New GS senses a fresh fire in Elim’s mission

Mark Pugh took the reins as General Superintendent last month

Earlier this year, Mark Pugh was elected as Elim’s new General Superintendent, and succeeded Chris Cartwright who has served two four-year terms since 2016.

“Elim was birthed in the fires of revival and evangelism,” says Mark Pugh, “and over the last 109 years we have grown to be a movement of hundreds of churches and ministries across the UK and around the world.

“But I sense a deep longing for both a fresh renewal of the Holy Spirit and fresh fire in our mission. I believe God is inviting us to look beyond the challenges of our day and partner with the new things he is seeking to do.”

Originally from Porth in South Wales, Mark Pugh was already on the ministry team in Derby when he entered the Elim ministry in 1998, continuing to serve in Derby until 2001 when he was stationed to Birmingham City Church. In 2002 Mark was appointed to the National Youth Team and in 2004, having pioneered Serious- 4God, Elim’s National Youth Ministry, he was appointed Director of Serious4God. A number of national youth events such as The Gathering were birthed under Mark’s tenure.

In 2013, Mark relinquished the role of Director of Serious4God and was appointed as lead pastor in Rediscover Church Exeter. Under Mark’s leadership the church has seen significant growth, and he has pioneered a number of initiatives such as South West Awake, a prayer event that gathers thousands of people, and the Church Planting Academy which equips and releases people to plant churches.

Having been appointed to the National Leadership Team in 2010 Mark served two terms until 2018 when he made the decision to concentrate on his local church ministry.

Mark is married to Nita and they have three grown-up children and one grandchild. Mark is well regarded outside of Elim. Gavin Calver, CEO of the Evangelical Alliance says, “I am delighted that Mark Pugh has been appointed as the new GS of Elim. He is an outstanding leader with a huge missional heart and a proven track record for growing churches and innovation in leadership. He will be wonderful in the role and the wider Church in the UK are praying for him and cheering him on.”

Chris Cartwright says, “I am delighted that Mark is to lead Elim forward. He is a gifted and experienced leader with a passion for the local church, for the Elim movement and the ministry and mission of the wider church.”

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.

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