WTC Staff

Jo Pestell - Director of Operations

Jo Pestell took up the post of Director of Operations for WTC in January 2008, moving from Swansea where she had undertaken a similar role for the Bible College of Wales since July 2004. Jo initially trained as a mathematician, completing a BSc Hons in Mathematics at Leeds University in 1993. Following this she worked for GEC-Marconi, now BAE SYSTEMS, on a variety of projects, gradually progressing into more project management roles. In 2000 she completed a part-time post graduate diploma through Coventry University in Integrated Project Management. The same year she became a Christian and started the ‘biggest adventure of her life’!

A clear call to full time Christian work came in 2001, and she began working for Christian Deaf Link as their first ever employee setting up all the systems to run the charity and completing a variety of projects as well as raising over £100,000 to continue the work. When she moved on to Swansea, she continued her involvement with the charity by becoming a Trustee. Jo has been involved in church leadership for the last 6 years, through leading small groups and being a Trustee and Treasurer. She is also an advisor to the BSL Bible Translation Project. Jo enjoys walking, photography and playing on the beach; and is really enjoying being an auntie for the first time to little Ella Poppy!

Melody Ball - PA to Principal

Melody joined the team in Sept 2009 after returning from Australia where she studied music and theology. Over the years she has enjoyed living in a variety of locations all over the U.K including seven years in the States. She is now happily settled in Cheltenham where she is an active member of her home church Trinity.

Alex Collishaw - Course Administrator

Alex joined WTC in Dec 2010 having been a full-time mum for the previous 7 years.  She studied Statistics & Operational Research at Uni before joining the Civil Service as a Government Statistician.  She has also worked as the Finance & Missions Administrator at St Mary’s Bryanston Square in London.  Alex has served with YWAM and has been on several overseas mission trips to Brazil, Mexico, Israel & Palestine & Uganda.   She is married to Ashley who is the Leader of Glenfall Church, part of the Trinity Cheltenham family of churches, and they have 3 young children Bryony, Benjamin & Zachary.

Chris Lang - Marketing 

Chris joined the WTC team in September 2010 to work in marketing and as the Hub Director for Gloucestershire. He has been part of Trinity Cheltenham for a number of years and has been involved in worship, Alpha and community outreach. Chris previously worked at New Wine, helping to run the summer conferences, and is involved in leader one of the youth venues. He is also very involved in worship, having worked with Catch the Fire, Elim, New Wine and Pioneer, as well as being involved in his home church. Chris spent time on mission in Italy with BMS World Mission, where he worked with a number of churches, helping to develop their outreach and music ministries. He also worked with Student Alpha while studying Psychology at Southampton. Chris recently completed a Masters in Marketing at Durham, where he specialised in consumer profiling and direct marketing.

Carl Palmer - IT Manager

Carl joined WTC in 2011, prior to this he was working in IT for the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Since leaving University Carl has worked in many fields of IT working for small Internet start ups through to large corporate organisations. Carl is actively involved at Trinity Church Cheltenham and is currently leading the Waterstone Cluster with his wife Jo. He has been involved in leading on Alpha,  disipleship courses and the young adults work. In his spare time Carl enjoys seeing friends, photography, mountain climbing and playing football.

Rosie Button - Librarian

Rosie joined WTC in November 2011, having recently returned from Uganda, where she and her family served for eight years as mission partners with Crosslinks. She was involved in theological education at Uganda Christian University, both teaching and ordering books for students and staff, as well as running a children’s library on the side. Previously she had been working for five years at Bishop Gaul Theological College in Zimbabwe, where she ran the college library. Her degree is in theology and she has an MA in Missiology from All Nations Christian College. She and her family have settled back in the UK at this point for family reasons, especially for her children’s secondary education. She is married to Dan, who is also involved in theological education, and they have two children, Abigail and Alex.