Tobias and Esther Buckley

  • 13 March 2025
  • Tobias Buckley

At the tail end of 2021, I was offered a job to set up and run a system where people at home could participate, interact with, pray and read the bible into a church, whilst sitting at home, (perhaps in their pyjamas). Three and a half years later, after three motorcycles, two helmets, a wedding and an entire career change, Esther and I are saying ‘see you later’ to the church we call home.

For a while, when I first joined SHAP, I still attended the evening service at my old church, and one day I learnt that Esther went to the cathedral every Sunday morning in the city. Part of it was the beautiful hymn music and grand organ that she enjoyed. So I invited her to St Michael’s, where I was working, thinking that she might enjoy hymn music and organ. By the end of morning tea, she was already in the band and seemingly ‘stuck’ as a member of St Michael’s and South Head Anglican. But truthfully, it was never my employment or the hymn music that kept us at SHAP, instead it was way in which this church community so amazingly opened its arms and loved and cared for me and Esther.

When SHAP was looking for a Children’s Minister about two years ago, Stuart asked me if I wanted to go off to Bible College and to train as the Student Children’s minister. Not exactly sure of what I was getting into, and in my second year of my Psychology degree at Macquarie University, I enrolled at Youthworks College.

The past two years have been such a joy and privilege, being able to immerse myself and learn not only theology and biblical understanding but also the practises and skills of ministry to children at bible college. But being able to spend each week practising and applying those skills at at South Head has been the greatest honour and experience. Being able to share and teach with our littlest sheep on a Sunday, watching kids dance and wiggle to God long before they are able to sing to me reflects so strongly the gospel of our Lord, so powerfully expressed in the community at South Head Anglican. That people are welcomed and loved so well, no matter their age, or stage, or history.

Last year I also had the amazing opportunity to spend a lot of time preaching, particularly at St Peter’s. To be able to spend so much time deep in God’s word and then to bring and share that with my Christian brothers and Sisters in an environment of encouragement, support and growth, I so deeply cherish. The way in which our SHAP community so thoroughly engages with the reading and teaching of scripture, in our services, bible studies and lives is a demonstration and reminder, to me, of the work of God’s word in transforming us toward Christ’s image.

Amongst that, having more and more noise, crying and children playing at the back of 10am at St Michael’s and the power of Kid’s Church in loving and caring for our little ones and wider community, I thank God for everyday. I hope you’ll join me in continuing to pray for the success and support of Kid’s Church at 10am, and the continued growth of young people at all our services.

This year, I have enrolled in an additional third and final year at Youthworks college in order to complete my Associate Degree of Ministry. As part of my study, and particularly while we are at a stage of life where its a bit easier to move around, Esther and I are looking to learn, experience and grow from a range of different ministry experiences and opportunities.

SHAP feels so very much like our church home, and we are so grateful for your love care and support. If you could please pray for us as we explore how and where we might best continue serve the Lord in our lives.