Dr Ian Drysdale (Clerk of Session)
Ian became a Christian when he was 18 and joined Woodlands in 1977 when it was a Church Extension Charge. He married Rae in 1981 and both have served God in a variety of ministries in Woodlands eg Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, Holiday Bible Clubs. Ian was called to be an elder in 1981 and has been Clerk of Session since 2006. His main interest is in teaching God’s word whether in Cell groups or public preaching. He also has interests in discipleship and church growth. After 39 years in the classroom, including 17 as vice Principal - he joyfully retired in August 2017. He presently serves on the SU East Antrim District Support team. Ian and Rae have two adult children, Peter and Alison who are both married.
Desy Hawthorne
Desy became a Christian over 55 years ago at his home church’s youth fellowship Easter Conference in 1967. He married Dee and came to live in Carrickfergus in 1973 joining First Presbyterian Church in the town and getting involved in the Boys’ Brigade there. Desy joined Woodlands in October 1978 when the new church building opened and down the years has served the Lord on church committee as well as an Officer and, for a time, Captain of 5th Carrickfergus BB Company. He was ordained as an Elder in 1987 being Clerk of Session for 13 years. Currently he is involved in several aspects of the ministry in Woodlands. He is retired after many years as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with his own business in the town and in his family life he has 3 married sons with 11 grandchildren.
Rick Gibson
Rick came to faith in 2014 and has been attending Woodlands since 2017. He's an officer in the B.B and also a member of Woodlands committee team. He is married to Heather and they have three beautiful children Jonah, Joel and Clara. Rick is a keen Manchester United fan and also coaches under 10's at Carrick Rangers Academy.
John Morgan
John has lived in the Carrickfergus area most of his life coming to Woodlands from a young age. He became an elder in 2007 and is currently involved in the Small Groups ministry. John and his wife Kirsty have three boys, Sam, Jake, and Tom.
Robert Morgan
Robert has lived in the Carrickfergus area most of his life. Married to Karen with three married children John, Rachael and Peter. He joined Woodlands in 1984 and became an elder in 1990.
Brian Ingram
Brian and Norma and their four children joined Woodlands Presbyterian Church in 1986 having both come to faith in 1982. They have twelve wonderful grandchildren. Brian became a church elder in 1996 and is currently a cell group leader and Designated Person for the Safeguarding of children and adults at risk.
Nathan McConnell
Nathan came to know Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour as a 16 year old after fully understanding the gospel message . He has been attending Woodlands since 2012 and it is here where he met his wife Lynsey. Together they have a 4 year old boy called Elijah and as a family they love every aspect of church life. Away from church life Nathan is a school teacher in East Belfast and has a passion for sport and particularly football where he enjoys being involved in coaching all age groups.
Andrew McCorkell
I have attended woodlands since 2013 along with my wife Rachel. We both became members in 2016 and have had 3 children in our time here - Luke, Rebekah and Noah. When not working I enjoy spending time out and about with the family. I have enjoyed serving in the small group bible studies, learning and teaching and enjoying fellowship with other believers. I am so pleased that I can bring my wife and kids to a church that is Bible affirming and Christ centred.
Peter Drysdale
Peter is married to Catrina and has been a member of Woodlands from a young age. He has been involved in a support role in various ministries over the years and became an elder in 2022. Outside church he works as a business analyst and enjoys reading, writing and technology.
Graham Hawthorne
Graham is married to Judith and has three beautiful daughters: Gracie, and twins Elsa and Evie and is foster daddy to Mark. Outside of Woodlands, Graham works in special needs teaching in Roddensvale School where he is on the Senior Leadership Team, heading up the Senior School. This passion for special needs goes beyond the home and classroom as Graham is actively involved in developing ministry to children and young people with special needs through training church leaders and ministry workers to become more inclusive in their ministry. Graham grew up within Woodlands congregation and has been Musical Director of Woodlands since January 1998 and, working alongside Leslie, has developed the music, musicians and support team to enable the church body to become an authentic worshipping community. Graham became an elder in June 2016.
Robin Scott
Robin came to faith in 1978 during a mission in his home congregation. In 1985 he left retail management to commence theological studies at Bible College in England. He is married to Joy and they have two daughters, Gillian and Judith. They joined the Woodlands family in 1989. Over the years he has been actively involved in church activities, Sunday school, Christianity Explored and committee. In 2007 Robin was ordained as an elder and enjoys being part of a community that are keen to share their faith with those who attend Woodlands but are also keen to live out their faith in the market place of life. Robin is the Chief Executive of Prison Fellowship Northern Ireland a Christian ministry to prisoners, former prisoners and their families.
Marty Holmes
I love this Church and the variety of people within… I am married to Maggi and have two grown ups, Mark, who is still living at home and Jenna living and working in London. Although retired, my wife finds plenty for me to do. I play golf (sometimes well) and love all sport. God is doing great things in and through our fellowship, but my yearning is to see everyone who can, be involved in some type of Ministry. Let’s continue to see Woodlands grow in Grace and Mercy.
Jonny Addis
Jonny is married to Olivia and has been attending Woodlands for over 20 years, becoming an elder in 2022. Outside of church life, Jonny is a teacher at Whitehead Primary School and has a keen interest in sports.
Myles Tyrell
Myles is married to Ali and joined Woodlands in 2007 after a mission trip to Thailand. He has been involved in youth work since 2008 and became Youth Pastor at Woodlands in 2013. Myles became an elder in 2016 and is thankful to be part of a church family which prioritises discipleship and the faithful preaching of the Word of God. He also enjoys reading, walking the dog and is a keen supporter of Liverpool FC.
Brian Allen
I am a sinner saved by the Grace and Mercy of God. And I thank Him for it every day! My wife, Naomi, started bringing our daughter, Jessica, to Mothers and toddlers in Woodlands over 20 years ago and met and was befriended by some of the wonderfully Godly ladies there who went on to invite her to a Christianity Explored course which God used to open both her and subsequently my eyes to our need of a saviour! I will be eternally grateful to those ladies who faithfully serve in that wonderful ministry, and have been privileged to be a part of the Woodlands community of faith for over 15 years now, growing, learning and serving along side ordinary people with extraordinary stories. Jessica is now 26 and a teacher in a local school and our son, Andrew, is 22 and training to be a teacher in Nottingham.
Stuart McCullough
Stuart is married to Emma and they have 1 son Judah. He became a Christian in secondary school and has been attending Woodlands since 2007. He currently leads in Youth Fellowship and shares in the teaching ministry in the congregation. Outside of church life he works as a respiratory physiotherapist in the Ulster Hospital and his main interests are sport, music and reading.
Jonny Parkes
Jonny is married to Lois and they have 2 children, Alfie and Eliza. He has been connected to Woodlands most of his life, coming up through BB and Youth Fellowship, becoming a Christian at the age of 17. He is part of the praise band in Woodlands and became an elder in 2022. Outside of church life he works in a local school and his main interests are sports, photography, graphic design and music.