Gateshead Presbyterian Church is led by a group of elders (the word 'Presbyterian' comes from the Greek word for 'elder').  As a young congregation not yet established in its own right, this group of elders (called the 'session') consists of the minister and the three elders of its parent church, Durham Presbyterian Church: Rev B. Norton, Mr J. P. Winch, and Dr C. Bowerman.   

Rev W. M. (Bill) Schweitzer is originally from Florida, and came to this country as a US Marine Exchange officer to the Royal Air Force.  After leaving the services in 2005, he trained for the ministry at the Free Church of Scotland College and completed a PhD in systematic theology at Edinburgh University.  Bill is married to Pam, and they have five young children: Mark, Bethany, Mary, Anna and James.