Philip Mounstephen named Church Mission Society's executive leader

Posted Jul 2, 2012

The Rev. Philip Mounstephen. Photo/CMS

[Church Mission Society] International chaplain the Rev Philip Mounstephen to lead mission community with passion for the world to know Jesus.

Philip takes up the post of CMS executive leader after five years as chaplain of St Michael’s, Paris, a large multicultural church in the centre of the city. Here he has gained a reputation as a passionate and visionary leader who encourages and enables others to grow.

He described himself as “thrilled and delighted” to have been asked to lead the CMS community in mission.

“I look forward to working in life-changing mission with partners the world over who share our abiding passion – that the world would know Jesus Christ,” he said.

Philip is deeply committed to the church around the world. At St Michael’s he has seen significant success in building up a church community including French-, English- and Tamil-speaking congregations made up of over 40 nationalities. He has developed the church’s international connections in Africa and Asia and acted as consultant and companion to a Turkish-language church in Istanbul.

John Ripley, the Chair of CMS trustees, said that Philip emerged from a highly talented field of candidates as “a very strong communicator and influencer who we are confident will inspire the whole CMS community and engage all sorts of new audiences.”

Philip with wife Ruth and daughter KittyPhilip succeeds the Rt Rev Tim Dakin, who is now Bishop of Winchester. He is expected to start work with CMS during October when he will meet colleagues from the collaborative international network made up of CMS, CMS Africa, AsiaCMS and New Zealand CMS.

Philip’s past experience also includes a variety of positions at CPAS, including Acting General Director, and leading a multicultural church in Streatham, south London.

He is very much a ‘people person’ and his current role brings him into regular contact with everyone from the homeless to ambassadors. He is married to Ruth and father to 20-year-old Kitty. Among his many and varied interests are history, collecting vinyl records and supporting Newcastle United.


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