Bishop Hugh Gardner & Dr Deanne Gardner
Hubert (Hugh) Gardner committed his life to the Lord at the age of 14 and took membership at the New Testament Church of God (NTCG) in Stafford. From an early age he began teaching in Sunday school and gained Christian Training Certificates (CTC) and Diploma.
Upon leaving school Hugh pursued a career in catering and obtained several qualifications in food preparation and hotel management. Whilst working in the catering industry Hugh completed an Adult Teacher Training Certificate and also a certificate in mentoring that enabled him to make the transition into education.
In 2000 Hugh began work as mentor within school and over time gained several promotions and became Deputy Director for Learning Support and Student Support, and for the past 23 years has worked as a Pastoral Leader in a Church of England Academies Trust.
Alongside his work in school, Hugh has received a long serving volunteer award for his service as a volunteer for the Youth Justice Service, facilitating and leading restorative justice panels. Hugh also currently serves as a hospital chaplain in a mental health unit for mothers and babies and young people.
In 2002 Hugh became a Licensed Minister and subsequently progressed to Ordained Bishop in 2015.
Hugh is a former pastor of NTCG Rugby and during a time of sabbatical obtained BA (HONS) degree in contextual theology from Manchester University. He is a qualified youth worker, a past member of the NTCG Youth & Discipleship Board and is a facilitator at the NTCG Leadership Training Centre for the course ‘Equipping people for Ministry’.
Deanne came to faith as a young teenager under the Pastoral leadership of the late Pastor and Sister Strachan and the encouragement and guidance of Pastor Edward Benjamin (then youth director). Seeking to serve the Lord through serving others, Deanne has undertaken several roles in the local Churches within which she has worshipped, and these have included Sunday teacher, young women’s discipleship leader, worship team leader, and local women’s president.
Deanne is a qualified psychotherapist and clinical and pastoral supervisor and alongside running her private practice she currently works as a lecturer, teaching MSc students in the Psychotherapy and Counselling Programme at the University of Keele School of Medicine.
Deanne has a passion for promoting physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being and is Vice-chair for the Association of Pastoral Supervisors (APSE), an organisation that seeks to encourage individuals in vocational professions, where serving others is the focus of their work, to find space to be still, reflect and refuel.
Matthew 35:35-36 motivates Deanne’s passion for being alongside and serving others through the highs and lows of life, and believes that as Christians we have a responsibility to share the love of God within the communities in which the Lord places us.
For more than three decades Deanne has enjoyed her weekly/fortnightly commitment to voluntary work, that has included working with the Samaritans, Home-Start, and currently as an Independent Custody Visitor with Notts PCC.
Hugh and Deanne have been married for 40 years and have three grown up children, Nathan, Cornelia and Joshua. They are married to Hannah, Allan and Claire. Hugh and Deanne have also been blessed with three grandchildren, Jago, Imara and Dion.