Helping people find their Christian voice
Mike Leigh, is an Anglican priest who expresses his ministry by helping people to build community and self-confidence through singing.
Mike will be leading a Singing weekend retreat at Foxhill, Daresbury from 29 to 31 May 2026.
Titled Singing for the Soul it promises to be a joyful, praise‑filled weekend of easy‑to‑learn, harmony‑rich songs.
With a rich musical background, Mike worked professionally in the world of opera music, but he went on to chose a different path, answering a deeper calling to become an ordained minister in the Church of England. That decision didn’t mean leaving music behind, it transformed the way he uses it.
After 18 years in parish ministry and five formative years as Chaplain at the Scargill Community, today Mike blends his musical expertise with his ministry by teaching natural voice singing which is about finding our authentic voice, being ourselves and recognising that we are all beautiful, made in God’s image.
Mike has a view that many people say that they don’t sing because they've been told, or think, that they don't have a nice voice, or because they can’t read music or haven’t had singing lessons.
Mike's approach is to reconnect people with their authentic selves, free from judgment or fear. In his sessions, everyone is welcome, whether they’ve never sung before or believe they can’t sing. There’s no sheet music, no pressure, and no expectation of perfection, just the joy of singing together.
What makes Mike’s work truly stand out is the way he weaves spirituality into the experience. Singing becomes more than music, it becomes a space for reflection, connection, and encountering God. Participants learn to be attentive not just to the sound, but to themselves, to one another, and to the world around them.
"For me, singing is something that gives me so much joy and hope. It combines so many different aspects of what I feel it means to be a minister in the church. From helping people come close to God, to reflecting on our faith and learning about how we connect as human beings. It gives us confidence and a deep sense of peace.
Of you would like to discover a new way of singing and expressing your inner faith, why not join Mike on his Singing for the Soul retreat.
14 April 2026