If you want to know what our guests have to say, then take 90 seconds to watch the video below.
Find out what they think about Bible study and worship fitting into a relaxed holiday.
Scroll further down the page for a list of 2023 speakers and worship leaders.
Every week at Le Pas Opton you’ll find quality Bible teaching with popular speakers from Spring Harvest and other Christian organisations. Our optional morning Bible study gives you an opportunity to grab a coffee and croissant and enjoy the teaching on offer.
The topics are thought provoking and provide spiritual food for the day. With kids’ clubs running concurrently with the Bible studies (from May half term to 2 September), you can sit back and relax with the peace of mind that our team of children’s workers are looking after your little ones.
Then, later in the day, evening celebrations are a great place to join with family and new friends for a short time of worship, prayer and a short talk.
On Sunday morning the week culminates in a family celebration, with kids presenting a drama, song or story from their groups. The whole service is family-focused, with all-age worship, prayer and preaching.
Tom has been a Baptist minister for over 30 years. Prior to becoming Minister of a church in Heathfield East Sussex four years ago, he worked for nearly seven years as Hospice Chaplain in Eastbourne. Married to Ruth, he has two children called Helen & Mark, as well as seven grandchildren.
David & Melanie have been sharing their faith and encouraging fellow pilgrims on their journey with Jesus for more than 30 years. They have served in church leadership and worked for various Christian trusts and charities. David is a song writer and musician who has also written several murder-mystery plays!
Andy
Peck has served as a pastor in three independent churches in the south and is
the author of a number of books on Bible based themes. He worked at CWR (now
Waverley Abbey Trust) for 14 years leading a variety of courses including
retreat days, weekends and days on Spiritual Formation and training in
Spiritual Direction. He is currently an editor and presenter with Premier Radio
and also part of a team of writers of the Every Day with Jesus daily reading
notes.
He and his wife Nic, have two 'boys' aged 18 and 20 and live in Reigate, Surrey. In his spare time he runs, cycles, golfs, and follows Everton Football Club.
Having always had a passion for worship and music Susan transitioned from children’s work to Worship leader in the early millennium within the Vineyard Movement and currently at St Paul’s Salisbury.
Her desire remains in seeing people respond to Gods love in worship.
Bob is part of the leadership team at Youth for Christ where he oversees all their missional and evangelistic ministry, whether that be face to face through events and residentials, through to their engagement with young people online, as well as training others to do likewise. He is married to the beautiful Bec, and they have a little boy called Reuben. On a side note, he recently completed an MA in Mission, is an ex-LPO Programme Manager, and can’t resist a good cup of coffee.
Paul is a singer and songwriter who has performed at Spring Harvest many times. He heads up the Worship Team at Ashwood Church in Nottinghamshire, UK. Paul is married to Zoe and they have three daughters.
Ruth is the Families Pastor at Woodlands Church in Bristol where she lives with her husband, 2 children and a crazy Cockerpoo called Cookie.
Ruth is also part of the speaking team for Parenting for Faith, and particularly enjoys seeing parents, churches and church leaders inspired, equipped and encouraged in their discipleship journey together - pursuing a life of faith, connection and relationship with Jesus.
Luke is a London based singer, songwriter and worship leader. His journey has seen him live in five countries, spending many years in Botswana before settling in the UK in his teens. As well as writing and performing his own music, Luke is passionate about leading worship and has been involved in leading at churches, events and festivals across the UK and Europe.
Bio - Matt is the Senior Pastor at Testwood Baptist Church just outside of southampton, he is married to Emma and they have three children, Jonah, Lucy and Ava. Matt likes football and supports Southampton Football Club. Matt has a passion for growing leaders and supporting the church as it steps into that which God has in store. Matt loves to preach and teach God’s word and has served at Testwood for over 10 years.
Chris is an athletic performance coach for Bath Rugby, a Premiership rugby team based in the south west and has a huge love for all things sport, fitness and worship! He has led worship for 5 years, currently leading at Woodlands Church Bristol, and has a heart for seeing others encounter Jesus through worship.
Rachael is CEO of Saltmine Theatre Company. She has also been a speaker at Spring Harvest for many years. Passionate about the Bible, creative communication and building God's church, she's been a regular favourite at LPO for many years.
Dave and Ruth Stephenson are part of the leadership team at Rising Brook Church in Stafford. Dave is a minister and Ruth heads up the Children, Youth and Family department. Together they have worked with Spring Harvest in some capacity for the last 17 years and are excited to return to LPO for more worship and fun during Creative week. They can usually be spotted with their three children in tow; Morley (12), Erin (10) and Tilly (9).
Joe and Stacey live in Loughborough with their 2 brilliant boys. The first decade of their married life was spent serving on the Senior Leadership Team at Open Heaven, where they co-led its 18-30s congregation until last year. Since moving on from those roles, they are pursuing the call to love where they live, with a shared heart for community engagement and justice. They home educate their children which makes for a wonderful adventure as a family. Joe spent 3 summers as a courier at LPO, a long time ago!
Sue loves LPO and has led worship as well as spoken at LPO over the years. She travels internationally to help churches and individuals develop their worship. She also works with our sister companies in the Essential Christian group to develop artists and music products.
Brian leads the team at Newton Mearns Baptist church in Glasgow and is involved with Spring Harvest.
A former fisherman, he likes the challenge of teaching the Bible in today’s society. Married to Janet, they have two children who are LPO fans!
Pete James is the creative behind the charity Swell Revolution. His 12 years as a worship pastor have equipped Pete to create songs, stories and video resources to help all ages grow in their faith. He leads worship frequently in his local church and at festivals and events. He is keen biker and boarder and enjoys snow and water sports.
Lisa is a Baptist Minister with over 25 years experience. She has recently joined the National Team of the Baptist Union of Scotland prioritising caring for ministers & encouraging spiritual formation & discipleship. She’s also part of the Spring Harvest Planning Group & a member of the EA Council. She is married to Mike with 2 young adult children, loves music, the outdoors and drinking coffee.
Sam Hibbard is a worship leader, songwriter and young adult development worker from Scotland. Sam has travelled around the Uk and oversees leading worship and sharing his music. He recently supported Martin Smith at his Glasgow show. He is passionate about creating environments for people to encounter God’s love and freedom.
Erin Ralph is a trained Opera singer and Barista from the North East of Scotland. Originally from Lossiemouth, now living in Aberdeen. She is currently working with the Baptist Union of Scotland team, alongside being a barista in a new coffee shop. She loves people and enjoys good food, coffee and music.
Damian is the general director of Scripture Union Northern Ireland who have a vision to see all people transformed by God’s good news.
In his spare time you’ll find him spending time with his family, going out for a run or drinking good coffee!
Jafeth and Sifra are passionate about worship, music and God's world. They are the heart of Dutch worship band Insalvation. Jafeth wrote the song Fill this House with your Glory which has been recorded on Spring Harvest's live album by Kees Kraayenoord. They are fluent in English and looking forward to leading an international gathering in praise. Jafeth & Sifra have two young daughters.
Clive is a Baptist Regional Minister who has led and planted a number of churches in a lifetime of Christian leadership. Passionate about Jesus, his Church and his disciples, he has preached, taught and trained Christian leaders and teams in the UK and internationally.
Dave and Bettina have been leaders of the French worship band "Antydot" for 20 years. They love to bring people closer to God through worship and song and also love to worship with their 3 children.
Gavin is the CEO of the Evangelical Alliance and has been involved with Spring Harvest for most of his life. He is passionate about seeing the local Church fulfil its calling to take the gospel of Jesus into every community.
Anne is pioneering Unleashed Church, and has co-authored three books. She is passionate about seeing people meet Jesus and released to grow into all their potential in Him.
Kees grew up in the traditional Dutch Reformed Church. After work with YWAM and a calling to be a worship leader, Kees now leads worship both in his native Netherlands and internationally (he has released several albums). Kees and Nicole founded, and now pastor, a church movement in The Netherlands called Mozaiek.
Martin has been leading the work of Rising Brook Church in Stafford for over 20 years with an emphasis on church planting, social transformation and cross-cultural mission overseas. He is now working with churches and leaders, pursuing evangelism, and running projects that engage people with the creativity of the Kingdom of Heaven. He is the Chair of the Spring Harvest Board of Directors.
Stuart Barbour is the worship pastor at The Point Church in Burgess Hill which is a fresh expressions church plant and is part of the Church of England. He will be bringing his wife, son and daughter who love Le Pas Opton and are really looking forward to being back again in 2023. He will also be joined by musicians from both the UK and France.
Phil Knox is the head of mission to young adults at the Evangelical Alliance. He lives to see people come to know Jesus and Christians inspired and equipped to share their faith.
He has a passion for his generation, the local church, loves learning and has degrees in law and mission and evangelism.
Phil is married to Dani and they have two sons, Caleb and Jos.
Cathy is a singer and songwriter, working in acoustic and dance music.
She is also a worship leader and part of Revelation Church, Chichester.
Cathy tours UK churches, partnering with MAF to promote their vital work in the developing world.
Pete and Nicki are Senior Leaders of Skylark International, a relational network of churches, charities and ministries with a vision to rebuild ruins, build bridges and create culture in the UK and beyond. Together, they also lead Skylark Church in Chelmsford, a vibrant church family committed to taking God’s love and hope into every arena of society. Pete and Nicki are passionate about the local church as a change-agent in the world and love equipping people to live out their faith wherever God has placed them. They are proud parents to two daughters, Aria and Seren, who keep them on their toes!
IDMC includes up to 25 members from various Christian backgrounds plus a small group of professional musicians. They have amassed nine albums including one recorded at Le Pas Opton in 2012.
The choir were finalists in BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year in 2018 when they also won Premier Radio’s Gospel Choir of the Year and an Urban Music Award for Best Gospel Act 2018.
Helen and Tim Miller are both lecturers in Applied Theology at Moorlands College, Christchurch. They are part of Bournemouth Community Church and are involved in the preaching and teaching there. Tim is working on a doctorate in the area of charismatic preaching. Helen’s PhD is published in the book Flexible Church: Being the Church in the Contemporary World. Both are passionate about helping people see more of God’s work and character through the Bible and unpacking Scripture’s relevance for the whole of life. They enjoy getting out running, biking and, when the weather is good, sea swimming.
Ben is the Worship Pastor at City Rise, St. Mark's Battersea, London, a part of the HTB network. He has been leading worship for nine years and has trained with the Worship Central Academy and the New Wine Worship Foundation. Ben is married to Jen and they have two young children, Winston and Carla.
Jean is a Guernsey man serving as vicar of St Francis Church, Salisbury. Sue and Jean have 4 children who love making music together. Whenever possible, Jean enjoys riding his motorbike – and praying!
Matt is a worship leader from Scarborough, North Yorkshire and regularly leads worship at Ebenezer Baptist Church and Hope Whitby. Along with his wife Emily, they run Re-fuel worship ministry and lead a young adults group at their local church.
When he’s not lecturing at Moorlands College or doing an archaeological dig in Gallilee, Dr Chris Sinkinson may be found playing board games.
He has written various books and articles, and also speaks at churches and events and on radio, around the UK and beyond.
Bob and Rachel Retallick-Cheel are worship leaders at St Boniface Church, Quinton. Founding members of worship collective MULTITUDE, they have also led worship at events for British Youth For Christ and Moorlands Bible College.
Patrick and Patricia Berthalon have been married for 42 years and are the parents of three boys and grandparents of 10 grandchildren.
Patrick has served in the pastoral ministry for 43 years following a year at the IBTI, Burgess Hill, England, and 3 years at the Continental Theological College in Brussels, Belgium. This year he plans to retire and focus on serving a local fellowship. For the last 6 years they have planted a brand-new church in Bordeaux which now has its own pastor and building. Patrick and Patricia have hearts is to mentor and train the next generation of leaders.
Phil is the Worship Director at All Saints Worcester a CofE resourcing church. Having trained at Moorlands College and the Worship Foundation; Phil is passionate about equipping and coaching local worship leaders and teams.
