THE TEAM



  • Sam Douthwaite (lead ELDEr)

    Sam is married to Liz and they have two young children. He grew up in the West End of Newcastle and came to faith in his mid twenties. He subsequently left his career in software to establish and lead Street Pastors in Newcastle City Centre for seven years before accepting the invitation to give leadership to The Gateway Church. He enjoys helping people understand God's Word and is passionate about the church being a loving spiritual family, where all can find a supportive place to explore what it means to follow Jesus Christ. His role is focussed on chairing our team of elders who together provide spiritual direction and support for our church community, including our ministry leaders. 


  • Jim Hall (ELDER)

    Jim is married to Jessica and together they planted The Gateway Church. 

    Growing up on a farm, Jim left the rural life behind after heeding the call to become an evangelist. He's ministered all over the UK and beyond as an evangelist and church planter. He has a particular desire to see the church receive revelation on God's overall plan for world redemption, and walk in the fullness of her identity as a House of Prayer. Jim and Jessica have three sons, one daughter and thirteen grandchildren. 


  • Steve Gill (Elder)

    Steve is married to Rachel; they have four children and three grandchildren.  He came to faith as a young teenager and has been involved in evangelism, church planting, leadership and short-term overseas mission in several roles over the intervening years.  He has served at Emmanuel College, Gateshead, for more than 23 years as a teacher then as a Senior Leader and has now taken on the role of Student Welfare Officer, having retired from teaching.  He loves helping believers understand how to practically apply the teaching of the Bible in their own lives and has a particular passion for reality, integrity, transparency and humility to be modelled by church leadership 

  • Jonny Tuck (lead Deacon)

    Jonny has worked at King Edward VI School Morpeth and for Youth for Christ North East. More recently, he's served with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Jonny's role at Gateway is focussed on overseeing the logistical and operational aspects of our church life. He provides support for people looking to explore life in our church community and he oversees Tabitha's Place, which offers practical care to children and families in our wider community. He and his wife Shanagh have one young child. 

  • Kemi Olatunji (Deaconess)

    Kemi, having worked as a lecturer in Higher Education in Nigeria for ten years and subsequently in different care settings in Ireland and Newcastle has been prepared for her current role as a deaconess. Her main focus is to spend time with the Lord in the Word and in prayer, and from this place of communion, to reach out as the Lord leads. Kemi's goal is to see the oppressed set free and peoples' lives reflect the glory of the One who made them, mainly through the agency of prevailing prayer.


  • Liz Douthwaite (Director of kingdom kids)

    Liz oversees our Kingdom Kids children's ministry. She is married to Sam (Lead Elder) and is a mother to two young children. She is a photographer by profession and has worked as a lecturer in higher education. She has held a passion for working with children since a young age and is now a full time mother and homeschooler. She loves helping children have fun as they discover the life available to them through Jesus. She is also passionate about ensuring that every child who comes into our church family feels valued within our community. 

  • Judi Rockcliffe (Connections Coordinator)

    Judi is our Connections Coordinator and looks after the Gateway Church social media and communications. After a career in IT working in Europe and the UK, Judi had to retire early due to ill-health but can testify that God continues to move in her life to bring healing in spirit, soul and body. She loves to see the body of Christ continually growing in spiritual strength and every member being encouraged to use their spiritual gifts.