the country, yet managing to care about the detail in working with the partners and people we serve.
Darren Jones
Darren has vision like no other, he is a true man of God that I am privileged to know and work under him and his heart for helping the marginalised is outstanding. Without the vision Darren brings to Mattersey we would not be where we are now. What a man of God. I love Darren’s heart and big dreams for growing and maturing the ministry at Mattersey
Pete Cunningham
His Big Dreaming is the reason GP exists. The sky is the limit for that man. God has taken the doors off!
Lisa Stoner
I’m always impressed with the dedication and thoughtfulness that Lisa displays whenever I’m on any meeting with her. She might be in charge of a simple, small task or she might be running a whole project, but in both instances she dreams big and works with the same tenacity. She moves us forward in many areas and is a real asset to our organisation!
Rob Wery
Rob has a desire to see the housing project he is a part of grow and increase in impact. Rob’s skills are wide, varied and include a passion to learn. Great qualities to see dreaming big turn into new realities.
Simon Cunningham
Simon is so good at constantly challenging us to believe for more. To believe and have faith that our tenants lives will be fully transformed through the work of Green Pastures and the gospel in action.
Matty Hawthorne
Matty is on another level. He thinks big about the overall picture yet is able to draw people in and link the big to the small. He has great ideas and vision which are always to bring clarity, to drive us forward and take everyone along, leaving no one behind. He gets things done, often many things at once and does it with forethought, vision and great insight. He is bold to dream, takes action and brings the best out of people. “What can we do better?” I hear him say. “Let’s get out there and do more” I hear him say. A real optimist in Christ, seeing beyond the challenges to the potential in the Kingdom! Well done Matty, don’t get tired of dreaming in Christ! Keep going!
Joe Ashton
Joe is a dreamer, doer, and developer - the mastermind behind Green Pastures’ big projects. You say house, Joe says skyscraper. Joe’s plan for world domination is all about building God’s Kingdom - amazing!
Joanne Hoppe
Joanne is making the GP MH education team bigger than it ever has been. She is seeing and building the reality of our campus to become a registered centre with educational authorities.
Andrew Cunningham
Not to be bias - but because I live with Andrew, I hear continually his hopes - dreams and aspirations for where he sees GP going in the future. He is positive and forward thinking always - even when under pressure with the pressures that GP can bring to him personally. He trusts in God and continually wants the best for everyone who works for GP and more so the people we help in many areas of GP and everything we do. I am very proud of him personally.
Phil Hayden
Phil may dream big, but he doesn’t get lost in the clouds. His big vision doesn’t loose sight of the nuts and bolts of a project, not to mention his care for his Colleagues.
OVERALL CONTRIBUTION
Someone who has gone above and beyond in one or more of the above categories in the last 12 months.
Dan Feeny
Dan always goes beyond what is normal - he strives to finds great solutions, not just okay solutions. He is committed, and displays GP’s core values daily.
Josh Bennett
Joshua is an absolute diamond - serving faithfully over a growing patch of the south west, wales, etc etc. Joshua has inherited some tricky bits of work without complaining, and is always willing to help out other team members.
Patricia Murphy
This woman is just Wow! Trish will always go out of her way to help others in need. Her caring and proactive approach is just awesome, Trish is such a positive strong woman. Trish’s empathy and the way she can relate with our residents is so positive and the way she will always make time for our residents has such a great affect on our residents into becoming more independent and with a much better positive future. I look up at Trish at how she manages to do all the work she does with GP. Trish...You are amazing!
Francis Goodwin
From a role the majority won’t know exists, Francis has been GPs longest serving non exec director. Discreetly keeping us focused, offering guidance and support for almost 2 decades.
Julie Jones
Julie goes out of her way to help students and staff alike, she has been a massive help to me personally and professionally and I am truly blessed to call her my colleague, she is someone that is trust worthy and integral and will do anything that is needed, nothing is beneath Julie and she is someone that I aspire to be like.
Anthony Rock
Outstanding support worker whose goes above and beyond on every shift he is on.
Jonathan Lawson
Jonathan always goes the extra mile and gratuitously uses his gifts and knowledge on his own initiative. Jonathan is a gentle, gracious and godly man. He has dealt with considerable challenges over the last couple of years with diligence and commitment! One thing I love about Jonathan is his contribution to our faith values and community at Green Pastures - he’s not always the loudest voice but in him you can see someone who is firmly rooted in God. It’s a blessing to work with him. Leaving the glories of Stokeon-Trent for the squalor of Southport?? Being prepared to increase his commute to the Britannia Stadium so that he can be closer to the office?? Above and beyond!! Jonathan is diligent, sacrificial and caring. There have been many times when Jonathan has been working late into the evening but has taken the time to encourage his Colleagues. When he asks how you are, he really does want to know and will pray with you and for you. The real deal and such a blessing.
Joanne McKenzie
Jo is a force of Nature, nothing is too much trouble, she is creative in making changes, Goes above and beyond in a loving caring manner.
Rachel Cole
Rachel has gone above and beyond in the length of years she has supported residents at a consistently high level. Good days, bad days, times of success and celebration, times of disappointment and frustration, Rachel steps forward and delivers care that matters and support that makes the difference. Rachel is an ‘above and beyond’ person of faith, compassion and boots on the ground moving forward.
Christa Macnaughton
Quietly, but efficiently, resiliently and with great faith and commitment Christa works through the issues. I am not sure the PM team would be able to survive without her.
Matty Hawthorne
I don’t know of anyone else who has gone further in uniting, driving forward and adding strength to Green Pastures all round. He does it in such a down to earth way, yet leads with strength and optimism that is infectious.
Jess McCready
Jess’ commitment to her role is always outstanding. She is quick to recognise when there is a gap to fill or information that may need to be passed on. If something is asked of her, she is always keen to find a way to make it happen. The type of work that Jess deals with can be frustrating and challenging at times, but she will never stop pushing through and ultimately getting to a conclusion on any given item.
Jess Donald
Jess is a quick thinker that gets the job done! She is a real credit to the GP Team. Jess doesn’t let anything defeat her and will be relentless in finding any solution needed. Its clear that Jess cares about the work she is doing, and shows a real level of support to the partners she works with, often over and above what is expected.
Diane Court
Diane gets invested in the lives and situations of the tenants and partners she works with. She is keen not for work to just get done, but for it to get done to a high standard. Diane works hard to keep on top of her priorities, and shows a real dedication to her work.
Matthew Frost
Matthew is the prayer powerhouse at Green Pastures Developments and the walking, talking proof of the fruits of the Spirit *mic drop* And we all know it and love him for it. What a blessing and inspiration to see God’s superpowers working through Matthew!
Karl Reece
As the PM team have had to navigate through huge changes in GP Karl has consistently worked tirelessly to make sure that team members and Partners were fully supported. This is on top of his own considerable workload. He has also had some really delicate HR issues, which he’s handled sensitively and kindly. He has also been a huge support to our GP Direct projects especially with the more technical aspects of Housing Benefit claims. His thoughtfulness, selflessness and kind approach has upheld many aspects of GPs life and work and it would be great to recognise this. Karl, you have helped us to consolidate, strengthen and grow. This has been a great blessing to GP. Your diligence and enthusiasm have been an encouragement to many. Thank you for being you.
Beccy Riley
Despite being far from the rest of us, Beccy works tirelessly for Green Pastures. This year, she has been instrumental in growing our investor base, increasing engagement across social media, leading two successful campaigns for Christmas and Homeless Sunday, and delivering consistently excellent email marketing. All of this while stepping up to take on extra responsibilities, solving challenges, and meeting the ever-evolving demands of our work.
Gill Kelly
Gill is an all rounder , a can do person and at GP Mattersey Hall, her role has changed many times. Her heart to serve, her example and her love for our students beautiful.
Vanessa Lane
I just feel the accounts team never gets recognised. I feel people like her, working really hard in the background get easily forgotten. She works really hard day in day out and I want for her to be recognised.
Andy Moore
