| Carl first moved to Sheldon in 1976 with his wife Sue and their infant daughter Sarah. Simon was born in 1978. At that point Carl was a Church Army Officer, having previously worked in the printing industry. |
| Carl set up the Society of Mary and Martha as an independent charity in 1987 as a very practical response to the needs he saw among people in Christian ministry going through stress or crisis. He eventually resigned his Church Army commission in 2000 when it became apparent that the new ministry to which God was calling him, fell outside the Church Army's remit. |
| Carl is a man with the big vision and a clear eye for the future - he has worked hard to build strong foundations for the organisation. Under his leadership over £2m has been raised and spent in making Sheldon what it is today. He was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Jubilee Birthday Honours. |
| Carl is responsible for all the one to one work with guests, both directly or through the supervision of other team members. He draws on particular experience in clinical theology, discernment of vocation, and broadly-based spiritual direction. |
| He has a particular gift for spotting hidden talent in people, and tends to gather a loyal and committed team around him. There are over 40 men and women in ministry around the country who have served time as a member of the Sheldon Community (or before 1991 as a member of the then Sheldon Family) or as a Sheldon volunteer. |
| Carl's private passions are growing tomatoes, letting off fireworks and reading "World's Fair". He loves big projects, but avoids the limelight. If you want a good party - Carl's your man. For giving rein to his inner child, there is nothing he enjoys more than a romp with his grandchildren - Charlotte and Sam. |
