Lynn Howson: I have been involved in Christian ministry most of my married life alongside my husband Maurice and three lovely daughters. I pioneered the ministry of FireStarters in 1996 during a time of being involved with the King’s Kids ministry of Youth With A Mission and have led the ministry since then. We have had many adventures and faith challenges and it has been such a joy to see hundreds of young people gaining confidence in God and in their identity as His sons and daughters. We have also taken the love of God to people in many and varied communities across Scotland.
I love music and worshipping God, enjoy horse riding and cooking and always love spending time with my family and friends. I am also passionate about how God wants to move in the lives of young people across the nation. Exciting times.
| Andy Low:  I was born in 1964 and though I still consider myself a Canadian, I haven’t lived in Canada for over 20 years. Instead, I have worked mostly in the developing world with those on the margins of society.
My work has been varied; running orphanages in Mexico, medical clinics in Guatemala, developing local AID’s projects in Africa, rebuilding homes in Bosnia, to my current post overseeing the work of Glasgow City Mission with families and individuals struggling to find their place in the ‘community’ we call Glasgow. My efforts have been faith based since my conversion to Christ at the age of 18. My beliefs inspire me to serve those around me that might be considered to be the ‘least of these’ in our world. They also help me to see that each and every one of us is, at the heart, broken and in need of grace and forgiveness.
Aside from my day job I have been involved in numerous voluntary and local church projects in the countries I have lived in including FireStarters since the early days.On a typical FireStarters weekend you'll find me driving the van and in the kitchen, cooking for one or more teams, and often whipping up something with a mexican flavour!
I am happily married to Chris, and have four children all of whom are grown and are spread around the world. Chris and I plan to move back into overseas missions after 2010.
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John Kynaston: 'Hi I'm John Kynaston - I'm originally from Liverpool (though a keen Everton fan!) but have lived in various places in the UK - Chester, Lymington, Leicester, Paisley and overseas - Bangladesh and India.
I trained as a PE teacher but have had various jobs. I'm married to Katrina and all four of our girls have been involved with FireStarters over the past 7 years we have lived in Scotland.
For the past 7 years I have been Pastor of Hopehall Evangelical Church but I moved on from Hopehall at the end of August and I now work as an Active Schools Co-ordinator with West Dunbartonshire Council (2 days a week at present) and teach swimming the other days.
My big passion alongside my faith and commitment to Christ is my running. Over the past two years I have really got into ultra running, especially competing in the West Highland Way Race - a 95mile race which starts at 1am on the 3rd Saturday in June. This year (2008) I finished in 19hrs 59mins 33secs.
I really enjoy being part of the council of FireStarters and count it a priviledge to be able to support this tremendous work.' | Jeanette Allan: I am the newest Firestarters Director being privelaged to join the FS board in 2009. I have been involved in an adult support/mentor role for the last 4 years and previously encouraged many young people to come to Firestarters. I know of no other organisation that develops young leaders to be so passionate for God and develop a heart for mission while buidling friendships for life. My greatest desire is to lead people to Jesus and in the teams I support I encourage the team to learn how to give an effective testimony and to reach out to those who do not yet know Jesus. I also play the roles of mediator, counsellor, cleaner, cook and prankster in varying degress!
By profession I am a Head Occupational Therapist, working in the field of mental health. Enabling people with a lived experience of mental ill health to reach their maximum potential through whatever 'works' is a key principle in my recovery focussed practice. The arts have always been important to me and being the Renfrewshire Lead for the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival has been an exciting role. I play in a djembe drumming group called 'The Buddy Beat' which is in increasing demand at conferences and mental health events I am also a Life Coach and a Trainer.
Married to Jim for 26 years, he is chef proprieter of a cafe bistro called Nicaea. We have one daughter, Bethany, who is a Firestarters leader and we have a dog called Chocolate. |