meet our team
Pastor BrianÂ
Somerville
CCi National Leader
A Co Down native who now lives near Derry City, Brian has been in full-time ministry since 2006. Formerly Lead Pastor, along with his wife Judith, of Cornerstone City Church, Brian served as Executive Director of CCi from 2018 to 2025, criss-crossing the country helping churches accelerate growth and missional systems.
More recently, Brian became part of the Executive Team of Open Arms Church, with a vocational focus on leadership development, mentoring and church planting preparation. In 2024, Brian graduated with an MA in Missional Leadership from Trinity Bible College and Graduate School. At home or abroad, Brian is a sought-after communicator, speaking in practical and often humorous ways, striving to ensure the wonders of God’s Word are accessible to all.
Brian is married to Judith and together they have four adult children, Sarah, Peter, Lucy & Charlotte. Family, faith, fresh air, fitness and food combine to become the things he loves the most.
Judith, a paediatric Occupational Therapist, will together, with Brian, play a key role on the National Leadership team of CCi.
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meet the
national leadership team
Pastors Brian & Judith Somerville
National Leaders
Brian and Judith, originally from Co. Down & Co. Antrim and now living near Derry City, have been actively involved in ministry since 2006. Formerly Lead Pastors of Cornerstone City Church, Brian served as the Executive Director of CCi from 2018, helping churches grow and thrive. He also serves on the Executive Team of Open Arms Church, focusing on leadership development and church planting. In 2024, Brian earned an MA in Missional Leadership from Trinity Bible College and Graduate School. Known for his practical and engaging communication style, Brian is a sought-after speaker at home and abroad. Brian became the National Leader of CCi in January 2025.
Judith, a paediatric Occupational Therapist, joins Brian in playing a vital role on the National Leadership Team of CCi. Together, they are passionate about their family, faith, and equipping others to serve God’s mission.
Pastors Niall & Ruth Byrne
National Leadership Team
Nialle and Ruth, along with their four children – Éire, Eilah, Saoirse, and Reuben – are deeply passionate about building the local church in rural Ireland and helping people experience hope and life transformation through Jesus Christ.
In 2013, God placed a vision on their hearts to plant a church in Tullow with the mission of reaching the region and impacting rural Ireland with the good news of Jesus.
Their desire is for people to discover the hope and life found in Jesus while building a life-giving church that inspires individuals to live out their God-given calling. With a heart for their community, they are committed to bringing hope and love to those around them.
Pastors Pawel & Patricja Garbowski
National Leadership Team
Pastors Pawel and Patrycja Garbowski are dedicated leaders at Abundant Life Limerick, a thriving and vibrant church committed to bringing hope and transformation to the community.
Pawel serves as the Lead Pastor and is a passionate communicator who loves to lead, equip, and empower people to embrace their God-given calling and reach their full potential. His vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping a dynamic church that inspires and uplifts.
Patrycja is the Next Gen Pastor, leading all ministries for those under the age of 18. Her passion and creativity ensure that children and youth experience church in a fresh and exciting way, fostering an environment where the next generation can thrive and grow in their faith.
Together, Pawel and Patrycja are dedicated to building a life-giving church at Abundant Life Limerick, where people of all ages can encounter Jesus, discover purpose, and make a difference.
our national
executive team
Meet our National Executive - new faces for new spaces.Â
meet the
National Lead for Prayer
Pastor Helen Cupples
National Leader for Prayer
Helen, along with her husband Paul, are the Senior Pastors of Grace Generation Church situated in Banbridge, Co Down, a lively congregation with a big heart for their world!
Helen will oversee the development and delivery of CCi’s National Prayer strategy and initiatives. Contact Helen via our contact form.
contact
meet the
National Leads for Church Planting
Pastors Barry & Karen Weir
National Leads for Church Planting
Barry and Karen are a well-known ministry couple throughout Ireland, passionate for the local church, carrying a huge heart for people everywhere. Together, they will help plant and establish new churches across the country through CCi’s Advance Church Planting initiative.
If you or your church is interested in finding our more about planting a church, or a second or more campus, then reach out to Barry and Karen below.
contact
meet the
National Lead for Generations
Pastors Phil & Ruth Rowntree
National Leads for Generations
Leading a vibrant, life-giving church in Dublin, Phil and Ruth have a huge heart to ensure spiritual progress across the generations.
From marriages, children and our own Young Arrows (CCi’s youth leadership ministry development programme) Phil and Ruth, along with their team, will endeavour to equip your church with the tools necessary to inform and inspire ministry to children, young adults and married couples.
Contact Phil & Ruth via our contact form.
contact
meet the
National Lead for Pastoral Care
Pastor Paul Cullen
National Lead for Pastoral Care
Paul oversees one church in three locations within the west of the country and together with a large and dedicated team, Paul ensures CCi ministers are prayerfully and practically supported through the seasons of life.
To find out more about how CCi pastors our pastors, reach out to Paul via our contact form.
contact
meet the
National Lead for Pulse Youth
Jake De Silva W
National Lead for PULSE youth
Passionate about stirring Divine potential within the lives of young people, Jake spearheads an equally passionate team of leaders who together create vibrant, faith-filled spaces to encounter Christ, calling and deeper commitment. Jake and his team are also committed to helping local church youth pastors and their teams grow and develop their local youth ministry.
If you’d like to contact Jake about Pulse or how CCi can help your local youth ministries via our contact form.
contact
meet the
National Lead for Next Steps
Emma Tucker
National Lead for Next Steps
A graduate of the CCI’s Academy Ministry and Leadership programme, and firmly embedded within St Mark’s Church community service team, Emma will help new churches assimilate within CCi, guiding new churches through the process from application to welcome.
If your church is considering joining CCi, then reach out to Emma via our contact form.
contact
meet the
Executive Assistant for EolasU
Toyin Etti
Executive Assistant for EolasU
While working full-time within the marketplace, Toyin is also part of the staff team at Discovery Church and CCi, helping to create and run Eolas U - CCi’s National Training and Development plan. Herself a former graduate of CCi’s Academy Ministry and Leadership programme, Toyin is a committed advocate of continuing education and also oversees the Academy Alumni.
To find out more about training opportunities and the Academy, then contact Toyin via our contact form.
contact
meet the
Executive Assistant for Cci & National Events Coordinator
Pastor Kristina Keen
Executive Assistant for CCI & National Events Coordinator
Preferring the close skies of Ireland for the blue vistas of sunny California, Kristina works alongside the team in Omagh Community Church. Her role within CCi is varied, and encompasses direction for all CCi national events, bringing her expertise, planning and direction to each.
Moreover, Kristina is also invaluable to our National Leader and will bring assistance to the role. Contact Kristina via our contact form.
contact