About

The centre is a research organisation and think tank on the global persecution of Christians.

The name Lindisfarne is used to highlight the crisis of church life and theology precipitated by the 793 CE attack on the monastery at Lindisfarne and subsequent Viking attacks on churches and Christian institutions across Britain which lasted until 1018. According to the early 12th century historian Symeon of Durham these almost eradicated Christianity in parts of Northern Britain. In particular, the name highlights the broadly similar situations of violence, persecution and attempted eradication being faced by Christians today in a number of Islamic contexts such as Iraq, Northern Nigeria and Syria.

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…they destroyed the churches and the monasteries far and wide with fire and sword, leaving nothing remaining save bare unroofed walls; and so thoroughly did they do their work that even our own present generation can seldom discover in those places any conclusive memorial of their ancient dignity, sometimes none.

(Simeon of Durham, early 12th century historian on the Viking invasion 867AD which eradicated Christianity in parts of England)

The centre exists to report on the persecution of Christians with a particular focus on contexts where persecution is ideologically driven by radical Islam.

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People

Dr Martin Parsons

CEO and director

Martin has a PhD in Christian and Islamic Theology which aimed to help the persecuted church express biblical beliefs in local rather than western forms. He is the author of two academic books. He has also lived and worked in two Islamic countries where Christians faced discrimination or persecution. Martin has acted as an expert witness in a number of high profile court cases involving freedom of religion for Christians. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and has also been elected as a practising member of the Academy of Experts, the professional body for expert witnesses (MAE).

Adrien Garnier

Research Associate

Adrien has a Masters’ degree in International Relations. He formerly worked with the French diplomatic service and has lived and worked in two Islamic countries.

Non executive directors

David Charlwood

(Chair of trustees) David is a historian whose books include a study of the Armenian Genocide. He previously worked as a researcher and writer for a charity supporting persecuted Christians.

Chris Martin

Chris worked in management roles in local government and industry before becoming church partnership manager for a Christian organisation supporting persecuted Christians. He is currently the lead elder for a Baptist church. (responsible for corporate ethics and designated safeguarding trustee).

Other members of the council of reference

Andrea Minichiello Williams, barrister and CEO of Christian Concern.
Rev Dr David Hull, Methodist minister, chair of Methodist Evangelicals Together, council member of the Evangelical Alliance.
Professor Peter G Riddell is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities, Professorial Research Associate in the Department of History at SOAS University of London and Senior Research Fellow of the Australian College of Theology.
The Baroness Caroline Cox, Founder President of Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust.