The Rev Andy Braunston is the pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Manchester. He was raised a Roman Catholic, gained his degree in theology from the University of Greenwich as well as Postgraduate Certificate in Education. He also holds the equivalent of a Diploma in Management from the Open University. Braunston founded the Metropolitan Community Church in East London in 1992 and moved to Manchester in 1996. He has served the wider Metropolitan Community Church in many ways over the years and currently serves on the Judiciary Committee of the denomination.