Nigel and Rachel both grew up in Dover. Rachel became a Christian as a young teenager, and Nigel around the age of 17. They now attend One Church Dover (the merge of The Ark and Living Well churches). 

They have two adult children, Emily and Joseph. Emily has graduated with a dance degree from Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. Joseph will study ‘International Relations’ at Pécs University from the Autumn term 2021. Emily was a Core Team leader at Rope Chapel – the Liverpool church plant led by Pastors Scott and Rachel Wellard. 

Nigel and Rachel both started their careers as primary school teachers (in different schools in Dover). Rachel spent a number of years as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. She is currently a dance teacher.  

Rachel served as joint National Children’s Leader of the AC UK with her friend Carol Jenkins. For a number of years they both visited Myanmar and have been consistent supporters of the ActionOverseas Yangon Children’s Home. 

Rachel has been involved in children’s work for many years and loves using performing arts to bring the message of hope to children and their families. Rachel has been involved in children’s work for many years and loves using performing arts to bring the message of hope to children and their families.

Nigel has been a pastor in the Apostolic Church since 2002, always being based in Dover. He served for a number of years as the Administrator for Action Overseas and recently was employed as their Eastern Europe Regional Missioner. During his time in this role he developed connections with church planters in Latvia, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Poland.

Nigel’s connection with Hungary began when a group of Hungarians used to visit Dover to improve their language skills. The Hungarian Christian charity ‘Way of Hope’ managed a programme for these young people, that included taking part in local church services. Soon after this, Pastor Warren Jones attended the 2004 Apostolic Conference in Prague.

This was a critical moment when connection between Warren and the Hungarian delegates was made. In the subsequent year, Nigel travelled with Warren to visit the Hungarian Apostolic Church for the first time in recent decades.

Nigel has a strong belief in the value of each person and the need for connected working. ‘I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow’ would be a favourite Bible verse.

The Bainbridge’s all love travelling, seeing new places and experiencing new cultures, their Yorkshire Terrier ‘Coco’ often comes along and is an important and noisy part of their family. 

June 2021 Sending Out Service