UK Reps
UK
Michael Cook, Scotland Representative
Michael joined Mission Africa as Scotland Representative in August 2007. This was a significant change from his previous career in Risk Management and Finance but God's call was clear and unambiguous.
Whilst he was brought up in a Christian home, Michael lived much of his Childhood in a closed Christian Community. However, it wasn't until his late teenage years that he came to personal faith. Michael studied History at the University of York and then joined PricewaterhouseCoopers for 6 years where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant. In 2002 Michael moved to Scotland where he worked in various Management roles for the insurance company Prudential including Head of Change Management and Head of Security. He is married to Helen and they have a young son called Sam. Michael enjoys the great outdoors and is currently trying to climb all the Scottish "Munros".
As Scotland Representative, Michael is available to visit Churches, Prayer Groups, Youth Groups and Universities to inform them about the work of Mission Africa and to encourage them to engage with the Great Commission. Contact Michael at michael.cook@missionafrica.org.uk
Barry and Judy Lakeman, Representatives for England and Wales
Barry and Judy both retired in June 2007, Barry from a career as a research scientist in the battery and fuel cell field, and Judy from a part-time admin job, having previously been a teacher and in the Civil Service. At this point they agreed to take on the role of representing Mission Africa in England and Wales, but first spent some time on an assignment in Chad.
Judy grew up in a churchgoing family, and Christian Endeavour and ISCF (Scripture Union in Schools) were part of her journey to personal faith as a teenager. She studied English at Nottingham University, and began her teaching career with a year on VSO in Sri Lanka.
Barry became a Christian in his late twenties. He studied microbiology by day-release, and then did a Masters in Materials Protection and a Doctorate in electrochemistry, both at Loughborough University.
Married, qualified, and with two young children, John and Debbie, they had a strong call from God to Nigeria, and spent 4 years in the early 80s in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, where Barry lectured at the Federal University and Judy did women’s work and teaching for the local Anglican Diocese. During this time they visited many of the Qua Iboe Fellowship (now Mission Africa) missionaries both in the Cross River and Igala areas.
Since 1985 they have helped provide a focus for mission in the various churches they have been part of: encouraging involvement in the mission of the church overseas; being the home link for missionaries sent by their church; and participating in team visits to Eastern Europe, Africa and France. Their support for Mission Africa has continued, and in 2003 they visited Burkina Faso.
As Representatives for England and Wales, Judy and Barry are available to visit Churches, Prayer Groups, Youth Groups and Universities to inform about the work of Mission Africa and to encourage their involvement in GOD’s Mission to Africa. Contact them at thelakemans@missionafrica.org.uk
