Tell us a bit about you / your family

I’m married to Riley (as of September last year!) and we are really loving starting off our married life living in Vaucluse while Riley studies at Moore College and I work as an assistant minister at SHAP. My ideal day would have to include: the beach, a nap, a coffee with Riles, giving my indoor plants a little TLC, fresh sourdough, and seeing all my friends all at once for about 5 hours.

What do you most enjoy about ministry?

Getting to know people – especially those moments when you realise you’ve become brothers and sisters to each other.

How do you see the church being a light in the local community?

In a society that measures people by their achievements, prioritises the keeping up of appearances, and teaches that love has to be earned, our church can offer Jesus. I see our church bringing hope to those who feel like giving up, proclaiming truth to those who feel they have to pretend, and showing love to those who are lonely and lost.

How do you find refreshment for your soul?

Every now and then I take a morning to go somewhere beautiful, read something spiritual – a book or a poem, journal through some reflective questions, then pray and read the Psalms or a Gospel or Hebrews for a while!

Tell us about when you first knew and trusted the love of Jesus?

I grew up in a family that didn’t think or know very much about God, and so neither did I, until I met my best friend, Em, in the first week of high school. She invited me along to church for 5 years straight! This led to one day when I was in year 11, I realised that nothing and no one other than Jesus could fulfil the ‘gaping hole’ of needing to be loved that I felt I had had for so long.

What practices and habits help you to grow?

Quality time with God and quality time with precious friends who know me well and can ask insightful questions has helped me grow so much as a person! I’m not much of a habits person, but two things I try to do are ‘Bible with breakfast’ and going out for a ‘walk & pray’ when I’m working through a big decision.

Why is it important for the church to go and be on mission in the world?

So much of the world is still waiting in darkness for the news of Jesus to bring them new life. The church has the privilege of being Jesus’ hands and feet in this world and so we must take every opportunity we have to share the joy of knowing God’s love for us.