Hamilton Community Baptist Church

I moved to Hamilton in October 2011 with my wife, Jess, and our three young daughters. We arrived from the Northern Territory, having spent nearly 11 years between Central Australia and the tropical islands in the top end. During that whole time I was employed as an NT police officer, while Jess remained at home caring for our children.

I resigned from the police force and we made the move, believing that God was stirring us and telling us to head in a new direction. In response to our prayers, we felt that God had released us from our situation and provided some clear leading and enabling for us to make the move to Hamilton.

Upon arriving in Hamilton, we began worshiping at Hamilton Community Baptist Church and sought to be involved with the ministry there. Both Jess and I have always had a keen interest in youth ministry and are passionate about seeing young people come into a relationship with Christ and grow in their faith. I first made contact with the youth group at the end of 2011 and was excited about the group of young people present and the ministry already taking place. I became involved with the youth ministry in this church at the beginning of this year, assisting with planning and organising activities, leading devotions and developing relationships with the youth.

When the leadership of the church approached me to consider taking on the part-time role as Youth Pastor, I was both very humbled and excited. After some prayerful consideration with my wife, I joyfully accepted the opportunity – which was later confirmed by the church membership.

I praise God for His sovereignty, and upon reflection can now see how He has been preparing my heart and my skill set through my training and life experience, for a role such as this. It is my prayer that God would use me to support and develop the ministry that He has already established through the church members who have been faithfully serving the young people. My desire is to see young people be transformed by meeting with Christ, growing in Christ and sharing Christ with their friends and peers.

Photos by Wendy Radley.