The biblical character popularly referred to as 'The Woman at the Well' is not usually described in leadership terms.

But Kate Coleman, who became chair of the Evangelical Alliance's Council in March, will be speaking at Greenbelt festival later this month about her and how God challenges our preconceptions when He inspires and affirms leaders.

Kate is the founder and director of Next Leadership, former president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (2006/7), and associate pastor of a church plant. Recognised as one of the most influential black Christian women leaders in the UK (Keep The Faith magazine issue 38, May 2008), Kate is a popular author, preacher, teacher, speaker, lecturer and strategic advisor.  

Greenbelt is a Christian event which takes place every year over the August Bank Holiday weekend and brings together artists, musicians, speakers and performers alongside 21,000 festival goers at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Kate said: "My appreciation of Greenbelt has grown over the years. It provides a unique and creative space in the world of Christian events for stretching the parameters of Christian reflection and activism.  

"Thankfully, I haven't had to camp out in order to enjoy it! At this year's Greenbelt festival I will be contributing to the Sunday morning service and giving a separate talk on leadership based on The Samaritan Woman, aka The Woman at the Well.  

"She is seldom thought of in leadership terms; indeed, she is popularly considered an outcast, a woman of dubious morals and questionable credentials. 

"However, the biblical evidence suggests she is simply yet another example of how God breaks the mould of our preconceptions by engaging, inspiring, affirming and releasing leadership, from unexpected contexts and under surprising circumstances." 

Kate joins a wide range of speakers at the event, including comedian Frank Skinner, Anglican priest Giles Fraser and Times religion correspondent Ruth Gledhill, as well as Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne.