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Who We Are
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WHO WE ARE

Scotland is now widely recognised as a post-Christian society. Fewer than 2% of people identify as Evangelical Christians, and many communities have little meaningful exposure to a healthy, gospel-centred local church. While Scotland has a rich history of Christian influence, the present reality is one of spiritual need and cultural distance from the church. 

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The Ember Project exists to respond to this need. We believe the ordinary means God uses to bring lasting renewal is not programmes or short-term initiatives, but faithful pastors serving local congregations over time. Healthy churches require pastors who are grounded in Scripture, shaped by a life of personal devotion to Christ and committed to the spiritual care of a community in a post-Christian context. 

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By acclimatising pastors within the Wallyford Community Church and local partner churches and sending them out in teams to plant and revitalise churches, the Ember Project seeks to serve the long-term health and mission of the church in Scotland and beyond.

What We Do
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WHAT WE DO

The Ember Project exists to identify, train, and develop pastors from around the world, equipping them through Wallyford Community Church in East Lothian and in partnership with like-minded churches across Scotland. We believe pastors are best prepared for long-term ministry not through isolated programmes, but through deep formation within the life, rhythms, and accountability of the local church.

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Participants are equipped through hands-on pastoral experience, theological reflection, and intentional mentoring, with a strong emphasis on character, cultural humility, and faithfulness over time. This training takes place in real congregational contexts, allowing pastors and their families to grow in both competence and calling.

 

Because Scotland represents a distinct and often post-Christian context, we prioritise cultural understanding alongside theological preparation. Pastors, particularly those from international backgrounds, are intentionally trained to engage in the Scottish cultural landscape with clarity, sensitivity and conviction. Our aim is not simply to prepare leaders for ministry in general, but to equip them to communicate the gospel effectively and faithfully within the realities of Scottish life.

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Our aim is to develop godly, resilient ministry teams equipped to plant new churches and revitalise existing ones. By sending teams rather than individuals, and by working closely with partner churches and international networks, we seek to contribute to the long-term health and gospel growth of Scotland and beyond.

What We Believe
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WHAT WE BELIEVE

1. Scripture

The inspiration, inerrancy and infallibility of God's Word, the Bible, as originally given. The holy scripture is both vital and clear, and all Christians must submit to its supreme authority and sufficiency, both individually and corporately, in every matter of belief and conduct. 

3. Humanity

The inherent value of all human beings, made in the image of God, and their sinfulness and guilt since the fall of Adam. This has made them subject to God's wrath and condemnation and resulted in their alienation from Him, from one another, and from His creation.

5. Salvation

Salvation from sin's guilt, penalty, and consequences comes solely through the work of Jesus Christ - His perfect obedience, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and exaltation as the Lord. He alone is both fully God and fully man, the only mediator between God and humanity, and uniquely able to save all who come to God through Him. Salvation is found in no one else.

7. Holy Spirit

The necessity and sufficiency of the Holy Spirit's work for the individual's new birth, repentance, faith, union with Christ, and growth in maturity. He is also essential for the church's ongoing renewal in truth, unity, wisdom, faith, holiness, love, power, and mission.

9. Unity

The unity of the body of Christ is expressed within and between local churches through mutual love, care, encouragement, and shared action. True fellowship exists only where churches are faithful to the apostolic gospel.

2. God

The existence of one eternal and immutable God - the Holy Trinity - Creator and Lord of the universe. In the unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - three Persons of the same substance and equal in power and glory - He governs all things according to His will and is accomplishing His purposes in the world and in the church.

4. Christ

The essential, absolute, and eternal deity of the Lord Jesus Christ; His conception by the Holy Spirit, virgin birth, real yet sinless humanity, voluntary humiliation and obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death. Also His bodily resurrection, ascension, continuing ministry as Prophet, Priest, and King, and His future return in power and glory.

6. Justification

The justification of sinners comes entirely through the imputation of Christ's righteousness to them and of their sin's guilt and penalty to Him. This is received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

8. Church

The universal church, of which Christ is the head, includes all of God's people. It reveals God's ultimate purpose to unite all things under Christ. The church is visible in local congregations and the global communion of those who profess the true faith. It exists to declare God's praise, defend the faith, and proclaim the gospel to the lost.

10. Return of Christ

The personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ in glory. He will raise the dead, complete salvation and judgement, grant eternal life to believers, and consign unbelievers to everlasting punishment. God will then fully establish His kingdom in new heavens and a new earth - free from evil, suffering, and death - where He will be glorified forever.

Leadership Team

LEADERSHIP TEAM

John Tellis

John is a Scotsman who was brought up in South Africa. He has 27 years of experience in the business world and 15 years in Church leadership. He is also a part of Biblical Ministries Worldwide.

Coming Soon

John Tellis

Project Lead

John Dunlop

John was brought up in the North East of Scotland, and studied in Edinburgh and is a Partner at an Edinburgh Law Firm.. He has also been a Elder at WCC for 15  years.

John Dunlop

Joining Sept 2026

Wayne has been the senior Pastor at Carrubbers Christian Centre in Edinburgh for over 30 years. A New Yorker by birth and originally an engineer by trade, Wayne brings a wealth of experience to the leadership team.

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Wayne Sutton

Coming Soon

STAFF

Phil and Helene

Phil & Helaine DeMarte

Phil and Helaine have been church planters/revitalizers working with Biblical Ministries Worldwide for the past 6 years in France. Prior to serving in France, they both were involved in formal and informal local church ministries. In addition, Phil has 16 years’ experience in carpentry.

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Ruth Donnelly

Part-Time Human Resources

Ruth has 25 years experience in running HR Departments at Edinburgh University.

Mackenzie Beemer

Mackenzie Beemer

Part-Time Marketing

Mackenzie is a full-time missionary with Word of Life United Kingdom, partnering with the Ember Project to advance opportunities for youth Gospel advancement within church planting.

Our Partnering Churches

OUR PARTNERING CHURCHES

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