LAUNCH events

Dr Andrew Ollerton

Theologian and author, Bible Society

Andrew is a theologian, pastor, author and popular communicator, based in Wales. Andrew works with Bible Society and recently developed a new edition of ‘The Bible Course’ and published a new title with Hodder called God’s Book: An Honest Look at the Bible’s 7 Toughest Topics. Andrew works closely with the explorer Bear Grylls, together publishing the NIV for Young Explorers, producing a TV series in Israel, and helped Bear develop a brilliant new book called The Greatest Story Ever Told.

Andrew completed his PhD in Historical Theology and is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He loves climbing mountains and exploring the great outdoors, is married to Charlotte and they have three kids, two fish, a snake and a dog.

Andy Hawthorne OBE

Founder and Global CEO, The Message Trust

Evangelist, author, founder and Global CEO of The Message Trust, Andy Hawthorne OBE is a world-renowned speaker, who has a wealth of learning from over 30 years of mission, going into deprived communities, prisons, schools and across the globe. As Global CEO, Andy heads up six international hubs across South Africa, Germany, Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands and Uganda, all with the same vision as the UK hub: that local mission changes the world.

Anthony Delaney

Founder of LAUNCH; leads Ivy Church, Manchester

Anthony is a former police officer who now leads Ivy Church, a thriving church, planting various innovative expressions in Manchester, UK. He is the founder of LAUNCH – comprising LAUNCH Catalyst conferences and LAUNCH Communitas leadership collective, helping thousands of leaders multiply disciples and churches.

Anthony hosts the LAUNCH Podcast and partners with global networks including Living on the Edge. A dynamic speaker and author of The Man You Were Made to Be and The BEST Marriage, Anthony is passionate about helping people discover their identity in Christ and their purpose in His mission.

Dr Chloe Swart

National Director, Alpha UK

Chloe is the National Director of Alpha UK. She also leads in her local church, Cornerstone in Swansea, and has completed a PhD in theology studying healing miracles in Wales. Chloe is the chair of the Wales advisory group for the Evangelical Alliance. Chloe is married to Russo, a South African who has moved to Swansea to complete his engineering PhD. They got married on the night of lockdown with two witnesses and dad marrying them!

Jo Soper

Church planter, Exeter Network Church

Jo left London to plant Exeter Network Church with her husband Jon and young son back in 2004, planting other churches locally shaped around mission, Scripture and living a life fuelled by the Spirit. Last year they handed over the leadership of the church, and since then they have travelled around Brazil, and supported churches here and abroad. They love to empower people in the life of the Spirit, activating them into the gifts through Scripture and practice.

Jo studied theology in Oxford and London, taught at Westminster Theological Centre, and lived in community as part of St Stephen’s Society founded by Jackie Pullinger. She and Jon now work for the diocese in Nottingham. On a day off, Jo loves open water swimming and sunshine.

Joshua Komolafe

Leads Kingdom Culture, Jubilee Church Manchester

Joshua is the CEO of Joloshko Ark Holdings, the parent company for multiple business initiatives. Since 2019, Joshua has led Kingdom Culture (KC), the thriving young adults’ expression of Jubilee Church Manchester RCCG. Joshua’s main focus is helping youth, young adults and young professionals to discover what they’re good at, operate from their best, and find fulfilment – through training and development in the areas of leadership, purpose, public speaking and branding.

A pioneer of multiple projects and initiatives, Joshua is a communicator with over 15 years of public speaking experience and the author of nine books and resources. He’s also an executive producer, singer-songwriter and musician.

Julian Richards

National Leader, New Wine Cymru

Julian is the National Leader of New Wine Cymru/Wales. NWC is a church leadership network prioritising leadership, church and mission. It connects hundreds of leaders and teams from nearly every expression of church in Wales. In 1991, Julian and his wife Sarah founded Cornerstone Church with five other young people in one of the most deprived areas of the city. Today, it is a thriving church known across Wales for its community work, regular conversions and many physical healings.

Julian has previously served on the UK and European board of the Evangelical Alliance, and the national leadership team of the Pioneer Churches UK Network. His passion is to see church leaders equipped and developed, and local churches thriving and missionally effective.