theproGnosis began in March 2007 by one man’s vision. That man got together two of his mates in a coffee shop, who rattled their brains to come up with a name that describes what they intended to do. Since they are progressive and aiming to further their knowledge of God and the Christian faith (gnosis is Greek for knowledge) they came up with proGnosis. They roped in two of their other mates and started a group blog. When another mate started making perceptive comments they asked him to join. Then they decided they wanted to do more than just a blog and so they relaunched in April 2008 with articles, videos sermons and songs to download.
Our Profiles (in alphabetical order):
Name: Tom Clewer
Lives: Porthcawl
Interests: Walking, books, music, guitar, rugby.
About: A former Brummie with some Anglican influences! Lived in Aberystwyth for several years where he studied Geography. Now studying at WEST, married to Laura and leader of a church in Porthcawl.
Name: Sammy Davies
Lives: Llandybie
Interests: None, he’s just not interesting! (or alternatively I heart Jesus, Charlotte and Ffosi Arth)
About: A celebrated physicist, Sammy Davies Jr. uses an unquestionably scientific, logical approach at tackling the big questions of his generation. His flare with words and quick whit helped him gain status during his four years studying the most fundamental of sciences at one of Britain’s top academic institutions (Warwick). But it wasn’t until he fought for his right to study philosophy side by side with his physics that he really shone. Sammy Davies is a modern day John Locke, pushing the boundaries of human intellectual endeavour to previously unimagined limits. Sammy has his own blog at saintbeagle
Name: Jonny Raine
Lives: Cardiff
Interests: Surfing, Reading, Punk Rock, Coffee, Art.
About: Having spent most of his developing years in front of the TV, Jonny has a wealth of useless knowledge. When he finally got off the couch, he left England and studied some Fine Art degree in some university in Newport, South Wales (the land of his fathers) and hasn’t been able to leave the country since. Jonny’s creative comedy is so surreal that often no one even gets it and his mischevious rebellious streak is always getting him in trouble. He is now learning stuff at the Theology College in Bridgend, is married to his wife (who is now called Mrs Raine) and is currently exploring the possibility of planting a church.
Lives:London (But hopes to be back in Wales soon!)
Interests: Jesus, Jenny, Books, Rugby, the protest movement to never see Jamie Robinson in a Welsh Rugby shirt ever again.
About: A twenty something that knows less than he thinks and speaks about more than he understands. He works for a church in cardiff, and is learning more and more every day – very aware that he is a building site. Prematurely balding and with more than the occasional passing resemblance to moby, if he had his time again he would dedicate his teenage years to creatine and protein and so fulfill the ambition of being a professional rugby player (the modern game is all about being a fat fast man). None of this defines him though. Jesus does.
Name: Jon Thomas
Lives: Ammanford
Interests: Music, missional church.
About: Jon is the only official pastor on the blog. He is married to beautiful Becca, works as a church Pastor in wonderful west Wales, enjoys exposition, reading, drinking coffee, gardening (if you believe that …!), listening to music, trying to play music, and becoming a U2 expert.
Name: Huwie Williams
Lives: Occasionally. Usually kills time.
Interests:
About: A blues-guitar-playing, Hemingway-reading, singer-songwriting discontent. A coffee-guzzling, Moleskine-scribbling, would-be poet. Often found at the opera, often found feeling sorry for himself. An orchestra-conducting, jazz-piano-playing, Bible-reading introspective, with a weakness for Converse All-Stars. Lives in his head more than is healthy. Likes to think he’s more complicated than he is. Frequently grumpy, occasionally amusing, usually scruffy, sometimes happy. Bouts of self-loathing leave him open to deleting old blog posts en masse.
