The Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, has appointed Reverend Les Isaac OBE as a new Ecumenical Canon to Southwark Cathedral.

The Revd Les Isaac

The Revd Les Isaac was born in Antigua and came to the United Kingdom as a young child, growing up in north London with his parents. He experienced gangs and street violence in his teens, becoming a Rastafarian in his search for hope. Then in his late teens Les became a Christian. This radical life changing experience inspired him to always seek ways to engage with the same hard-to-reach communities that he came from; he is committed to sharing not only the spiritual relevance of the gospel message but also the very practical message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He has been a minister for over 35 years and is currently a member of the Pastoral Team at the Church of God of Prophecy in Battersea, South London. He is Chief Executive Officer of Ascension Trust which he founded over 20 years ago. He was awarded an OBE in 2012 for his work as the Head of Ascension Trust. Les co-founded the Street Pastors Initiative in 2003 as a response to the growing concern for the problems of gun and knife crime, binge drinking, gang culture, loneliness, violence and anti-social behaviour on our high streets. There are now other national and international initiatives: School Pastors, College Pastors, Rail Pastors and Response Pastors. He is married to Louise and they have two children, both of whom are married.