Staff and Officers

Dyfrig is a native of the Gwendraeth Valley in Carmarthenshire, and was a minister in Llanbrynmair, Carno, Tumble, Llannon, Drefach, Ammanford and Bridgend. He was elected to his position in 2018 and began his work as General Secretary in September of that year.  He is married to Mandy and they have two sons; Rheinallt and Rhodri.  Dyfrig is a member of Tabernacle Church, Bridgend.

Revd Jill-Hailey Harries was born and raised in Pembrokeshire. She was ordained in 1986, and spent five years as a youth worker for the UWI.  For the last 34 years she has been in a full time minister in Llandovery, Whitland and now in Swansea and Morriston. 

Jill-Hailey was appointed Assets and Charities Officer in January 2025. This is a part time roll and she will continue as a minister of her pastorate. 

Rhodri Darcy joined the Union team during January 2016. Until then, he had spent the greater part of his career in the television industry and had presented and directed programmes in both Welsh and English. His duties with the Union include promoting the Historical, Peace and Women’s societies and their networks, developing communications and producing video and audio materials according to need. He is a member of the Evangelical Church at Ammanford.

Meinir Williams is the Union's part-time Administrative Officer

Meinir is originally from Hirwaun, Aberdare, and was brought up atending Siloa Chapel. For many years she has lived in Upper Tymbl Uchaf and is a member of  Bethania church.

Meinir had a succesful career as a teacher, most recently in Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant, Llanelli.

Elinor Wyn Reynolds joined the staff at Tŷ John Penri in May 2017. As an author, poet and editor, she brought with her a wealth of skills which she could contribute to the work of the Union. Her main responsibilities are the preparation of the Union’s Yearbook (Y Blwyddiadur), Union Matters and any other Union publications which may appear from time to time (excluding the annual reports). She also assists the General Secretary in coordinating the various strands of Union activity. Elinor is a member of the ‘Priordy’ Welsh Independent church at Carmarthen.

The Revd Carwyn Siddall, Llanuwchllyn is the Union’s Promotion of Ministry Coordinator. This is a part time post as he continues with the care of his churches in Penllyn, Meirionnydd. Carwyn is very well-known in our midst as an energetic and conscientious minister, one who is always ready to help the Union, he has served as an officer on the Churches and their Ministry Department and on the Executive Committee. 

The Revd Jeff Williams, Brecon is the new President of the Union. He made a substantial contribution in our midst as a minister, as a department officer and a member of the Council and the executive Committee, Because of his work with Christian Aid, he has grown to be a strong and safe leader with wise counsel on social matters. 

Beti-Wyn James comes from the Swansea Valley and was a staff member with the Union before she graduated from the Welsh Independents College in Aberystwyth.  She was ordained as a minister of Tabernacle Church, Barry, before moving to Carmarthen to pastor Y Priordy Church, Cana and Bancyfelin where she remains a minister.

The Revd Owain Llŷr Evans was raised in a few places; but the story starts in Clunderwen, Pembrokeshire, where his father, the Revd Byron Evans, was minister with the Baptists in Blaenconin; his mother, Anne, was an integral part of his father’s ministry over the years. Owain moved when he was three to Llanybydder, to Aberduar chapel. They moved again to Loughor and to Penuel chapel. Before moving once again from Wales to London, and from London to Swindon. Owain was baptised at Castle Street Baptist church, London, and this is where he was called to Christian ministry.

Owain has been a minister with Minny Street Independent Church, Cardiff for twenty years.  

He is also chair of the Churches and the Ministry Department at Council and a member of the Executive Committee, and is now president elect. 

Our times call for a lively, disciplined and intelligent expression of faith, so that we can ensure honest, fearless and enlightened testimony in order to follow Christ. As president elect, Owain’s true wish is to work in a bold and hopeful way to realise this. 

Geraint Rees was elected Union Treasurer in 2023. He was raised in the village of Efail Isaf, and in the local church Tabernacl. Geraint started his career as a teacher, later becoming headteacher. More recently he worked as professional consultant to the education minister having been leading education departments within various local authorities for a period of time previous to that. He is a member of the large team of volunteers who maintain the Tabernacl.