Michael Blake - ACTING senior RECTOR

In November 2023 Steve Carlisle stepped down as Senior Rector to take on the role of Director of Year 13 with Youthworks.

Rev Michael Blake has been appointed as the part time Acting Rector at Helensburgh Stanwell Park Anglican Church from Dec 2023 until a new Senior Minister is appointed in 2024. Michael was previously Senior Rector at Narellan Anglican Church from 1997-2014 and prior to that he was Assistant Minister at Milperra/Panania. Michael is also trained in Pastoral Supervision, having completed a Masters in 2016. Michael and his wife Alison have 2 adult children who are also working in Ministry in Sydney and in the UK. Michael will be at Sunday Services.

matthew leach - assistant minister

Having been raised as a missionary kid in Papua New Guinea, Matt has seen first-hand how God’s Word can impact and change a person’s heart and life (he has a pretty weird accent to prove it!). But, it was his own love of God’s Word, and desire to understand it better that led him to study at Ridley Bible College in Victoria. The journey to serving in ministry at a full-time capacity has included some significant detours via maths and physics high school teaching, carpentry and building! Matt loves meeting and getting to know people from all walks of life, but he’s particularly fond of time with his wife Ella and young son.

Day Off - Friday

rebecca wagstaff - parish administrator

Rebecca has lived in Helensburgh since age 11 and could almost be called a ‘true local’. She is married to Dave and they have two children. She enjoys spending time in the peace and quiet of the bush while walking the dog, riding the horse or camping with the family. Rebecca has a passion for singing worship music and the way it can reach into the deepest parts of your soul. Her love for Jesus has transformed her life and she wants everyone to know that the good news of Jesus is for them too.

Work Days - Monday and Tuesday; 9am-3pm

ella leach - women's minister

Finding out that she was known and loved by the creator of the world has transformed Ella's life. As a creator/designer herself, the message: that God cares about every detail of a person's life - and weaves those pieces together, in order to draw them to himself, was news too good not to be shared. She is passionate about meeting women in all seasons of life, sharing her faith with them, and encouraging them in their own.

Work Days - Sunday, Monday, Tuesday

GLORIFY GOD

We believe that the world is all about God. Everything, including human beings are here to glorify God. This is, if you like, the meaning to all of life. God has created the world for his glory and sent his Son Jesus into the world to die for sinful man to glorify himself. Not only that, he sends the promised Holy Spirit to be with us as his people, and to help us act as his people in the world. As a result, we desire that our church reflect the values of God himself, that we glorify Him in all we do. We want to make a difference in 2508 and in this world for the glory of God. We want people to glorify God, know and trust Jesus and receive the Spirit of God.

MAKE DISCIPLES

We believe we are called as God’s people, and therefore as a church to make disciples of Christ, wherever we go. We are to make disciples by bringing them to Jesus for the first time, and we are to make disciples by teaching those who have trusted Jesus to continue to grow in love and obedience to him. This means that at Helensburgh and Stanwell Park Anglican we are Great Commission People. We take the great commission of Jesus in Matthew 28 and endeavour to have this shape our lives and everything we do. As we go and make disciples, we believe that we ought to reflect God’s priorities for us as human beings. Once, without Jesus, we could not please God. Now, through his Holy Spirit we can please him and live with the mindset and characteristics he wants us to have.

SERVE THE CHURCH

We wish to be people who are committed to the local church, serving the body of Christ in this place. We want to be people who use the gifts given to us by God to build up and encourage the body of Christ to grow in Jesus more and more. We want to use what we have been given to help people grow in their discipleship with Jesus.

PROCLAIM JESUS

We believe that the best way to love the world is to introduce them to the saving love and mercy of Jesus. The message of his death and resurrection is the good news for all mankind to go from death to life, from condemnation to salvation. We want to serve and love our community in all sorts of ways, especially through sharing the saving message of Jesus with all whom we meet. We believe this to be the most loving thing a Christian can do for those who do not know Jesus. So, we wish want to be Great Commission People, who have a Great Commandment Mindset. And yet we realise that all of this is under the authority and sovereign hand of God.

WE EXIST TO

Michael Blake - ACTING senior RECTOR

matthew leach - assistant minister

rebecca wagstaff - parish administrator

ella leach - women's minister

OUR VISION