Our Team
With decades of collective experience across churches in Australia and New Zealand, our team is deeply committed to the wellbeing of leaders and the health of the Church. We bring practical wisdom, thoughtful listening and a genuine passion for walking alongside leaders through the complexity of ministry.
Peter Mayrick — Executive Director
Peter has been ‘walking beside’ church leaders since 2012 and leads the team at Partners in Ministry as the Chief Executive. Peter has a background in organisational leadership, people management, marketing and training having worked for over two decades in the pharmaceutical industry in Australia, New Zealand and across Southeast Asia. He finished up in pharmaceuticals as the leader of Australia and New Zealand for Inova Pharmaceuticals. Since then he has dedicated himself to supporting church leaders to lead well and in spiritual and personal health. Peter currently serves as a director on the Boards of Partners in Ministry, Sustainable Development Group, and Magnify Research (National Church Life Survey).
Peter is a trained church consultant, leadership coach, pastoral supervisor and expert trainer. His undergraduate degree was in Science and since then he has competed a Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision (Pastoral), a Graduate Diploma in Management and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
After twelve years working with church leaders and churches across a range of denominations and countries Peter is very grateful to God for the development of Partners in Ministry and the faithful and capable team that God has brought together.
He has a huge desire to see the church of Jesus Christ flourish and to see the leaders God has appointed to be healthy and effective in their leadership. He believes that leading a church is one of the most challenging roles - with too many church leaders suffering from burnout and imposter syndrome. Peter is committed to seeing more and more church leaders flourish under God. This is what Partners in Ministry is all about!
Arthur Conomos — QLD State Leader
Arthur draws on his leadership experience from commercial, church and Not-for-Profit settings to develop and equip Church leaders to apply their skills and gifts in enhancing ministry. Arthur also has significant board and governance experience, having served on church boards/elderships as well as having served on a variety of Not-for Profit boards.
Arthur is a qualified professional pastoral supervisor and a member of the Australian Association of Supervisors. He is also a qualified CPA.
Arthur leads the Partners in Ministry team in Queensland. He works with clients in the areas of coaching, mentoring, and supervision, and has a particular interest and expertise in the areas of team leadership, culture setting, staff development, and having difficult conversations in the workplace well.
Arthur has a passion for not only helping clients in their vocational leadership, but working on strategies to help them stay physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy both at home and in their vocation.
Annie Layton — VIC State Leader
Annie brings over 30 years of pastoral leadership experience, having served as Senior Pastor, Worship Pastor, and Church Planter across multiple denominations. From Baptist to Pentecostal, she has successfully navigated the challenges of female pastoral leadership in Australia, gaining deep insight into the complexities, opportunities and richness that comes with leading in diverse church contexts.
At heart, Annie is about real conversations and honest leadership. She helps leaders slow down, reflect, and lead from a place of strength and purpose. She values honesty over image, authenticity over the highlight reel, and creates spaces where leaders can be real, grow, and step confidently into their calling.
With qualifications in theology, advanced professional supervision and coaching, Annie moved from church ministry to establish her own leadership consultancy, then partnering with various organisations such as the Christian Coaching Institute (now Arrow) as a coach and trainer.
Today, Annie leads Partners In Ministry’s Church Leaders Stream nationally, overseeing supervision, coaching, mentoring, and spiritual direction across Australia. She also serves as State Director for Victoria, bringing together pastoral wisdom, professional expertise, and a deeply relational approach to the long-term health and flourishing of church leaders.
Margaret Thompson — Operations Manager
Margaret’s background in operations, finance, and administration was shaped by her career in the Australian furniture industry, where she gained extensive experience as a General Manager. In 2016, she transitioned into the disability sector, broadening her leadership expertise. Margaret also serves on her local church board, deepening her understanding of governance and leadership in a faith-based context.
She holds a Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Management, which equip her with strong business acumen and strategic leadership skills. These qualifications enable her to confidently navigate both corporate and for-purpose sectors.
Margaret’s particular areas of focus include team leadership, operational efficiency, and governance in the church community.
She is passionate about using her skills and experience to promote growth, accountability, and business excellence.
Emily Dickinson — WA Team Leader
Emily has spent 12 years serving as a pastor in various ministry roles within a local church. Her diverse background includes experience as a Mental Health Social Worker, leading the state-wide Youth & Young Adult department for Churches of Christ, and working as an Executive Coach in the business world for 5 years. Over the years, Emily has collaborated with small and medium-sized churches, business owners, and multi-million dollar companies.
Emily’s qualifications focus on church leadership, theology, professional supervision, leadership coaching and social work. Her academic and professional background equips her to support Christian leaders in deepening their spiritual journey and enhancing their impact.
Emily’s integrated expertise spans children’s, youth, and young adult ministry, team culture, leadership training and consultancies, enabling her to guide leaders in advancing to their next level of leadership. Her holistic approach has positively impacted both churches and individual leaders, demonstrating her skill in blending ministry, coaching, and leadership development.
Emily is passionate about helping pastors to not only thrive personally but also to lead congregations that impact communities and transform lives, multiplying Kingdom impact.
Adrian Blenkinsop — SA Team Leader
Adrian has over 30 years of experience in ministry, having worked in both denominational leadership and with mission agencies at state, national, and international levels. His experience spans organizations including Bible Society Australia, OneHope (US-based), Scripture Union, Young Life, and Churches of Christ SA/NT. With this diverse background, he has a deep understanding of the complexities of local church ministry and the unique cultural challenges the church faces today. In particular, he has a passion to see inter-generational discipleship occur in the church. Adrian is also a member of the Australasian Association of Supervision.
During his time with Bible Society, Adrian authored The Bible According to Gen Z, and he is currently managing the Your Story research project, which involved interviews with nearly 450 young Australians to explore how the church can best support and nurture their faith. His experience and insights have enabled him to speak regularly on topics including healthy scripture engagement, and how the church can best nurture faith in the emerging generation.
Adrian embraces the role of an ‘alongsider’ in ministry—offering support not as someone with all the answers, but as a partner with the experience and skills to help others care for their soul and remain healthy in both life and ministry.
Scott Morrison — NSW & TAS Team Leader & Partnership & Engagements Lead
Scott Morrison joins Partners in Ministry with a deep and sustained love for the Church and the redemptive role she plays in both people and society. Like all the Partners in Ministry team, Scott brings a rich professional background spanning data analysis, banking and finance, not-for-profit governance, and church leadership.
With 25 years of extensive experience leading large and complex churches, Scott has proven expertise in growing high-capacity teams and creating meaningful community impact. He is a writer, communicator, and passionate advocate of vocationally integrated models of discipleship and spiritual leadership of change—both of which were the focus of his recent Doctor of Ministry in Workplace Theology and Ethical Leadership.
Scott previously served as Head of Faith Integration at Reventure and has worked with church leaders across Australia in several denominations, prototyping more effective processes for embedding systemic change in clergy practice. He remains an accredited Baptist minister and will graduate in January 2026 with his Doctor of Ministry. He also holds bachelor’s degrees in Ministry and Commerce (Marketing).
Scott brings to Partners in Ministry his combined experience in marketing, communication, and church leadership. Working alongside Partners in Ministry staff, denominational and local church leaders, and networks, his goal is to champion and scale Partners in Ministry’s work in pastoral support, church health, and leadership development across Australia and New Zealand.
Andrew Ranucci — NSW Team
Andrew Ranucci has led and served the local church for thirty years. Andrew pioneered Coast Community Church on the Central Coast of NSW (Aus) and served for 24 years as its Senior Pastor, from 1994-2018. During this time, by God’s grace, the church grew to be multi-campus, including a Christian School and a Not-For-Profit Charity. In February 2018, Andrew transitioned from this role to serving Pastors and Christian leaders through teaching, mentoring, spiritual direction, supervision and retreat leading.
Andrew’s studies include: Doctor of Ministry (Spiritual Direction) from Fuller Theological Seminary (USA); Master of Arts (Christian Leadership), Bachelor of Theology and Diploma of Ministry from Australian College of Ministry; Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Supervision from St Marks National Theological Centre; Andrew is also a graduate of Renovare International Institute for Spiritual Formation (Santa Barbara USA Cohort).
Andrew lives and breathes to see the Kingdom of God expand through healthy vibrant churches. To this end, Andrew invests himself into the lives of Pastors and Leaders for their spiritual health, personal discipleship & leadership growth.
Andrew has a love of cycling and kayaking and most weekends you’ll find him on the roads or waterways of the northern beaches of Sydney. Andrew is married to Kerrell and they have three adult daughters.
Bruce Dingwall — NSW & TAS Team
Bruce was a senior minister for over 30 years. He planted a church in Hoxton Park in the western suburbs of Sydney and then took on the role of senior minister of a large Anglican church with multiple staff in Menai, Sydney. He retired from pastoral leadership in 2020 to take up a role with partners in ministry as a coach, consultant and pastoral supervisor.
Bruce has a Bachelor of Law, Bachelor of Theology, and various other accreditations and training, including qualifications as a pastoral supervisor. He currently walks beside a large number of church leaders from varying denominational backgrounds mentoring, coaching and supervising them, and runs workshops on things such as running a small group ministry, developing leadership, strategic planning and much more. He also does consultancies helping churches and leaders to analyse their situation and make plans for the future.
Bruce is a very experienced ministry coach and supervisor having led both a church plant and a large, established church. His passion is to help churches and leaders to be as effective as possible with the resources and situation God has given them. His clients include leaders of small rural churches to leaders in large and very large churches.
Camille Cunningham — VIC Team
Camille, together with her husband, leads a thriving church in Melbourne. Her journey in church leadership began through volunteering as a Youth Leader and serving within creative ministries. From there, Camille stepped into church-based employment as a Youth Pastor and now facilitates and supports her husband’s role as Senior Pastor. Through this journey, she has developed a deep understanding of the unique and often nuanced responsibilities of Senior Pastors, as well as the dynamics of leadership within a marriage partnership.
Camille has also led the Light Careline, a national Christian prayer and support service, providing care to individuals, couples, and families across Australia. This experience has shaped her strong capacity to lead effective ministries while integrating sound organisational practice, promotion, and long-term sustainability.
She is experienced in leading teams and bringing together diverse groups of people, with a proven ability to provide clarity, momentum, and shared direction. Camille is known for fostering unity and helping teams work together toward a common purpose.
Holding qualifications in Counselling and Professional Supervision, Camille is a Registered Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor. She particularly enjoys providing professional supervision to those in wellbeing-focused roles, including chaplains and counsellors within educational settings.
Those who know Camille describe her as approachable, a safe presence, and someone who brings genuine care and thoughtful investment into the lives of others.
Cathy Elkington — VIC Team
Cathy Elkington is a child of God! She is passionate about coming alongside leaders on their journey of understanding themselves, their connection with (their understanding of) the Divine, and how they live that out in the world. She was born in Zambia and started school in the Philippines.
After working her graduate year after a Bachelor of Nursing, she and her husband entered The Salvation Army Bible Training College. Together, they have served as the senior pastors in five congregations in Victoria and Tasmania and six years in New Zealand. Cathy then worked for five years in Spiritual Life Development, running retreats, and held roles at the Bible Training College in Mission and Ministry and Personal and Spiritual Formation. Her extensive experience in these roles brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding.
Cathy holds a Master of Spirituality, incorporating Graduate Diplomas in Professional Supervision and Spiritual Direction. She teaches Spiritual Formation at the University of Divinity and Professional Supervision at the Australian Catholic University. She also works as a Spiritual Director in private practice and trains Spiritual Directors through the Living Well Centre.
At Partners in Ministry, Cathy specialises in the Pastor Support Stream, believing that being a healthy pastor is the only way to sustain a healthy ministry. Cathy has clients across Australia who she meets online to provide supervision, spiritual direction, and coaching. She also runs Spiritual Retreats and workshops about spiritual practices and rhythms.
Cheryl McCallum — VIC Team
Cheryl has extensive experience in leadership, teaching, speaking and preaching. She has served as a senior minister in a church, and at Eastern College (formerly Tabor Victoria) for over 20 years in various capacities including Principal. Cheryl has also worked for TEAR Australia, Urban Neighbours of Hope, and as the National Director for the Australian Evangelical Alliance. She has served on several Boards and Reference groups. She is an ordained Churches of Christ minister.
Cheryl has qualifications in Education, Training, Ministry Studies, Supervision, Biblical Studies and Religion Studies. Her Doctor of Philosophy was in the topic of women in leadership in churches.
Cheryl is experienced in supervision of ministers from a range of denominations. She leads workshops for Working Genius, Church Health and other leadership and ministry areas. She has experience in consulting with churches undergoing transition.
Her passion is helping churches and individuals, particularly women leaders, navigate their way to effective and fulfilling ministry.
Craig Bailey — SA Team
Craig brings 45 years of experience in education, consultancy, leadership and ministry.
A former teacher, youth-worker, consultant and pastor, Craig served as the Director of Leadership at the Uniting College for Leadership & Theology, Adelaide, developing graduate and post-graduate leadership courses, and lecturing and training nationally and overseas. In his work with Partners in Ministry, he engages in professional Pastoral Supervision, coaching, consulting and workshop facilitation and training. Craig has degrees in education and theology and a Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Supervision. He is regularly called upon for seminars and presentations on leadership, preaching, and Christian faith and discipleship. Craig is committed to ‘doing whatever I can to assist in the formation of pastors and leaders for a Church that is a called upon to take seriously God’s mission to reach out to others with the gospel of Jesus Christ.’ He currently serves in leadership of an evangelical faith community recently planted in Adelaide.
Craig Farmer — NSW & TAS State Leader
Craig has led and served the local church for 20 years as a Senior Pastor (and other roles) of a multi-campus, multi-cultural church in Southwestern Sydney. Since leaving local ministry Craig set up a leadership, team, and strategic development company. He continues, when not helping churches, to work with leaders in government (National and State), large non-for profits and multi-national companies delivering leadership development programs, strategic planning facilitation and executive coaching.
Craig is a trained church consultant, leadership coach, mentor, and expert trainer. Has Bachelor level qualifications in Social Science, theology, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and diplomas in Ministry and Coaching and various other accreditations to tools and inventories.
Craig leads the Church Development Stream, Leadership & Ministry Development Team, and the NSW/Tasmania team of Partners in Ministry. Craig has conducted numerous consultancies with a wide variety of churches – denominations, sizes, ministry models – across the country. Craig is also a sought after trainer and coach/mentor focusing on leadership development and strategic planning.
He has a driving passion for healthy, mission focused churches. Craig loves to come alongside churches that seek to take their effectiveness and health to the next level.
David Stanford — WA Team
David is passionate about encouraging and empowering Ministers, Christian leaders, chaplains and ministry students, and has built his expertise in this area over 35 years, across a number of settings, all while based in Western Australia. His ministry years began at South Perth Church of Christ (now Lifestreams Christian Church) when he switched from being a high school mathematics teacher to a youth minister. He built on his teaching qualifications to lead the establishment of the western campus of Australian College of Ministries (ACOM). His 3 years facilitating that expansion from the eastern states has provided him with the joy of seeing hundreds of WA students graduate over the last 27 years.
David still plays a role in directing ACOM Spiritual Formation groups, as well as supervising, mentoring and coaching bible college students, ministers, chaplains and leaders. His role at Partners in Ministry sees him supervise pastors, chaplains and ministry leaders, and he is particularly sought out for his strong communication and facilitation skills. He loves to enable ministry leaders to flourish and grow in their God-given potential, calling and passions.
David has a Bachelor of Science Education, Graduate Diploma in Pastoral Care and a Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Supervision. He has also completed an extensive Mentor Equipping course and numerous Coaching courses.
Dean R. — VIC Team
Dean brings over 25 years of extensive experience in nonprofit organisations, community development, pastoral leadership, and mission work. He has a proven track record in Disaster Risk Management and humanitarian response across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar. Additionally, Dean is community development specialist, focusing on youth and children’s development programs throughout Southeast Asia.
Originally from Indonesia, Dean has been residing in Melbourne for the past 15 years and ministry in various churches and mission organisations. His expertise in strategic planning and revitalization has transformed several churches into thriving communities. His deep understanding and rich experience in cross-cultural settings equip him with a unique set of skills, making him exceptionally capable of supporting leaders through professional supervision in which he is highly trained.
Dean is currently serving as a Lead Pastor in Melbourne.
Gary O’Brien — NSW Team
Gary has been a follower of the Lord Jesus since late high school. He attended a Catholic school that raised many spiritual questions but it was the leaders of his local youth group in his mum’s Anglican church that provided satisfying answers from the scriptures. After being discipled by godly leaders he became involved in leadership in his church, beach mission & university Christian group, which together, sparked his desire to be in ministry full-time. He completed a business degree and worked for two years, (essentially to save up the money to go to college). His convictions about full-time ministry were confirmed during his time at college, through his learning and especially through his experiences in student ministry at Windsor and Kingsgrove churches.
Gary has felt so privileged to serve for 29 years in Anglican parish ministry, 7 years as an assistant minister at St Ives and Kiama and then 22 years as the lead minister at West Pymble. One of his greatest joys during these years was being able to serve together with other very gifted people, both ministers and lay and seeing the Lord build his church. He was then asked to serve as the Director of Ministry Training & Development for the Diocese of Sydney which involved recruiting, selecting, training & developing Anglican ministers for the Diocese. He did this for 11 years. What a privilege and joy this was to work with young men and women seeking to discern if full-time ministry was where God was leading them and then to be able to help equip them for a life of serving Him.
Gary is blessed to be married to Carol and to have three adult daughters, his “happy place” is anywhere in, on, by or under the water.
Joel Kettleton — VIC Team
Joel has served in ministry over the last 20 years in a variety of contexts across Victoria and Tasmania. He led a multi-site church in southeast Tasmania that included church planting, revitalisation, and team ministry. He has experience in leading churches in regional and small communities. Outside of Church ministry he has held roles in workplace pastoral support with a state government department and leading a not-for-profit working with combat sports across Australia.
Joel is a trained Pastoral Supervisor (Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision), ordained Anglican Priest (Bachelor of Theology), and holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Police Studies). He has training in leadership and management, as well as sports chaplaincy.
Joel works with Partners in Ministry supporting Christian leaders across Australia through Pastoral Supervision, Coaching and Mentoring.
He is also a Church Consultant, helping assess the health of churches and in strategic planning.
He has a passion for the Church and its leaders: to see the Church share the Good News of Jesus with the communities around them, and to assist leaders work effectively from a place of health.
John Cotter — NSW & TAS Team
Over the last 30 years, John’s ministry roles have focused on providing regular personal and professional support for pastors and other frontline workers from diverse denominations, cultures and contexts. Through training, resourcing, consultation, retreats, and one-on-one support he has helped countless pastors to persevere, grow and see fruit amidst the challenges and complexities of ministry.
John is an accredited Professional Supervisor (AAOS), a registered teacher (NESA), and a member of the Australian Christian Mentoring Network (ACMN). He has completed a Master of Divinity degree (MDiv), advanced Mandarin studies and has certifications in coaching and counselling.
For the last 6 years John has specialised in Pastoral Supervision and supervises dozens of ministry leaders across Australia in both English and Mandarin. He also serves as an adjunct lecturer with Charles Sturt University (through St Marks Theological College) training future Professional Supervisors.
At the heart of John’s work is a both a longing to see communities of Jesus’ followers fulfilling the great commandment and the great commission, and a conviction that this starts with investing in leaders; helping them to nurture an authentic relationship with Jesus and be consistently encouraged, growing, and accountable in their ministry role.
John Jeffries — VIC Team
John brings a unique and fascinating blend of Christian leadership experience through serving in a variety of contexts for several decades.
As the long-term CEO of CBM Australia, he grew a small mission agency to one of Australia’s largest and most respected international Christian NGOs.
He has extensive governance experience from serving on the boards of several Australian and International NGOs working in disability, medical research and community housing. He has chaired the board of his local church for several years.
John’s experience gives him salient insights into the many pressures pastors and leaders face as they seek to grow their church or organization. He works closely with leaders to minimize their risk of burnout whilst leading in complexity.
Based in Hawthorn Victoria, John is a qualified Pastoral Supervisor and supports pastors and leaders throughout Australia.
In 2014 he was awarded an OAM for his services to the community, particularly people with a disability.
Kathryn Jensen — VIC Team
Kathryn is passionate about seeing healthy pastors flourishing in healthy churches. She loves the local church and knows that it takes a holistic approach to thrive as God intended. As an ordained Baptist Pastor and Church Planter, she brings 15 years combined experience in both Associate and Lead Pastor roles, working within established church structures and pioneering a new work in the growth corridor of Melbourne’s north. Having worked bi-vocationally as a professional counsellor, Kathryn also brings 15 years of counselling experience and knows what it means to work across multiple systems and cultures.
A particular area of interest for Kathryn is working cross-culturally. She has extensive experience working across cultures in all her roles, and most recently has been leading a multi-ethnic neighbourhood group in running an annual festival by and for the community.
Collaboration is a strength of Kathryn’s. As an active member of her local neighbourhood, she has seen first-hand the impact when churches work together with their neighbours to seek the peace of the city, especially in these polarising times. She desires to “restore, rebuild, renovate and make the community liveable again” (Isaiah 58:12).
Kerrell Ranucci — NSW & TAS Team
Kerrell together with her husband, Andrew church planted on the Central Coast in the early 1990’s, where they served for nearly three decades. They established two church campuses and pioneered a school, charity and a spiritual retreat ministry.
Kerrell has a heart for empowering leaders to live out of their true identity as Christ’s beloved. Her vision for healthy spiritual leadership is being able to lead from the overflow of a life abiding with Jesus. Kerrell has a pastoral heart and loves the privilege of walking alongside pastors and leaders. She is passionate about spiritual formation and engaging in the spiritual practices Jesus himself lived out.
Kerrell regularly facilitates spiritual retreats and workshops for pastors and churches, and loves hosting a safe space for others to hear from God. She is gifted in creative communication, hospitality and has a contemplative prophetic edge.
Kerrell has Bachelor of Design, in Visual Communication (Uni SA) and launched her own design business, working as a designer for close to twenty years, while in local church ministry. Kerrell has a Master of Arts in Spiritual Leadership (Australian College of Ministry) and is a qualified Professional Pastoral Supervisor (St Marks Theological College). She is currently furthering her studies to become a Spiritual Director (Richmont University, USA).
Lawrence Prasad — VIC Team
Lawrence Prasad brings a rich depth of ministry, leadership, and creative insight to his role as a Professional Pastoral Supervisor with Partners in Ministry. Alongside his supervision work, he is also an author with a passion for helping people engage more deeply with healing, growth, and spiritual formation. He is committed to walking alongside people in ways that are safe, reflective, and supportive, helping supervisees engage meaningfully in the process of pastoral supervision. With experience across church, ministry, and community settings, Lawrence has served in a variety of leadership and support roles, including mentoring young adults, leading healing and prayer ministries, contributing to boards and not-for-profit organisations, and offering itinerant preaching and seminars. Grounded in a broad Christian spiritual heritage shaped by Catholic, charismatic, and ecumenical influences, Lawrence brings both depth and openness to his work. This enables him to support people from a wide range of church traditions and ministry contexts. Alongside his ministry experience, he also brings over a decade of expertise in event management and marketing within corporate settings, giving him a strong understanding of leadership, organisational life, and the pressures faced by those in ministry and service roles. He holds a Master of Spirituality and a Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision.
Lloyd Irwin — NSW & TAS Team
Originally working as an architect, Lloyd found he preferred building people rather than structures, and transitioned into church ministry including as senior pastor. His interest in pastoral health, experiential learning and leadership equipping led him onto the faculty of the Australian College of Ministries, with focus areas in spiritual formation, mentoring and communication of the faith, as well as roles in strategic development as part of the senior leadership team. For the past 20 years, he has worked in an organisational development consultancy founded with his wife, to equip leaders, teams, and culture to meet the demands of today’s rapidly changing workplace.
Lloyd is a trained church consultant and workplace trainer and is a member of the Daimler global coaching pool. He has bachelor qualifications in Architecture and in Theology, and a Doctorate in Ministry with a focus on personal leadership formation. He also holds a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment.
Lloyd provides support through mentoring and coaching, facilitating equipping and consulting processes and in leadership development.
He has a passion for helping churches and pastors stay healthy, dynamic, and effective in following and sharing Jesus in an increasingly detached and sceptical society and is delighted to be part of the Partners in Ministry team.
Louisa de Bruyn — NSW & TAS Team
Louisa has led and served at the local church (that she planted) for the past 18 years. She has a proven track record in leadership and a driving passion for discipleship, and she wants to see everyone apprenticed to Jesus. Her love of God and belief that Christ came to give life and life abundantly influences every area of her life.
Louisa is passionate about leadership and continually places herself in a learning space to grow and develop. She holds her Masters in Christian Spirituality, trained in Professional Pastoral Supervision, Mentoring, and Marriage coaching and is currently studying at Richmont University in Spiritual Direction. It is out of the overflow of her learning and application that she wants to share and impart to others practical, workable strategies that will produce life transformation.
Louisa lives and breathes to see the Kingdom of God expand through healthy, vibrant churches. To this end, Louisa willingly invests herself in the lives of others, including Pastors and Leaders, for their spiritual health, personal discipleship and leadership growth.
A burning question that drives Louisa is, ‘How do we practice and apply the knowledge we have learned?’ and see the abundant life Christ promised.
Marg Spicer — NZ Team
Marg is an ordained pastor with over 35 years of senior leadership experience across churches in both New Zealand and Australia. Her journey spans a diverse range of congregations, from a church plant to multi-campus church, where she has skilfully led both staff and volunteer teams. She recognises many of the challenges of leadership and managing the tension of church and family life.
In addition to her pastoral work, Marg trained as a teacher and served as an Executive Director in a not-for-profit organisation, focussing on leadership and team development. As a certified Working Genius Facilitator, she helps teams find joy and productivity in their work.
Her extensive background has provided her with valuable insights into coaching and mentoring leaders, guiding them to deepen their faith and lead effectively. Marg is a dynamic conference speaker, engaging team trainer, and consultant for churches. Known for her strategic and inspirational leadership in the area of children, youth and families (NextGen) Marg is passionate about nurturing emerging leaders and helping churches reach their communities for Jesus. Her expertise and dedication continue to make a significant impact, empowering others in their journey of personal faith and leadership development.
Mark Godfrey — WA Team
Mark has worked across corporate, government, education, ministry, and mental health sectors for over 30 years. He has a strong missional and prophetic calling to impact and support leaders, churches and communities both locally and overseas. His passion is seeing leaders live in wholeness by living out their faith in a more integrated way.
He is passionate to see healthy cultures grow and flourish in leaders and churches, understanding the deep impact culture has on the overall mission of any work. He loves to help leaders to stay deeply connected to Christ and the ‘Big Why’ for which God has called them.
Mark currently operates as a registered and qualified Therapist and Professional & Clinical Supervisor. Mark also serves in leadership capacities with local churches, businesses and not for profit agencies.
Mark holds a Bachelors degree in social science, majoring in applied counselling as well as Supervision and works as a specialist in 1:1 coaching and ministry effectiveness and wellbeing practices.
Mark believes that life with God is be enjoyed not endured and deeply loves the local Church.
He is happily married to an amazing wife, has 3 amazing children and is the proud owner of a very mischievous and affectionate furry best friend called ‘Raffy’.
Naomi Thorne — VIC Team
Naomi comes with over 30 years of experience in transformative leadership of local churches in both Western Australia and Victoria, leading them to greater effectiveness in mission. She has a talent for connecting and developing leaders around a shared vision of healthy mission-focused churches. Naomi’s additional experience in leading retreats, conferences and mission ventures reflects her collaborative kingdom-based approach to mission and ministry.
Naomi’s pastoral experience across a variety of denominations and ministry settings is complimented by formal qualifications in Chaplaincy, Christian Ministry and Professional/Pastoral Supervision. She is currently an ordained Pastor within the Churches of Christ.
Naomi’s particular speciality is supervising, coaching and consulting with Pastors in regional and rural settings and her ‘sweet spot’ is supporting women who lead.
As a Pastor she enthusiastically champions on other church leaders, her lived leadership experience is evident in her passion for discipleship, leadership development and self-care.
Peter Cheel — NSW & TAS Team
Peter worked as a Senior Business Executive in global and national companies in different industry sectors, before becoming CEO, Australasia of a Christian Mission Agency. For the past eight years, Peter has consulted, coached, mentored, supervised and trained senior pastors in leadership development and effective ministry practices. In addition, Peter consults, coaches and mentors business executives and facilitates senior leadership team alignment workshops. In the business world Peters mantra is: ‘leadership drives culture and, culture drives performance’.
Peter holds a Bachelor’s degree with a double major - Psychology & Industrial Sociology, a Master’s of Science - Coaching Psychology and more recently, the Graduate Certificate - Pastoral Supervision (St Marks National Theological Centre).
Leadership can be a lonely place, so having someone who is able to care, support and challenge is both helpful and vital to sustaining faith, well-being and leadership effectiveness. With a passion for the Gospel and leadership development, it is a privilege to be able to serve in this way.
Tony Wright — NSW Team
Tony has over twenty years of full-time ministry experience, having previously served as an Assistant Minister, Senior Assistant Minister and now as a Senior Minister in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. He has also served as a cross-cultural missionary in Fiji with the Church Missionary Society (NSW), working with university students, and with City Bible Forum.
Tony is a qualified Pastoral Supervisor through Charles Sturt University, where he received the Dean’s Award. He passionately seeks to support front-line ministry workers to survive and thrive in their vocation by helping them reflect on their ministry, themselves and those they serve.
Phil Bignill — QLD Team
Phil has led and served within local church in both a city and regional context for 30 years. The majority of time was as the Senior Pastor of a larger, regional church which was highly engaged in creative outreach enterprises. Phil then moved into denominational roles for a number of years, providing support to churches through consultancy and coaching churches towards greater health, creative engagement with their community and fruitfulness.
Phil is a trained church consultant, coach, mentor, and pastoral supervisor and takes great delight in walking alongside and serving leaders and churches in their own context. He has a Bachelor of Theology, Grad Cert. in Arts, Grad Cert. in Pastoral Supervision and Cert IV in Christian Leadership Coaching.
Phil brings wisdom, empathy, creativity and a deep love of churches and pastors.
Phil recognises the challenges, complexities and disappointments ministry can bring and is committed to seeing leaders and churches ministering effectively from a deep abiding place.
Rob Feeney — NSW Team
Rob is “passionate about life’ and seeks to live and bring a message of heart, hope and love, to impact and enable others towards transformation, identity, purpose, and legacy. He has a rich professional background with over 35 years’ experience working across various sectors including, education, Government and Church. Having been a Senior Pastor of a church for 20+ years he understands the complexities, challenges, highs and lows of leading a church and advancing the Kingdom of God. Rob is a professional AAOS Supervisor and also an ICF ACC Coach with 15+ years of personal, organisational and executive coaching experience.
Ron Irving — NSW Team
Ron has served in Christian ministry for more than 30 years, including roles as a Youth Minister, School Chaplain, Executive Minister and Senior Minister. He has served in regional and rural communities and across churches of varying sizes, giving him broad experience of the opportunities and challenges facing ministers and church leaders.
Alongside his theological training, Ron has completed diplomas in management and leadership and is currently undertaking postgraduate studies in ministry. He is a qualified pastoral supervisor and a member of the Australasian Association of Supervision.
With more than 20 years of experience in coaching, mentoring and pastoral supervision, Ron has particular strengths in supporting ministers, developing healthy leadership and helping churches navigate periods of change.
Ron is passionate about seeing churches faithfully proclaim Jesus while helping ministers and leaders flourish in both life and ministry.
Steve Hall — WA Team
Steve Hall has spent more than 40 years serving in ministry, leadership, community development, and mentoring. Having served as a Senior Pastor for over 20 years, Executive Director of Adult & Teen Challenge WA, a leader with Youth for Christ, and a Community Educator with Perth City Mission, he brings a wealth of practical experience to coaching, mentoring, ministry supervision, and leadership development.
Throughout his ministry, Steve has been driven by a conviction that the Church is called to be more than a gathering place on Sunday. He is passionate about seeing churches become a transforming presence within their communities and has extensive experience developing community partnerships, leadership networks, and collaborative initiatives that strengthen local ministry.
Steve creates a safe and encouraging space where leaders can reflect honestly, gain clarity, build resilience, and navigate the opportunities and pressures of ministry with confidence. His heart is to see leaders flourish, churches thrive, and ministries remain healthy and effective for the long haul.
Currently serving as Executive Director of Community Station and an accredited pastor with Australian Christian Churches, Steve continues to equip churches, organisations, and ministry leaders to make a lasting difference in the communities they serve. Steve and his wife Marg have shared a lifetime of ministry together and remain passionate about seeing lives transformed through the Gospel.
Steve White — QLD Team
Steve has been in pastoral ministry for over 32 years as a church planter, senior minister, overseer, area director, denominational executive member, college lecturer, church health advocate and conference facilitator. More recently, since transitioning out of senior ministry, Steve has been engaged in pastoral supervision, facilitating group supervision and conducting spiritual formation retreats.
Steve is an accredited Professional Pastoral Supervisor and has post graduate qualifications in theology and Christian leadership.
Steve’s passion is to walk alongside ministry leaders with a view to seeing healthy local churches led by healthy local leaders who are equipped to navigate life and ministry transitions with sustainable discernment and grace.
Susan Elsmore — QLD Team
For 30 years, Susan has been involved in various aspects of church ministry. She is currently the Associate pastor at Gateway Baptist church, serving alongside her husband Jason, who is a Senior Pastor. Together, they lead a thriving multi-campus, multi-generational church on the southside of Brisbane.
Susan has experience leading large teams of staff and volunteers, as well as preaching, teaching, and discipling people of all ages. She provides support to those seeking personal and spiritual growth and is passionate about empowering others to explore their God given gifts and talents.
Susan has developed and led various programs, workshops, conferences and spiritual retreats, designed to bring people into closer connection with each other and with God. Her formal qualifications include a BA Dip Ed – Primary, Master of Arts – ACOM and a Grad Dip – Pastoral Supervision.
Susan has a genuine love for people and enjoys coming alongside others to see them reach their God given potential. She remains committed to serving the Christian community, providing guidance and support by helping those around her overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Vanessa Daughtry — SA Team
Vanessa brings more than 40 years of ministry experience, shaped by a diverse vocation across parachurch mission, denominational leadership, fresh expressions of church, adult education, workshop facilitation, retreat leadership, counselling and professional pastoral supervision.
She holds a Master's in Counselling Practice, with a particular focus on easing compassion fatigue in ministry leaders, and has further training in creative therapies, trauma-informed practice and fresh expressions of church. Vanessa is a registered professional, clinical and pastoral supervisor listed in the IPSRP directory.
Vanessa founded Heartgardener, developing reflective practices that support vitality and sustainability in ministry. Together with her husband Stephen, an ordained priest, she has lived and served across a wide range of church traditions and cultural contexts.
At Partners in Ministry, Vanessa provides professional supervision and facilitates retreats, drawing on deep listening and trauma-informed practice to help leaders strengthen their skills, deepen their knowledge and nurture reflective practice.