Office Staff
Belfast, UK
Rev Paul Bailie, Chief Executive
Paul was born in Lisburn in 1968, but mostly grew up in Helen's Bay, County Down. Paul became a Christian in 1980 as a result of the witness of a primary school teacher. He studied at Queen's University Belfast, and holds a BA in Biblical Studies as well as a BD and an MPhil in Old Testament. When other responsibilities permit, Paul is working on his PhD on the book of Chronicles. Paul met Anne at Queen's and they were married in 1994. From 1994-1998 he was a part time teacher at Belfast Bible College, teaching Old Testament and he also taught Missiology at BBC in 2005.
Ordained in 1995, he is a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and served alongside Very Revd Dr Rodney Sterritt in congregational ministry in Newtownards, prior to becoming a missionary.
Paul first visited Africa in 1988. It was during this initial trip to visit friends working with AIM that God decisively laid it on Paul's heart that he should serve in ordained ministry and overseas mission. Paul and Anne became missionaries in Kenya 1999-2003, serving with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA). Paul served as Old Testament Lecturer and Academic Dean of the Presbyterian Theological College, Thogoto. Paul and Anne were engaged in joint projects at Kikuyu Mission Station, including Thogoto Home for the Aged, and were founder members of The Compass School, a school and feeding centre for orphans and vulnerable children. Anne is still engaged in mission in Kenya through the Asterias Organisation.
Paul joined Mission Africa in 2005 and became Chief Executive in May 2007. As well as having operational oversight of the Mission in the UK and Africa, Paul is active in promoting Mission Africa throughout churches and fellowships in Ireland and across the UK. He is available to speak at any kind of meeting on the work of Mission Africa and can be contacted at paul.bailie@missionafrica.org.uk. Paul is also available to advise, and to deliver orientation and training for those seeking to go to Africa.
Individually and together the Bailies see mission in Africa as their calling; they hope, under God, to serve His purposes there for many years to come.
Jonny Beggs, Coordinator of Mission Development
Jonny Beggs is the Coordinator of Mission Development and has been working for Mission Africa based in Belfast since June 2005. He grew up in Armagh and gave his life to Jesus when he was very young while attending Loughgall Presbyterian Church. Mission was always important to him and he has been on mission teams to Ireland, Portugal, Lebanon, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. He attended Belfast Bible College for 3 years studying for a Degree in Theology.
As Coordinator of Mission Development, Jonny's undertakes a variety of roles, including speaking to different youth groups and churches across the UK and Ireland. He also organises and leads Summer Teams and GAP year programmes. He also works with other agencies in the Mission Agency Partnership to run events which promote "Mission" and encourage a wider audience to get involved.
You can email Jonny at jonny.beggs@missionafrica.org.uk
Naomi Murphy, Secretary
Naomi grew up in a family with a heart for overseas mission and she spent several of her initial years in a rural Thai village. This introduced her to many of the physical and spiritual needs encountered overseas and gave her a foundation in her relationship with God. Returning to school in Northern Ireland required a lot of readjusting. During her latter years at High School Naomi had little desire to participate in anything Christian as a curiosity to experience the life of her non-Christian friends dominated. "I was confused by Christianity but I still held the truth in my heart; I was searching for something that was real to me. It wasn’t until I started University that I was encouraged to pursue God’s good and perfect plan for her life." A Christian girl in Naomi's class introduced her to the Christian Union in Coleraine. "This was one of the most significant times in my life, as it was here that my relationship with God finally clicked together." Naomi went on to become a small group leader and active in the Christian Union Committee. Naomi also went short term missions to Zambia, Russia and South Africa.
These experiences have helped Naomi in her current job as secretary at Mission Africa. Key responsibilities include processing visa and travel arrangements along with some financial tasks.
You can email Naomi on naomi.murphy@missionafrica.org.uk
Jane Robertson, Office Manager
Jane has worked with the Mission since November 2002, 4 years as Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive and then in her current role as Office Manager. She hails from Newtownards, in Northern Ireland with strong connections to both Scotland and New Zealand. Jane believed in God from an early age and joined His family when she was about 5 years old, during a time of illness when she experienced His special care. Her life and experiences since have developed an attitude and vision for beyond home shores and to support those working overseas in any way she can. This led her to join the Mission Africa family as they serve the needs of those in West Africa.
The role of Office Manager includes personnel administration, publications, correspondence, events and general office operations.
You can contact Jane at jane.robertson@missionafrica.org.uk
Julie McConnell, Finance Officer
Julie McConnell is the Finance Officer and has worked for Mission Africa since April 2006. She grew up in South Belfast and is from a Christian family. She became a Christian while at Grosvenor Grammar School after an outreach event by the CU there. After school she went to Queens University, Belfast, studying for a BSc in Applied Maths, and then an MSc in Computational Science. She is married to Jonathan and they are the parents of Emma and Olivia.
As Finance Officer, Julie’s role is to maintain appropriate financial records and manage financial transactions both in the UK and on the field in Africa.
You can contact Julie at julie.mcconnell@missionafrica.org.uk
