YBA releases Alex Harris into a new role with St Hild Centre for Church Planting

For many years the YBA has been strengthened through its strong partnership with St Hild College. We’ve been an integral part of the College since its inception, as co-sponsors of the Centre for Baptist Ministry but especially through our involvement with the Centre for Church Planting, where Alex has played a key role in facilitating a step change in planting and revitalisation across the region.

We’re now pleased to announce that from January 2026, Alex will be released into a new 0.5 role within CCP, as Director of Church Planting. He has been invited to bring fresh energy and strategic leadership to its existing pathways and programmes, alongside help everyone everywhere reimagine how they might actively participate in the mission of God by starting new worshipping communities across the North and beyond.

In this new role Alex will lead a team that includes Christian Selvaratnam who is the existing Dean of Church Planting, and Abby Harris (no relation). In the New Year, he will seek to expand the team further with the appointment of a Programme Development Lead, whose role will be to generate additional resources to equip local church planters.

‘We see this as an exciting new chapter in the YBA vision to make disciples by multiplying healthy churches across Yorkshire’, said Graham Ensor who leads the YBA Team. ‘Releasing Alex accelerates and expands our mission to bring gospel hope throughout the region. We’re also delighted to deepen our partnership with St Hild who share our passion for training and equipping missional leaders and church planters.

Alongside this appointment Alex will continue as an integral part of the YBA team, serving as a Regional Minister, with an ongoing focus on starting new churches and Christian communities. Please do pray for Alex as he pivots into this expanded role while also being fully engaged with and committed to his ministry within Yorkshire.