Our Team

James Archer

Principal & CEO

James Archer has worked in education for over 20 years and has extensive experience working with children and young people. James was a primary school educator and science advisor before gaining his Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) and becoming a Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at Canterbury Christ Church University. James was the Primary Science, Mathematics Manager and School Research Coordinator at Bradford College and then served as the Director of the International Montessori Institute at Leeds Beckett University. This is now a world-leading research centre on early years and Montessori education. James is currently studying for his doctorate exploring the lived experience of children in the church through the lens of Liberation Theology. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Principal at The Institute for Children, Youth and Mission and he oversees CYM’s offer as well as the charity's strategic direction and partnerships with churches and other organisations across the UK.

Robin Smith

Course Director

Robin is an educator in community-based Practical Theology and has over 13 years of community youth work experience in various contexts. He is the Academic Studies Manager and Principal Lecturer at The Institute for Children, Youth and Mission. Robin completed his degree at London Bible College and his MA in Youth and Community Work and Applied Theology (The Centre for Youth Ministry) from the University of Gloucester, Cheltenham. Robin has qualified teacher status in Secondary Religious Education from Leeds Trinity University and has tutored several ministry training courses over the past 15 years, including the Oasis College of Higher Education London and Nazarene Theological College, Manchester. Robin is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Distinction Advance HE: York and is currently completing his doctoral studies exploring the intersection of faith-based work and a broader application of spirituality in society.

Sarah Holmes

Director of Research

Sarah has been involved in ministry amongst children and families for over 20 years, and has a passion to find innovative and effective ways to equip children to get closer to Jesus. After completing a Geography degree at Liverpool University (with the aim of being a weather girl or earthquake predictor!), she worked as a church-based children's worker on the Wirral, and then as a Children and Family Pastor in Altrincham, Cheshire. Alongside this work, she really enjoyed studying at Cliff College: First to gain a Level 5 Diploma in Children's Evangelism and Nurture, and then an MA in Evangelism Studies. She then took some time out of this work to be a stay-at-home mum, but in the midst of this season completed a PhD exploring the role of family in children's faith journeys. Following this, she began teaching Early Childhood Studies at Liverpool Hope University, and researching the topic of children's faith and spirituality. She is excited about the role of Director of Research, seeking to explore together how we can equip and empower the church to enhance ministry opportunities amongst children and their families.

Scott Halligan

Director of Communications, Relationships, and Engagement

Scott knows first-hand the importance of the CYM mission - as a poor boy from a non-Christian background, he was introduced to Jesus by faith-filled youth leaders in the Boys Brigade. Having honed his leadership craft for over 20 years in the education, charity and corporate sectors, he now runs his own leadership training and organisation development consultancy. In a previous role, Scott was National Director of Education for the Christian charity TLG, where he grew the partnerships to reach under-served young people across the country. He is Chair of Trustees for Acorn Alternative Provision, an Elder at Cornerstone Baptist Church and has two young children with his wife Rebecca. When he is not working, you’ll normally find Scott drinking coffee or in the hills; on foot or on two wheels.

Nigel Roberts

Lecturer

Nigel has worked in youth work and education for 38 years. He led several local centres for Youth for Christ before joining head office as Education Advisor. Nigel continues in this role as he tutors students at the Institute for Children, Youth, and Mission, where he has created and contributed to many of the CYM chaplaincy courses and developed working standards for Chaplains with children and young people. Nigel is a qualified drama teacher and was a community chaplain in a secondary school for 17 years. Nigel also works for the Saltley Trust, developing chaplaincy initiatives in Further Education across the West Midlands. He has a passion for drama and its place in youth work and ministry and led the professional theatre company Red River Theatre for 15 years, winning several awards and performing around the country and in front of the United Nations.

Alia Pike

Associate Tutor

Alia is a youth worker and has over 25 years experience of working with young people in churches, open access youth clubs, education, and targeted youth work projects. Alia currently works for the National Youth Agency which is the PSRB for Youth Work in England and is employed as the Education and Training Standards Officer. Outside of work Alia is a marathon runner having completed over 25 marathons including three ultra marathons and recently ran a marathon in the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan. Still involved in grassroots youth work Alia volunteers at her church and is part of the regional Limitless team supporting youth leaders in the North West and can be found walking around Limitless Festival as part of the pastoral team. Continuing professional development is important to Alia and she is currently completing her MA in Theology, Community Development, and Social Change.

Dave Horsfall

Associate Tutor

Dave leads the CYM module CYU402 Practical Theology and Biblical Studies. Dave also lectures at St Hild Theological College, teaching Introduction to New Testament, and previously taught a Level 5 Christology Module. Dave is the Director of Leeds School of Theology, which delivers informal theological education to Christians in local churches. Dave was also in senior church leadership for seven years with Mosaic Church Leeds. In 2017 he completed a PGDip in Theology, Mission, and Ministry with Durham University and then an MA in 2020. Dave is a Ph.D. Theology Student at Durham University, focusing on New Testament studies.

Rachel Turner

Senior Lecturer

Rachel Turner has worked within family, youth and children’s ministry for over 18 years. After serving full-time in multiple churches, she then went on to found Parenting for Faith in partnership with BRF. Through her and her team’s work, they have created multiple online courses, resources and podcasts to enable parents and carers to disciple their children and for church leaders to create a parenting for faith culture within their communities. She is an international speaker and the author of ten books. In her work, she has consulted and partnered with national denominations and regional networks to enable growth in intergenerational church, robust family ministry, and church culture change. With a BA in Cultural Anthropology and MScEcon in Critical Security Studies, she has guest lectured with Cliff College, Moorlands College and St. Padarn’s.

Dr. Graham Bright

Associate Fellow

Graham was formerly Director of Research, Senior Lecturer and Practice Co-ordinator with CYM. He has been involved in youth and community work for over 30 years and is a qualified counsellor. Graham has worked in schools, colleges and universities where he taught various programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including Childhood and Youth Studies, Early Childhood Studies, Counselling, Education Studies, and Sociology. He completed his PhD in Youth Work at Durham University in 2021.

He was part of a team which planted The Well Methodist Church in Darlington, where he now serves as Community Pastor. The Well is situated in an area of socio-economic challenge; it is a church committed to working creatively with its local community to bring change and to developing discipleship and expressing worship intergenerationally. Graham maintains a strong relationship with CYM, offering dissertation supervision, consulting on research and teaching occasional modules. His previous research and ongoing interests relate to Growing Faith, Intergenerational Church, Community and Youth Work.

Jaz Potter

Associate Tutor

Jaz is a seasoned leader with a distinguished career, currently serving on the senior leadership team at Gateway Church. With a wealth of experience in various leadership roles, she has demonstrated exceptional skills in guiding and inspiring teams towards achieving their goals. Jaz holds a Masters in Missional Leadership from Newman, showcasing her commitment to understanding and navigating the complexities of mission-driven organisations.

Currently pursuing a Doctorate at Asbury Seminary (USA), Jaz continues to deepen her academic knowledge, bringing cutting-edge insights to her leadership role. Her involvement in leading Christian organisations reflects her dedication to advancing the mission of faith-based initiatives. Jaz is a respected leader within her community and a sought-after speaker and host for Christian organisations and churches.

Ali Campbell

Associate Tutor

Ali Campbell has worked in children’s and youth ministry for 27 years. After a career in the Ministry of Defence Ali studied for a Certificate in Youth Ministry with OASIS (1996 - 98). Ali went on to be a youth minister at a large church in West London during which time he was also leading children’s and youth work at the New Wine summer events. For nine years Ali was the Adviser for Children’s and Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Chichester, during which time he gained a Masters in Reflective Practice and Applied Theology. In 2014, Ali established The Resource - a Youth and Children’s Ministry Consultancy, to serve the local church through training, equipping events and mentoring and support for those working with children, young people and families. Ali has taught at various academic institutions over the last decade including, Reign Ministries, St Mellitus, Emmanuel College and Cliff College (where he was an adjunct tutor from 2019 - 2023). In July 2022, Ali was the founder of Paraklesis - The Association of Children’s, Youth and Family Ministers. Ali is married to Lisa and they have two teenage daughters."