Our Senior Minister
Rev Steve Abbott | In his former life Steve was an engineering draftsman – he then trained at Moore Theological College for Anglican Ministry and graduated in 1977. He completed his Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena USA in 2000. Ministry experience includes local Anglican Church ministry in the suburbs of Sydney, the South Coast of NSW and in Pittsburgh USA; itinerate evangelism and training with the Sydney Diocese Department of Evangelism; and he is the author of “Everyday Evangelism”, a lifestyle personal witnessing training tool. |
Associate Minister
| Born in Singapore, but in Sydney since 2 years old, Jon is definitely an Aussie Chinese and a Sydney boy! Whilst studying Social Work at UNSW, Jon was convicted about serving God in full time ministry. So after working as a hospital Social Worker, he left something good for something even better, to serve in Cristian ministry. First, a 2 year ministry apprenticeship (MTS at UNSW). Then a bachelor of divinity from Moore College, serving in Anglican Ministry at parishes of Enfield (2007-08); North Sydney (2009-11). Jon is married to Lika, they have a daughter, Joanna and a son, Joshua. As an Aussie Chinese, Jon loves watching & discussing sport of all kinds, jogging, golf, TV, eating good food! He loves seeing the Lord bringing people of all backgrounds into his Kingdom, & seeing congregations becoming more multicultural. Bible teaching and training are some of Jon’s particular ministry interests. |
Assistant Minister | During his first year at the University of Melbourne, Chris came to understand that he didn't need to struggle to earn God's approval, but that God already loved him and accepted him, because of what Jesus had already done for him. The more Chris became aware of God's love for him guaranteed by Jesus, the more he experienced joy and peace in place of fear and insecurities. Dreams of becoming an archaeologist in the Middle-East were replaced by a deeper desire to help others know Jesus, and know him deeply. He met Emily (from Ohio) and they bonded over their mutual loves for Jesus and for teaching and encouraging young adults. They were married in 2010, and have enjoyed a whirlwind of adventures since, teaching English in South Korea, studying and working in Boston where Chris got his Master of Divinity from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, raising their son, Trace, and now joining the ministry of St Matt's. Chris is grateful and excited by the opportunity to invest in and serve with the young adults of St Matt's. Together, Chris and Emily love food, sport and exercise (because of all the food), sit-coms, and reading fiction, and Trace loves balls, birds and blueberries. |
Youth
| Geoff was converted through the faithful witness of Christian teachers at high school, inspiring him to become a teacher himself. He taught Physics, Chemistry and Junior Science, firstly at North Sydney Girls, then at Normanhurst Boys and later at Scots College. He has led on beach missions, ISCF and CRU camps and assisted with a variety of lunchtime Christian groups. He has been on short –term missions to PNG, Tanzania and China. |
Chinese Minister
| Clarence was born in Hong Kong and finished his tertiary study in Canada. He then worked in Hong Kong and finally settled in Australia and called it home in 1990. Clarence is married to Doris and together they have a daughter Nicole and a son Mitchell. Doris is a real estate agent, Nicole is studying International Studies at UNSW and Mitchell is in year 11 of high school. Clarence loves movies, good food, coffee, going to the gym, reading, and making and fixing things. There are still some of his carpentry pieces in his house, however some, such as Nicole’s teddy bear bed and Mitchell’s Thomas the Tank bed, did not survive. Clarence had worked in the I.T. industry for more than twenty years before he studied counselling and theology. Being trained in counselling and theology, Clarence is keen to apply what he has learned to shepherd the Chinese congregation. |
Asian Congregation
Rev Kenny Liew | Kenny is married to Loretta and they currently have six children. Kenny graduated from Moore College in 2007 after a two-year MTS apprenticeship. At the moment, he enjoys hanging around his family at Lake Parramatta, catching up with people at church or for coffee, going to garage sales and eating a good curry |
Pastoral Care / Seniors
| Pauline began working in the parish on April 2nd, 2013, at that time she lived in Roseville but has recently moved into ARV at Castle Hill and loves being close enough to be much more involved in parish life. Widowed in 2002, Pauline has four married children and eight grandchildren. She has a background in general nursing but made a career change in her mid-thirties to teaching fine needlework at TAFE. She has been working in Pastoral Care for the past ten years Pauline enjoys quilt-making and admits that this leaves little room for other hobbies, though she enjoys reading, music and of late has begun swimming for an hour each morning. Pauline’s passion is that women should be in a deeper relationship with God through meeting with him as they read his word. She is part of St Matt’s ministry team as a part-time pastoral care minister, focussing on women; she works three days a week, (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday). Pauline attends both Wednesday Church and the 8 am Sunday morning service. |
Pastoral Care / Young Women
| Julie and Dave have been attending St Matts for over 20 years, arriving as a young married couple. It’s a place they both love, having received much support and care in raising their three (now adult) daughters Amy, Emily and Tahlia. Currently they lead together a Young Adult Community Group (Bible Study). Julie is a trained primary teacher, choosing to work part-time so as to have more time for ministry. She has had many years of beach mission experience and served on NSW Scripture Union Family Mission Committee and St Matt’s Parish Council at various times. Julie was involved in the establishing of Cubby Club (now Matt’s for Minis playgroup) in1989 and is delighted to be involved again, in a pastoral role. She has a real passion for encouraging young mums and helping them through the early and demanding years. More recently she has been a leader with Bible Study Fellowship. When time permits Julie loves to dig in the garden, read a book or go on a long bush walk with her husband .. or dog! |
Children’s Ministries
| Jacki Hellstrom has been coming to St Matts for over 19 years. Within that time she has been involved in all aspects of Children’s ministry from Matts for Minis to Sunday School teaching and running services. Jacki has a degree in ‘Early Childhood’ and has been a teacher / director of a child care centre, and has worked in preschool. She was previously an adviser for Macquarie University in the early childhood environment. Jacki is married to Mick and is a mother of four children. She continues to pray for wisdom as she raises them towards and through the teenage years. In June 2009 Jacki commenced working as the Children’s Ministry co-ordinator at St Matts. Her area of responsibility covers children’s activities between 0 and 12 years of age. This includes the Sunday School program and crèche at our 9am and 10am services, and a crèche is available at our 5pm service. It also includes activities for children in primary school – Arvo Club for K-yr4; and the new group – FUSE: for children in yr 5 and 6 |
Communications
Rebecca (BJ) Yap | BJ, (formerly Bec Johnson) is happily married to Tim and has two young daughters, Bella (aged 5) and Jess (aged 2). She started attending St Matts 6 years ago and now lives in Baulkham Hills. BJ has been appointed as the Publications and Communications Officer at St Matts, where she works alongside Kat. After gaining her degree in Early Childhood Education from Macquarie University in 2003, BJ was, previously, a Preschool teacher at Christ Church St Ives Preschool. BJ adores sweet food, especially chocolate & will often choose a restaurant purely on its dessert menu! (So…) she goes to gym several times a week, and enjoys boxing classes. On the weekends BJ loves to spend time with her family, as well as catching up with her friends and their families. BJ was very privileged to grow up in a Christian household and has been going to church all her life. Every day she learns a bit more of what Jesus has done for her and what that means for life. Tim, Bella Jess and BJ currently attend the 10am service. |
Office Administrator
| Kat is married to Dan and they attend Cherrybrook Anglican Church, (CAC). Dan is the Youth & Young Adults Pastor there. Kat loves music, movies, reading, computer games, and watching soccer. Enjoys a good gourmet pizza, and also coffee with friends. During the week, Kat works in the St Matts’ Office dealing with day to day matters, such as enquiries, mail, telephone, information as well as finance. She provides support for the ministry team, voluntary workers and members of the St Matthews community. Kat finds it a privilege to serve so many people in such a myriad of ways. |
Ministry Trainee
Jie Yeo | Hey everyone, I'm Jie and I'm the ministry apprentice at St Matt's. Previously I was working as a physio, treating and helping people get back from their injuries in sport, work and general life. As it is the gospel that saves and lasts for eternity, I decided to do MTS to put all my time and effort into getting trained, teaching the bible so that many can come to know Jesus and grow to love God. In my spare time I love watching/playing sport, mainly basketball and the NBA. |
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