MARTIN O’BRIEN

Martin knew from a young age that he would be involved in Church leadership, he had several prophecies confirming this. At the age of 17 he was involved in setting up an initiative called ‘Street Youth’ whose aim was to create a safe place where young people could hang out and find out more about Jesus. Alongside this he was part of a street evangelism team that regularly went out and spoke to people on the streets.

Martin with his then girlfriend Sally were involved in leading church youth groups from the age of 18. Under their leadership they were able to influence many young people with the love of God. About this time Sally taught Martin how to play piano and from that time Martin has been involved in worship teams, from playing in a team to leading teams in various places. Martin has a passion to facilitate the church by leading people into encountering God in sung worship.

In 1994 Martin and Sally were married in Yate, Bristol which is where Martin grew up. In 1998 after studying theology from home Martin was given a Licence to Minister from the Elim Pentecostal Church in his home church, GateWay Revival Church, Yate where he was already an Elder. At the start of 2000 Martin started working in a newly built young offenders institute locally as a Free Church Chaplain. He loved to serve both the staff and the young men pastorally. Having the privilege of leading dozens of young men to Christ. 

In 2001 Martin became a Minister in Training with the Elim Pentecostal Church and in 2005 was ordained. As Associate Minister of GateWay Revival Church, he was part of the redevelopment of the church building into a brand new 300 seater two storey centre. Alongside Rev Paul James Martin ministered in North America, Northern Ireland and various cities and towns in the UK.

Between 2008 and 2010 Martin was part of an Elim initiative called ‘Emerging Leaders’ where he was exposed to different kinds of leadership and initiatives. This was a valuable and stretching time.

In 2009 Martin, Sally and their children Emily, Tom and John moved to the island of Guernsey to become the Senior Minister of Delancey Elim Church. Time on the island was a fruitful one that saw Martin involved in a number of ventures. 

Wherever Martin ministers he has a desire to see people working together. In Yate and Guernsey he was involved in promoting togetherness of churches, knowing that working side by side, crossing denominational barriers is essential in making the name of Jesus known in any town or city.

In 2012 the family moved to Llanelli to work alongside Bill and Ellen Chapman. The moment Martin and Sally met Bill and Ellen and visited Llanelli they knew that God was calling them to join in the adventure of Myrtle House. 

Martin loves to talk about the Kingdom of God and about doing life together. He believes that as we come alongside each other we can make a difference and make the name of Jesus known, that by serving together we can see a community transformed by the power of God.