Leadership Team
Jenny & Darren Pepper
Jenny and Darren are privileged to serve as the senior leaders of The Vine Community Church.
They each bring different experiences and perspectives to their leadership. Jenny grew up in a Christian family, while Darren came to know Jesus at the age of 18 and is a first-generation follower of Christ, having not grown up in a Christian home. His journey into faith shapes a deep desire to help others explore and discover Jesus for themselves. Together, they share a heart for helping people discover faith, grow in community, and find their place within the life of the church.
Jenny leads much of the church’s social outreach, including the Assist support service and dementia support groups, and has a deep passion for serving and supporting the local community.
Darren has a background in education and now works nationally within the Education Software and Services sector. Alongside this, he is committed to teaching, leadership, and helping the church engage thoughtfully with the world around us.
Jenny and Darren have been married for over 25 years and have two children, Alice and Andrew. Together, they are committed to serving both the church family and the wider community with warmth, openness, and a desire to see people flourish and grow in Jesus.
Our Wider Leadership and Volunteer Team
The life of The Vine Community Church is not carried by one or two people, but by a wide team of leaders and volunteers who faithfully serve in many different ways.
We are incredibly grateful for those who lead and support the ongoing life of the church — including youth and children’s work, midweek groups, worship teams, hospitality, and pastoral care.
Alongside this, many others serve behind the scenes: setting up and packing down each Sunday, running the community library, supporting Assist groups, preparing refreshments, washing up, stacking chairs, and helping with countless practical tasks that make church life possible.
These roles may not always be visible, but they are deeply valued. Each person plays an important part in creating a welcoming, caring, and active church community.
We want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who gives their time, energy, and gifts — you are greatly appreciated.
Previous Leadership
Veronica & Dave Podbury
Veronica and Dave Podbury faithfully led The Vine Community Church for fifteen years, concluding their time in October 2018.
During their leadership, they played a significant role in shaping the life and direction of the church, helping to build a strong foundation of faith, community, and outreach that continues today.
Veronica holds a Master’s degree in Theological and Pastoral Studies from the University of Nottingham and has served in church leadership since 2000. Alongside her ministry, she has worked in education and is also a writer.
Dave has many years of experience in leading worship and developing Christian outreach for both children and adults. He has also held a number of senior management roles, most recently as an Associate Director within an NHS Trust.
Together, Dave and Veronica have three sons, Duncan, Ben and Sam, along with daughters-in-law Susanna and Nena, and a growing family of grandchildren — Reuben, Barnaby, Will, Noah and Emilia. Many of their family members continue to be actively involved in churches in the UK and the USA.
In October 2018, Dave and Veronica stepped down from leading The Vine to focus on new ministry opportunities. We remain deeply thankful for their faithful service and bless them as they continue the next chapter of their journey.