Ministry Candidates

about our candidates

Candidates are being trained at Edinburgh Theological Seminary (ETS) to go into ministry in the Free Church of Scotland. 

Find out more about the candidates here, including their intended date of completion of studies at ETS. 

We hope this page is helpful for churches looking to call a minister.

If you have any questions, please do get in touch with Donald Macleod, Clerk to the Board of Ministry.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

ALREADY COMPLETED STUDIES AT ETS

NATHAN KISH

I grew up in the Highlands, first in Sutherland then Strathspey. I had a few different jobs after leaving school including being a Chef before settling in construction for eight years. During all that time I always knew none of these paths was for the long-term, and about seven years ago I was challenged by a Minister to consider whether I was being called to ministry.

While I had grown up in a Christian home, and while I don’t remember a time when I did not believe, I could have been described as a Corinthian believer, especially as a teenager. I bore the name of Jesus and could defend my faith, but I often did not honour his name by the way I lived. However, in my late teens I became more and more convicted of my way of living, and with the encouragement and discipleship of more mature believers I began to grow much more in my faith. I also began to experience a burden upon my heart for the people I had grown up amongst in the Highlands, who it seemed to me lacked a faithful Gospel witness. This desire has only grown as I have embraced a call to ministry and I am humbled that God would ever use someone like me to reach others with his Word.

I currently live in Fort William with my wife Lauren, and our daughter Lydia where I am training in Kilmallie and Ardnamurchan Free Church. I fill much of my spare time playing for Kilmallie Shinty Club so it’s not uncommon to see me hobbling up to the pulpit on a Sunday.

SIMON REHBERG

Hi, my name is Simon. I’m originally from the wonderful country of Germany where I spent the first 19 years of my life. After volunteering at a Christian Outdoor Centre in Scotland for a year, I decided to come back in order to study theology.

During my three years at ETS I felt an internal desire to use the things I had learned by preaching and applying it to people and to help them to know and love God better. During that time I experienced encouragement from friends and fellow church members at St Columba’s Free Church, which is the church I was (and still am) attending.

Following this I started a ministry apprenticeship program with St C’s during which I officially applied to become a Candidate for the ministry. I am now training as a candidate for the ministry here at St C’s in the heart of Edinburgh. God has put on my heart a love for the people in our church, as well as the many people he intends to save in the capital of this wonderful country. 

I love spending time with people, drinking coffee, playing and watching sports and making music together with others.

Intended Date of Completion:

May 2026

SIMON ATTWOOD

Simon is originally from Newcastle but is now an adopted Scot, having been here for well over a decade. He came to a clear understanding of the gospel through the Christian Union at Dundee University and has been involved in student ministry and evangelism with UCCF through many of the intervening years having worked as both ‘Relay’ and ‘Staff’ workers.

Simon is a Minister in Training at St Andrews Free Church. Alongside his work at the church, Simon is studying at Edinburgh Theological Seminary and is also trained in Biblical Counselling, completed the Cornhill Scotland course and has a masters degree in Theology from Crosslands. Outside of Church life Simon is most often found with a decent coffee, feeding people dinner or out swimming in a Loch or at the beach!

SCOTT MACLEOD

My name is Scott Macleod and I am currently a minister in training with North Harris Free Church. I live on Scalpay with my wife Fiona and our three children. Since leaving school I have worked as an electrician and in car body repair, so it’s safe to say I have an interest in fixing anything that’s broken! After becoming a Christian in 2009 I had growing convictions and assurances directing me toward full time ministry. 
 
Over time this led to an application to the Free Church and the commencement of my studies at ETS in September 2022. It is a daunting prospect preparing to become a minister of God’s Word and a servant to His people, nevertheless, we are prepared and strengthened by His grace to undertake this weighty responsibility. 
 
There is a need for our nation to hear the hope of the Gospel because sin has left us broken, in need of repair and restoration. I pray that I will learn to transfer my desire to ‘fix’ into ministry, by commending and directing people to the person of Christ as the only one who is able to fix, repair and restore us.

WILL SANDERS

I am originally from Cambridgeshire, and I was brought up in a Christian family. I am married to Sarah who is from Northern Ireland. We’ve been in Scotland for about a decade now having met in St Andrews and been part of St Andrews Free Church. During university, I had the opportunity to get involved in the church and the Christian Union and during my time there was encouraged to consider full time ministry.

I currently work as a Minister in Training for Redeemer Church Edinburgh in Colinton alongside ETS. Before this, I was a Ministry Associate at Chalmers Church Edinburgh which I did along with the Cornhill Training Course. Outside of church, I enjoy sports and most of all following the England cricket team.

STEPHEN STRONG

I was brought up in Bishopbriggs and moved to the Free Church from the Church of Scotland in 2011. I am married to Hannah, who is a Secondary School Music Teacher and father to Noah. We currently live in the South side of Glasgow. I am a big football fan (but a very average player) and a running enthusiast. 

After working in social care, the prison service and foster care, a common theme developed of a longing to serve people whilst being frustrated at being restricted in sharing the only thing that all people truly need – the gospel of Jesus Christ. I started investigating a call to ministry, and at every stage, doors opened and did not close. 

My own gratitude to my Saviour spurs me on in my desire to spend the rest of my days proclaiming the truths of the gospel to the people of Scotland, bringing hope from a loving Father to a lost world. I am excited to share in the mission for a healthy gospel church for every community in Scotland and trust God with the future.

Intended Date of Completion:

May 2027

CHRIS LAMONT

Hi, I’m Chris. I’m married to Emma and we have been blessed with two wonderful girls, Sophia and Darcey.  

I was raised to know God, but I spent more than a decade trying to run as far away from him as possible. A journey that took me from the north of Scotland to London and then Sydney, Australia, working as a writer and strategist in the creative industry. But because God is so kind, he called me to himself.

Training for ministry is an amazing privilege. It’s a thrill to study God’s word every day and to learn from all the lecturers at ETS, and to learn from the leaders at my training church.

Our family loves having a house full of people sharing good food and conversation. My prayer is that God would raise up more gospel leaders in Scotland, and across the globe, who would faithfully share the good news that Jesus really is the saviour the whole world needs.

Lewis MACDONALD

My name is Lewis and I’m currently training for ministry at Hope Church Leith in Edinburgh. I’m from the Isle of Skye but I’m now living in Leith with my wife Blythe, doing the Minister in Training course and studying at ETS.

Over a period of time before moving to Edinburgh I had a growing desire to go into ministry, and through other people’s encouragement, my own convictions and each door opening, I grew in assurance about this calling. The thought of ministry is daunting in many ways! But knowing Jesus for myself and learning how great His love is spurs me on to pursue this ministry and share this faith with the people around me.

GORDON MACLEOD

I am married to Gillian, and we have four grown up daughters, a son-in-law and a granddaughter.

Originally from Glasgow, I have spent my working life in various parts of Highland and the Islands, working in the Police Service, and latterly with the Western Isles Free Church Presbytery as a Youth, Discipleship and Development Co-ordinator.

Coming to faith at the age of twelve, I was blessed to be discipled by the youth leaders and eldership in the congregation, where I worshiped.

Since our marriage Gillian and I have had the privilege of serving in various roles in churches in Harris, Stornoway, Inverness and returning to Harris 15 years ago.

For the next two years, we will be part of the Carloway Free Church Congregation, were I look forward to serving as Minister in Training.

CHRISTOPHER MCLEAN

I was born in Northern Ireland and brought up in a loving Christian family before moving to Dundee in 2015 to study medicine. I am married to Sarah, a GP trainee, and we have a daughter named Elsie. While completing my studies, I developed a desire to serve God and His people as I became involved in church life and the Christian Union. After graduating, I completed two years working as a doctor. During this time, with the support of friends and elders, this desire to serve has led me to study at ETS and to become a candidate for ministry in the Free Church. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, camping, good coffee, and spending time with friends.

I am looking forward to growing in knowledge and grace while studying at ETS and serving at St Andrews Free Church as a minister in training. My prayer is to see men, women, and children come to know Jesus, and for His church to love him more by the power of His Word.

KEITH NICOLSON

Keith is currently a Minister in Training with Merkinch Free Church of Scotland, having already completed two years of training in Rosskeen Free Church, Invergordon. Looking back, Keith and his wife, Elizabeth can see how pivotal the testimonies of their leaders were for them coming to know and follow Jesus whilst attending the Free Church Youth Camps.
 
Before commencing his studies with ETS, Keith worked in various sectors, from leisure to retail, in the Free Church central office and local churches in Inverness and Cardiff.
Keith points to the vision statement of the Free Church as one which shapes his life for how he speaks about and lives for Jesus – even influencing his involvement in local running clubs.
 
Elizabeth and Keith shared that they love sharing life with others, from having people over to stay/eat and celebrating with friends and family. They both look forward to getting to know and be part of their local community to live for Jesus.

STEPHEN PLOUFFE

My name is Stephen Plouffe and I live on Prince Edward Island in Canada. I am married to Nelleke and we have six boys, spanning ages 6 months to 16 years old. I am currently serving in the Free Church on the eastern end of PEI and have been learning and growing much through the joint experience of studying at ETS and serving in a local church setting.

I have been pursuing a call to ministry for many years, but raising a growing family while working full-time, studying part time to complete a B.A. in English, and doing weekly pulpit supply for various churches on the Island made the initial process a slow one. However, the process has taught us a lot about God’s faithfulness as he has provided for us as a family and has graciously led us through the years. Nelleke homeschools our boys and is a great support in ministry, using her musical and organizational gifts to the blessing and benefit of both our family and the local church body. It is a delight to serve together as we seek the Lord and his will.

Intended Date of Completion:

May 2028

ASH CUNNINGHAM

Ash is married to Suzy and they have two children, Shasta and Istra. Ash has spent the past few years serving as a pastor in England, but it has always been his desire to return to his adoptive home in Scotland. Prior to being a pastor, he ran UCCF’s Theology Network ministry for 6 years, and before that he was gaining some life experience working as a head carer in a nursing home. He’s a keen reader and enjoys sport, though his enthusiasm for rugby is now solely in watching it. He and Suzy love to fill their home with people, and will regularly have film/book/music discussion evenings over food.
 
Ash was brought up in a Christian home, but first properly grasped his faith as a teenager when challenged by a youth leader to decide whether there was more to following Jesus than just being good at Sunday school. Praise God – he saw that there was indeed much more, and since then, Ash has been delighted to follow his Lord and Saviour, and is a keen evangelist. He will be serving as a trainee minister primarily at Christ Church Glasgow in Anniesland, as well as overseeing some of the ministry at Bishopbriggs Free Church, where he and his family will be living. 

Intended Date of Completion:

May 2029

AARON WALKER

When Sarah and I arrived in Glasgow in autumn 2015, in preparation for a post-grad degree at the University of Glasgow, we thought we’d be in Scotland for a year — maybe two.
 
The Lord had other plans.
 
One degree turned into another, then Covid hit, then I began working part-time for the local Free Church in Dumbarton, Scotland. The Lord blessed and grew our family from two to seven, and I began to feel Him leading us, slowly but surely, into formal ministry. 
 
The path has not always been easy, but God leads us along in the way that is best for us. May all of Scotland someday say with the psalmist, ‘Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.’ Psalm 86:11.