Menai Anglican Church has a great team of pastors.
Rob Barrie - Senior Pastor
It has been my great joy to be the minister here since the church began in the rumpus room of an Illawong house back in 1982. During this time I have had the opportunity to meet and serve many residents and I have seen Menai grow from a fledgling suburb of 7,700 to its current size of about 35,000. I feel privilidged to be in the position where I am now marrying young people whom I baptised twenty or so years ago... a bit like the old fashioned family doctor who is involved in all of the life stages of his patients.
I strongly believe that for a church to be healthy and alive all of the members need to be exercising whatever gifts God has given them so that the whole church will build itself up in love and fulfill its mission. My constant challenge has been to build a strong and caring church family that is always seeking to bring more people to faith in Christ.
My family is very important to me. I'm married to Carol and we have four children, three of whom are married. We have two grandchildren and another on the way.
I have been a golfer for 46 years. I love my early morning walks and never tire of learning about the complexity, beauty and diversity of God's creation. I especially enjoy reading about scientific discovery and astronomy. Despite the struggles and disappointments of life I still love ‘the colours of life’ and find every new day a source of wonder and thankfulness to God."
Above all else I thank God that, in Christ I have forgiveness and eternal life.
Best Regards in Christ, Rob
Tim Hudson - Associate Pastor
Tim serves as the associate pastor. His main responsibilities include teaching and preaching, training and co-ordinating the church small groups. Tim’s passion is to see the people of God growing in knowledge and faith and love and especially to see individuals experience the power of God in their lives so as to make godly personal changes. Tim did his theological training at Moore College and his Counselling M.A. in the States with Larry Crabb. Tim is married to Margaret. They have three young adult children Ben, Kate and Paul. For recreation Tim is learning to fly (a radio controlled plane).
Steve Wakeford - Youth and young adults pastor
Steve is married to Nonie, who is spectacularly beautiful on the inside and on the outside! They have 3 boys: Ben who's 9; Nochi who's 7 and Daniel who's 4. Steve pastors the Saturday night congregation and youth and young adults community. He loves lots of things - hanging out with his family, his congregation and youth leaders who are just awesome people! Steve loves U2, good coffee and shooting feral pigs from the back of his ute. Steve also loves preaching the gospel about Jesus so that people can get to know him before they meet him and so that they can grow in him while they're still here!
Paul Lucas - Young Families pastor
Paul's role invovles looking after young families. He also has responsibility for the congregation that meets on Sunday morning at 9.45am. "We want to see people grow in their passion for Christ as they serve Him and His body, the church. We also want to see young families becoming places where a solid foundation of faith and belief in Jesus Christ can be nurtured." Paul completed his studies at Moore Theologicl College in 2005 with a BTh. He is married to Narelle and they have three children, Demi, Braydon and Josiah.
Simon Owen (Simmo) - Youth Minister
Simon has recently graduated from Youthworks College and is currently studying the Advanced Diploma of Theology part time. Simon's new role is the youth co-ordinator which involves working alongside leaders in our youth ministries and co-ordinating high school scripture and campone. Simon is recently married to his new wife Angela. His passions include golf,surfing, soccer and making sure young people hear about and understand Jesus.
Jenny Barrie - Children's Minister
Jen's role involves co-ordinating Kid's Church and teaching scripture classes. Jen has completed a Master of Teaching in Dance & Drama and is now studying at Youthworks part-time doing a Diploma of Theology. Jen loves spending time with children and sharing God's love with them. As a child the first Bible verse that she ever read for herself was: 1 John 3:1 See how much the father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called children of God and that is what we are.
Denise Gellett - Office Administrator
Denise is married to Jim with 3 sons – Paul, Matthew and Neil and daughter-in-laws, Christie, Simone and Yolande. Love spending time with my two grandchildren, Lani and Joshua. Denise has served at St. Paul’s for 26 years as Secretary/Office Administrator; enjoying every minute as she loves assisting and helping where she is able. Outside the office but still part of the church, Denise has been involved in the Children’s Ministry on Sunday mornings for 26 years and a member of the Ladies Fellowship Dinner team, Small Group Leader. She has a desire to see others know Christ personally. Denise loves spending time with family and friends, reading, gardening, cross words and for creativeness embroidery, cross stitch and tapestry.