Rev. David Hinchliffe

It is lovely to be back in the North East! I was born and raised in Sheffield, went to university in Leeds, and then aged 23, was sent to the Wesley Study Centre in Durham where I spent three years in formation as a Methodist Presbyter. Those three years included working on placement at Bishop Auckland Methodist Church, and on researching the relationship between the English Churches and the European Union.

After having gradually moved north, I was stationed to the South! My probationer’s appointment was in the Southampton District, then we moved to commuter-belt Surrey, followed by ten years as the Chair of the Channel Islands District. For the last six years I served as Chair of the South East District – which included me being Methodist Superintendent for Malta, and for a time Superintendent for Gibraltar too. You can’t get much further south than that within British Methodism!!

So what about me as well as about work?!

I am married to Kathryn (who also comes from Sheffield). We have two adult children (which makes me feel very old to say that!) – Rachel works in York, and Jonathan lives with us.

I am fascinated by Second World War history. I love classical music, theatre and film. Thankfully, I love trains (a great time to move to Darlington!!!), in fact, travel generally. And, like many ministers, I love a good murder mystery (novel, for clarity’s sake).

It’s also a privilege to part of a world-wide Christian family. I have been blessed to have been enabled to take part in a ministerial
exchange to Dodge City, Kansas (yes, the real one!) and to study in the USA, exploring in particular, how we grow disciples in British Methodism today. I have also been committed to helping support Ministers exercise their ministry, and in encouraging those who want to explore their calling from God to serve in whatever way God is calling them – whether lay or ordained. How is God calling
you?! I have been honoured to represent the British Methodist Church at Methodist Conferences in Brazil. And serving in the Channel Islands and oversight of Malta and Gibraltar, is a reminder that British Methodism itself is an international church!

I was encouraged to read from John Wesley’s Journal - his entry for 10th June 1788: “We went through one of the pleasantest
countries I ever saw, to Darlington.” Well, with that recommendation… 😉

It is a great delight to have returned to the North-East. It’s been a joy to rediscover familiar places, and to explore new places. It is
a delight to be in the Darlington and Teesdale Circuit and I look forward to all that God has in store for us.

Grace and peace to you.