Meet the team

Hello from the Ywam Derby Team. We welcome new people and look forward to meeting you and getting to know you. Let?s begin that journey by introducing ourselves, our passion for God and some of the desires he has placed within us.

Paul and Karen Way

We grew up in the same town in The Lake District and have been married since 1984. We have a daughter Rachel who lives and works in Asia and a son Matt who serves with a Christian youth charity in London.

We did our DTS as a family in 1993 because God has called us to serve him in Cities, and in 1994 moved to the city of Derby. Over the years God has shaped us through our serving here and together we lead Ywam Derby.

Paul's passion is to see young people discover God's love for them and he is committed to show God's heart to them as he walks with them through life's challenges and painful struggles. He has pioneered several ministries in the city that demonstrates God's love in practical ways to the broken and poor in spirit. Paul also loves coffee and has an 'office' at The Big Blue Coffee Shop where he is well known and meets with many people there.

I, Karen am passionate about discipleship, empowering people of all ages to discover God's love for them and their God given identity, gifts and purpose, and then equipping and releasing them to run with God the race he has set before them. My heart beats with 'family' both our own children, and those God has entrusted to our care over the years and it's my privilege to be a 'mum' to many.

We love the city of Derby. Jeremiah 29v7 "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you in exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

Martha Valecillos

Hi, I am Martha from Venezuela and I have a wonderful young adult son who still lives in Venezuela. I did my DTS (Disciple Training School) in Merida, Venezuela in 1992-93, since then I've been working with YWAM and I had the privilege to have worked in three different continents with wonderful people from whom I have learnt a lot. I'm currently doing my SBS through internet, which has been a wonderful challenge where I have the pleasure of knowing God deeper and deeper as I dig more and more into His word.

I love God's creativity in creating so many nations with different cultures, languages, costumes and food.

I have a heart for the nations, especially those in Asia.

I enjoy living in the multicultural city of Derby where I could walk in Normanton road and find that the next five people ahead of me speak a complete different language from each other. It is said that there are more than 60 languages spoken in this place. The smell of food from different restaurants from Pakistan, India, Kurdistan, Bangladesh, Afghanisthan, etc. as well as the different dresses they wear make this city a portray of God's creativity and a place where the nations are right on our doorstep. I enjoy getting to know different cultures as well as helping out those who are in the minorities.

Jesus Christ is worthy, He is my life!

Rosie Virgo

Hi I'm Rosie. I came into YWAM in the summer of 1984, straight into outreach on the streets in Nottingham with a big drama called Toymaker. That first week I led 2 people to Christ and I've been in YWAM ever since.

I did my Discipleship Training School at The Kings Lodge, in Nuneaton, England in 1985 with an outreach in Copenhagen Denmark. Again I was involved in leading 2 people to know Jesus and they were both baptised in the Hold Sprit too. I think I became spoilt for anything else but following Jesus and seeing lives changed through encounter with Him Later in 1985 I went on a small team to South East Asia travelling to Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and India...lots more stories! An amazing time.

I am passionate about the people's of the Indian subcontinent, and my cooking is mostly Malaysian. Before coming to Derby in December 2009 I was leading the work in Birmingham. I had a team of ladies from local churches and we ran Living Alternatives Pregnancy Assistance Centre, offering free pregnancy tests and advice. We also had a small team offering general counselling, called Charis Counselling.

Now I am here in the multicultural city of Derby, in beautiful Derbyshire. I enjoy giving hospitality, horse riding, spending time with friends and family and living this life God has given me! I am passionate about worship, prayer and intercession, the prophetic, and pastoral care. Although I am partially sighted and that poses some challenges, I love serving the Lord as a YWAMer and living here in Derby

"I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance-to the full, till it overflows. I am the Good Shepherd"
John 10:10,11

Sumalee

Hello, I am Sumalee from Thailand. Before I came to England I helped YWAM with translation in the Salam ministry in Bangkok. When I arrived in UK in 1998 I lived in Harpenden and studied ECO (English Cultural Orientation School) and the Redeeming cultural school. That was an amazing and eye-opening school.

I did my DTS at the King's Lodge in 1999 and went to Kosovo on outreach where I really experienced God's broken heart for these people. From there I joined a pioneering team, and began a ministry reaching out to the ladies who are involved in prostitution and needy families on a deprived housing estate in partnership with an Anglican Church in Nottingham.

I have been in Derby since 2003. My passion is 'The Nations' intercession, prayer and hospitality. I love coffee and food and I like to spend quality time with people especially one on one. Children are very dear to me, as are young people and families. I share Jesus with everyone I meet. I enjoy serving my church as part of the youth team.

I have worked on DTS training and am involved in intercession and hospitality at the heart of base life as well as events and conferences we host.

Rob and Sandy Hobbs

We are Rob and Sandi Hobbs, and God never allows us to do things in the normal way! We are the family from 3 continents, and have a passion for seeing lives and situations around us changed for the better. We have worked on DTS's, personnel, and led many outreach teams to Denmark, Albania, Argentina to name a few. We've been in Derby for 11 years and in YWAM for 21 years -- how did that happen so quickly?

Rob is a wild and crazy extravert Londoner, who loves anything to do with people and coffee! I did my DTS at Holmsted Manor in January, 1990, School of Evangelism in Copenhagen, and Basic Leadership School at Holmsted. I'm on the national YWAM leadership, and spend a lot of my time travelling to different YWAM teams in England, seeing people and drinking coffee, making sure things are working well. I am also involved locally with Derby City Chaplaincy at the market, our local church, and seemingly half the youth in Derby inhabit our house at some time in the week!

Sandi is a bit quieter, but loves a coffee and chat with people, as well. I did my DTS at Holmsted Manor in August 1990, followed by the Basic Leadship School. When we moved to Derby in January 2000, I took several years out home schooling our family, and now I work nationally with YWAM on booking public relation events, sorting out Criminal Records Bureau checks, and safeguarding. I'm also involved in worship in our local church, Derby City Chaplaincy, and (watch this space) a pregnancy advice centre opening up later this year!

The story of our lives: opposites attract! Ask us for the (differing) stories how we got together! God's got an amazing sense of humour!