Partner Agencies
Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT Property Trust
Paul Holding / Chair
The Baptist Property Trust fulfils an important role in the life of our churches, acting as legal owner of properties across the state. Property ownership in Australia requires title registration in the name of an incorporated body or individuals. This means that title cannot be registered in the name of any unincorporated body such as a local church. The Property Trust offers a valuable service to churches by holding title to church properties in the church’s name as trustee for that local church.
Members of the Property Trust are elected by the Annual Assembly on a rolling basis for three-year terms. Current members are Mr Paul Holding (Chair, Burwood Church), Mr David Evans (West Ryde Church), Mr Richard Brading (Northern Life Church), Mrs Judith Carpenter (Ashfield Church), Mr Geoff Moore (Narwee Church), Mr Mike Williams (Northside Church) and Mrs Julia Zeinoun (Graceway Church). Mr David Evans retired as secretary/treasurer on 12 August 2024 followed by the appointment of Mr Cules Mouton and Mrs Beth Boshier as secretary/treasurer and assistant secretary/treasurer respectively with Mrs Sylvia Groves from Balance Services providing bookkeeping services.
The Property Trust met formally on 7 occasions during the year, both face to face and by Zoom teleconference. We are grateful for the assistance of the Association of Baptist Churches who provide facilities for these meetings.
Responsibility for insurance of church properties rests with the local churches, as we do not have any funds from which to pay premiums. We note that several churches have suffered major damage in recent years, and the importance of maintaining adequate cover cannot be overstated.
Property transaction documentation is subject to review by our solicitors to ensure it is properly authorised by the churches prior to execution. There are a number of law firms on the Trust’s legal panel and churches should liaise with our secretary for advice on which firm to use.
Several churches have funds from the sale of property invested by the Property Trust, pending purchase of alternate property. These funds are mainly invested with Baptist Financial Services given their competitive rates, thereby supporting their ministry to our churches.
The Trust noticed a continued increase in property related transactions with 87 documents executed on behalf of 44 churches during 2024. The Trust also noticed an increase in size, complexity and risk of property related transactions and requests received from churches. This increase in demand for Trust services is placing significant pressure on the Trust’s limited financial resources which may require changes in how the Trust recoups expenses incurred on behalf of churches in the future.
We look forward to continuing to serve our churches in the coming years. Please do not hesitate to contact the Trust via email on propertytrust@nswactbaptists.org.au or via phone on 02 9868 9249.
Baptist Historical Society of NSW & ACT
Graeme Chatfield / President
Emeritus Professor Alan Rice AM concluded as President of the BHS in May 2024. The BHS members gratefully acknowledge the leadership and wisdom provided by Alan over the time of his Presidency. Graeme Chatfield was elected President at the BHS Annual General Meeting in May, and a minor restructure of positions occurred later in the year.
By the end of May, major disruption to the work of the BHS resulted from proposed building work at Morling College. All archival material and artifacts in the care of the BHS had to be moved from the purpose-built facility attached to the Gilbert Wright Library. Eventually by the end of September, the archival material and artifacts were housed in three different locations. Now we wait for a temporary site to be finalised at Bedford College, hopefully by the end of June 2025. We are looking for volunteers to assist in moving the archival material into their temporary home at Bedford College. If you’re interested in helping, please contact the Archivist Ernest Windshuttle archives@nswactbaptists.org.au. We are grateful for the assistance and cooperation of the Baptist Association, Bedford College and BaptistCare in making these arrangements and look forward to the establishment of a permanent home for the BHS and the archival material entrusted to its care.
In the meantime, the work of the BHS continues. We will hold the first ever ‘Regional Meeting’ at Stroud Baptist Church on Saturday 29 March 2025, 2pm, where the focus will be on the stories of the Dungog, Stroud and Gloucester churches and their ministries. A second ‘Regional Meeting’ is planned for some time in October 2025. If your region is interested contact the BHS President, Graeme Chatfield.
In early May at the Baptist Association AGM, the second A. C. Prior Annual Lecture will be delivered by Graeme Chatfield on the topic Ken Manley. An Australian Baptist Identity.
The 2025 BHS AGM will be held on 24 May at 12noon in the Conference Room, Level 4 of the Ministry and Learning Centre, 122 Herring Road, Macquarie Park. The speakers will be John and Kristine Morrison.
Discussions are underway to revamp the BHS website (https://www.baptisthistory.com.au) and The Baptist Recorder. To stay up to date with the plans and developments of the BHS why not become a member. Visit the website or scan this QR code.
The BHS looks forward to continuing to serve the Baptist Association, the Baptist Churches, Baptist ministries and all interested in the Baptist Heritage and Identity.
BaptistCare
Robert Dunn / Chair, BaptistCare
Charles Moore / CEO, BaptistCare
To view BaptistCare’s Annual Report for 2024 visit their website here: baptistcare.org.au/annual-report-2024/
Baptist Insurance Services
Tim Williams / State manager, NSW & ACT
Baptist Insurance Services Ltd (BIS) is a ministry of Australian Baptist Ministries and is our national Baptist insurance scheme. BIS organises protection cover and insurance on property and other assets in excess of $5.7 billion and on behalf of over 1,350 constituents. In NSW & ACT, the scheme currently has insured assets totalling more than $1.4 billion.
Services offered by BIS include:
- Handling claims
- Providing advice
- Delivering risk management workshops, education, and resources
- Conducting insurance information sessions for all Association members
- Visiting clients to assist in understanding insurance and risk management
- Providing online Work Health and Safety Training.
In 2024, we embarked on a new approach with the Baptist Mutual, focusing on a purpose-driven strategy that included engaging with both Australian and overseas reinsurers. It was pleasing to see that we achieved an outstanding renewal outcome, significantly outperforming market trends. While many organisations faced substantial price increases, our scheme maintained a cost increase well below these levels.
This success was driven by an extensive reinsurer education, which fostered competition and ultimately reduced reinsurance costs. Additionally, our demonstrated commitment to robust risk management and ongoing focus on governance and policy affirmed the Baptist family’s dedication to a safe and sustainable future.
Highlights of our 2024/2025 renewal:
- 6% growth in constituent assets
- Less than 4% scheme-wide cost increase
- Inclusion of Public and Products Liability into the Baptist Mutual
- Removal of many restrictive liability exclusions
- Retention of abuse liability protection across all areas of our organisation
- Increased levels of cover on property protection within the Baptist Mutual.
Property insurance claims were made during the year due to accidental damage, burglary & theft, burst pipes, flood, earthquake, glass breakage, hail damage, building impact by a motor vehicle, storms & lightning, water ingress, and malicious damage.
The BIS Work Health & Safety (WHS) online training resources were very well utilised in 2024. Mid-way through the year, the training was completely overhauled and updated, making it more interactive. The training is offered for free online and may be completed at your convenience. There is no limit to the number of people in your church who can participate.
To access the WHS Training, as well as many risk management and insurance resources, please go to the BIS website: http://www.baptistinsurance.com.au. You will need to sign into the Members Portal and follow the links at the top of the page. Step by step instructions to register and access the WHS training are available from BIS.
The login details for the Members Portal are:
Username: dmfmember
Password: dmf#members1193
Thank you to our constituents for your continued support. We look forward to serving you and working with you in 2025.
Tim Williams has concluded as NSW & ACT Insurance Manager after 15 years. We’re grateful for his years of faithful service. In 2025 Brad Griffin commences in this role.
Baptist World Aid Australia
Melissa Lipsett / CEO, Baptist World Aid
Throughout 2024, Baptist World Aid is celebrating all God has done over 50 years of elevating child rights through Child Sponsorship. Our Baptist-supported Child Sponsorship program started humbly, with volunteers working out of an ordinary suburban Sydney home in response to the enormous need for humanitarian aid in the aftermath of World War Two.
Now a much larger, highly professional and DFAT-accredited agency, we continue to celebrate the dedication of our volunteers and Baptist supporters, alongside all those who are generous advocates of our important work. These volunteers, many of whom are members of Baptist churches across the country, have tripled the time that they’ve donated to us in the last year. We’re also humbled by the generosity and faithfulness of our supporters who, during what has been a difficult year for many Australians battling rising costs of their own, gave $11.7M so that our local Christian Partners can continue their incredible work across 57 projects in 20 countries. Together, individuals, families, churches, corporates, trusts and foundations have helped 793,913 people take decisive steps towards a life beyond poverty.
In partnership, we are:
- tackling global and local challenges to equality, with a focus on empowering vulnerable groups—especially women and youth—so that everyone can attain economic dignity;
- empowering children, youth, and women to become influential leaders in their communities, sharing knowledge on diversifying incomes, advancing agricultural techniques, and championing education and human rights;
- addressing immediate humanitarian needs during disasters and crises while enhancing local capabilities to withstand future challenges, ensuring that communities can build resilience and flourish; and
- fighting injustice through advocacy so that the voices of vulnerable people are heard.
We’re continually impressed by the courage and ingenuity of our participants as they transform their lives and communities. We also recognise the other extraordinary people who make this possible—the teams from our 34 local Christian Partners, our Board members, staff, volunteers, and our generous and prayerful supporters and Church Partners. With collective passion, commitment and hard work, we remember that we’re much stronger together, united in our shared mission, walking humbly with God.
Because of Jesus,
Melissa Lipsett
Hasri’s Story
Children, Youth and Communities for Change (CYCC)
Hasri didn’t know what she was missing before she went to school.
Now, she loves learning.
‘What makes her happy?’ our team asked Hasri’s mum and dad while she sat shyly next to them. ‘School!’ her mother responded with a laugh. ‘She goes every day and reads books. That makes her very, very happy.’
Hasri lives in rural Nepal with her mum and dad and extended family. She’s a cheerful girl who enjoys cuddling her goats and sharing hot lentil curry with her family. She also has Down Syndrome. Her parents say she’s helpful around the house—doing chores, taking care of herself and fetching water. But Hasri didn’t always have such a happy life.
Sadly, often social stigma and lack of facilities and appropriately trained staff mean it’s difficult for parents to enrol a child with disability in school. As a result, children like Hasri miss out and are excluded from the social, educational, and life-enhancing opportunities that school provides. This is typical in vulnerable communities where attendance at school is already heavily dependent upon parents’ ability to afford fees, school supplies and transport to and from school.
But when Hasri was 13 years old, her life changed for the better after she joined our local Partner’s child and youth program. After getting to know Hasri through Child Club, our local Christian Partner visited her parents to encourage them to enrol their daughter in school.
They returned with the necessary school supplies, and Hasri told them firmly, ‘I will go to school.’
Now Hasri enjoys learning alongside other new starters at school. Her favourite subjects are reading and writing, and she’s made two good friends who enjoy playing hide-and seek with her.
Hasri’s disability will no longer stop her from enjoying the social and educational benefits of school. And she’s become a passionate advocate for education. When she finds other children in her community are not going to school, she calls out to their parents, ‘Take those children to school!’
Our research tells us that every Sponsorship impacts around 35 people—across families and communities—through Baptist World Aid’s Child and Youth programs.
This year, together we’ve seen:
- 13,080 Children and youth enrolled in school
- 7,015 People now earning an income with training and support
- 3,272 Households now meeting their basic needs
- 5,401 Marginalised people overcoming barriers to access services
- 5,125 People provided with temporary shelter after a disaster
9,309 People exposed to awareness-raising campaigns or activities highlighting environmental issues including climate change.
In NSW and the ACT, 4,357 people supported the work of Baptist World Aid in the last year, giving over $5,071,000. We remain grateful for the passion and generosity of every church and supporter who advocates for our work, and joins us in working towards a better world for all.
Finance and Governance
Baptist World Aid received excellent feedback on our financial management and organisational governance following the rigorous Department of Foreign Affairs and Trading (DFAT) accreditation process. Delivering excellent international development programs takes time, effort, risk management, preparation for the unexpected, and careful stewardship. We remain committed to investing in high quality safeguarding, compliance, risk management and organisational governance.
We continue to face challenging economic conditions in Australia at a time where the world groans with conflict and poverty. But we celebrate the sacrificial generosity of Australian Baptists, churches and their members and our wider loyal supporters, and remain grateful for the Australian Government’s support.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Transform Aid International is committed to improving development effectiveness. This involves regular reflection on practice, actively learning through research, project monitoring, project evaluations, and listening to Christian Partners.
In FY2024, we continued to support our Partners to conduct their own research and learning and apply it towards evidence-based development programs. We facilitated two global Partner learning forums: Children, Youth and Communities for Change (CYCC) Forum, and a peer learning forum for 28 church leaders from nine countries in Asia and the Pacific involved in church-based community development.
Adapting to a Changing Climate
We continue to equip our local Partners and the local communities they serve, to adapt to the growing and highly concerning challenge of climate change. They’re providing training, resources, and empowering communities to implement climate-smart agriculture, water conservation techniques, adopt alternative energy sources, and develop disaster preparedness plans.
With thanks to the generous support of the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), 11 local Partner staff in Bangladesh participated in hands-on training to learn about climate change adaptation and mitigation techniques, policies, and best practices at local, national, and international levels. We also partnered with the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) to help us identify strengths and opportunities for creating greater impact.
This research and training has laid the groundwork to cultivate innovative solutions so that vulnerable communities can better withstand extreme weather events, secure their livelihoods, and safeguard their future.
We remain committed to seeking locally led solutions and project designs and conducted a partnership survey to gain feedback on our approach and guide future priorities for organisational development and learning. We look forward to acting on the emerging recommendations in years to come.
Bedford College
Steve Dixon / CEO, Bedford college
Cahthy monro / chair, Bedford College Board
It is our great pleasure to report on the 81st year of operations at Baptist Business College (trading as Bedford College), a year packed with transformative innovations and developments in the midst of ongoing changes in the vocational education landscape.
Critical and substantial investment have been made to support our future-facing strategies, developments and related innovations, and to enhance the prospects for success.
Culture change and embedding Christ-centred structure and practices
Comprehensive changes have been made to ensure that there is a truly Christ-centred spiritual foundation upon which Bedford College is anchored as it grows and flourishes according to what God has planned for His college here at Bedford. These included recruitment of a host of personnel who are not only highly experienced but also of strong Christian convictions. Initiatives such as reviewing course content and equipping staff through delivery to ensure Christian worldview have been implemented and continue to be strengthened to maximise impact.
Our new, and revamped Vision, Purpose, Mission and Values statements convey a clear message of our Christian identity and how that identity is infused in all that we do to make lasting impact.
Our Vision
- Transforming education, empowering people, shaping the world.
Our Purpose
- A Christian educational provider equipping people with vocational education and training, for lives serving the community.
Our Mission
- To be an innovative provider of quality training, prioritising student care in a Christian environment, enhancing success through strategic industry partnerships.
Our Values
- Transformative – continually learning, growing, and adapting
- Holistic – care and support for the whole person and broader organisational needs
- Empowering – equipping students for work and life
- Innovative – adapting offerings and delivery in response to industry
- Responsive – available for students and flexible in training approaches
Rebranding and increased recognition of Bedford College among Christian organisations and communities
Our rebranding process and implementation have created an inspiring, energising and unifying organisational environment for years to come.
Our new brand, launched in mid-2024, synthesised our Baptist origin, our faith story, our Christian education function and our Christ-focused approaches and impact. It illuminates our identity and our confidence in Christ.
Connections with our Baptist agencies including Baptist Churches NSW & ACT, Morling College, and Baptist Care have been deepened. Strategic partnerships with other Christian organisations such as Christian schools, human services and other industry providers have been developed and formalised, with new opportunities continue to be presented and utilised.
Increased scope, agility and capability to meet critical skills training needs
We have expanded our range of courses into Allied Health, Counselling, as well as a range of short courses for those involved in regulated training settings. We are expanding our partnerships to better meet the needs of industry and are particularly excited about what this will mean not simply for the individuals we can engage with, but also the impact this will have on society more broadly as students see the direct connection between personal faith and the work they are undertaking.
Reflecting on all that have been overcome and achieved at Bedford College in 2024, we are in awe of God’s faithfulness and provision.
We are thankful to the Board of Directors and to the staff team for their faith, commitment, dedication, encouragement, and willingness to embrace change.
We are grateful for this privileged opportunity to transform Bedford College, through which to serve our wider Baptist family and contribute to advancing God’s kingdom in the process.
As we look into the future, the sentiment expressed in the first annual report of Bedford College back in 1944 resonates profoundly, that is, “this venture, a product of the NSW Baptist Forward Movement and unique in the Commonwealth of Australia, was commenced with a minimum of capital and a maximum of faith and works. We have marvelled at the manner in which doors have opened, and ways become clear. We could have no greater encouragement for the future.”
Dr. Cathy Monro, Chair
Rev. Steve Dixon, Chief Executive Officer
Morling College
Tim macbride / principal, morling college
angelo gratsounas / chair, Morling College Board
2024 was a year of rapid change for Morling. We merged with Malyon College in Brisbane, planted a hub at Crossway Baptist in Melbourne, and set up a partnership with the Baptist Churches of SA/NT to run intensive subjects for their accreditation candidates. The Sydney campus vacated the old red-brick buildings to make way for the Macquarie Rise property development. And we have seen a steady stream of new and updated training opportunities across our faculties. We are thankful to God, as always, for how he has enabled us to continue our mission to equip women and men to make an impact in his world!
Morling College Initiatives and Updates
Partnering to raise up the next generation of pastors and leaders
Our partnership with our family of churches in NSW and ACT—along with our newer family members in WA, QLD, VIC, and SA—is the reason we exist, and we are thankful for its continued support. We have seen this tangibly in stronger open night attendances, as well as the individual stories of local churches identifying their future leaders and supporting them to study: established churches such as Chatswood Baptist (featured at our November 2024 assembly), as well as one of our newest plants (The Local, at Kellyville) already sending students to Morling a mere 7 months after commencing. We are encouraged by churches intentionally investing like this in our future leaders.
Our principal’s recent trip to the US highlighted the challenge of funding full-time on campus study in cities where the cost of living, especially housing, is high. He reported a stark contrast between Northern Seminary in Chicago, which was almost fully online, and Truett Seminary in Waco, with all students attending in person, largely due to lower housing costs. Sydney is much more like Chicago, meaning churches will need to be strategic in funding future pastors if on campus training is to remain viable into the future.
Morling is also acutely aware that many of our pastoral ministry students do not attend campus. For this reason, in 2025 we are more intentionally partnering with our churches in the formation of our students—building mentoring and pastoral development in the local church into the core curriculum.
This is also one of the reasons we have decided to hold two evening chapel services each year: a commencement service, open to all of our partner churches, especially those with students commencing with us; and a concluding, “torch passing” chapel, celebrating those who have completed their studies, with a challenge for each of our graduating students to bring someone who might replace them in our student cohort. (Thanks to Tim Patrick, Principal of the Bible College of SA, for that insightful suggestion!)
Partnering to deliver off campus training
As well as on campus study, Morling is committed to providing training elsewhere, whether through our long-established online and livestreamed units, or facilitating training in local churches. During 2024, we created a number of new ways to do this:
Morling To Go is a selection of free, video-based subjects that are ideal for individuals or small groups. The Tinsley Institute has provided three already (Apologetics with Dan Patterson; Micro-Churches with Bree Mills; Mission and the Reign of God with Mike Frost), along with one in New Testament (Tim MacBride) and Old Testament (Marc Rader). We are also planning one on what it means to be Baptist for later in 2025.
Watch Parties can be for more than just reality TV shows! Since the start of 2024, Manly Life Church has been hosting a Monday Night “watch party” for some of our introductory units. Most attendees have simply enrolled in attendance mode, although some have also completed the unit online for academic credit. Any church or small group can host a watch party of their own; just contact enquiries@morling.edu.au for details.
Teach the Certificate in Theology (ThC) in your church is a brand-new opportunity for pastors to teach at certificate level in their own church. There are three core units (OT, NT, and Theology) and a range of electives to choose from. Pastors with a theological degree can apply to teach the curriculum, using as much or as little of Morling’s materials as they like. A group of churches on the Gold Coast (led by former cockroach-turned-cane toad, Matt Hunt) has commenced this in 2025. Again, contact enquiries@morling.edu.au for details.
Beyond NSW and the ACT
Morling has been active in expanding beyond the borders of NSW and the ACT.
The merger with Malyon College, which was formalised on January 1, 2025, was a significant kingdom opportunity, ensuring the continuation of on campus Baptist training in Queensland while providing the necessary economy of scale needed for Morling’s long-term financial viability. In taking on the Brisbane campus, we have embarked on a refresh: of both the physical campus as well as the teaching faculty and relationships with Queensland Baptist churches.
Morling has also partnered with Crossway Baptist Church in Melbourne, teaching weekly evening classes in Old and New Testament at the main campus in Burwood East, as well as opening up our online programmes to their seven other campuses, including one at Blacktown in NSW, and Crossway’s sizeable online congregation (more than 17,000 people each week). A number of churches in our movement have benefited from Crossway’s Building a Discipleship Culture training and coaching, and this move furthers our partnership with this leading Baptist church in Australia.
In Adelaide, we are partnering with the Baptist Churches of SA and NT in offering intensives for their accreditation candidates; the Baptist College in Adelaide (Burleigh College) closed in 2006.
In Perth, the 2021 merger is well and truly in our rear-view mirror as we seek to build on the opportunities that come with being a national provider of theological education. As well as continuing to grow our Counselling and Chaplaincy courses, we are focusing on being the champions of expository preaching in Perth. Tim MacBride has taught two well-attended preaching skills days in 2024, with Marc Rader continuing the programme in May 2025.
The University Sector
The Australian College of Theology, of which Morling is a member college, was granted university status in January 2025. As well as the increased recognition and research funding that comes from being part of a university, this development will lower the cost of student loans for undergraduate students once the federal government passes the required legislation to formalise this. (Please be in prayer that our federal parliament, in an election year, will see this as a priority!)
There was also significant media attention on both major parties’ intention to reduce the number of international student visas. Having a low reliance on overseas students, Morling is relatively immune to the impact of this.
Undeceptions Podcast
In 2024, Morling was a sponsor of Australia’s leading Christian podcast, Undeceptions, hosted by John Dickson. John kindly described us in these terms: “if Undeceptions were a Bible College, it would be Morling.” One of John’s projects is to do with the earliest Christian hymn, dating from the second century. As well as recording the original with the Wheaton College choir, he has worked with Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding on a contemporary version, which will have been released worldwide by the time of our Assembly. (Our principal has heard the recording and agrees it is an “absolute banger.”) In August 2025, Morling is planning to host a one-day event, looking at the music, theology, and history behind this intriguing trinitarian hymn.
In Bible and Theology
During 2024, the Bible and Theology faculty continued to work in close partnership with local churches and the Baptist Association teams in NSW/ACT and WA to provide flexible pathways and thorough training and equipping for evangelists, church planters, and pastoral leaders, as well as for people in a wide variety of different contexts and vocations who wish to integrate biblical faith with the issues of daily life and work. We look forward to continuing those partnerships in 2025 and also commencing a new chapter in our story as we begin working with Queensland Baptists and the Malyon Campus team in Brisbane. We are delighted, also, to see an increasing number of local churches, or clusters of churches within a particular region, reaching out to us to explore ways of working with to support, encourage and resource students.
Late in 2024, we announced that David Starling will be handing over the reins as Dean of Bible and Theology to Andrew Sloane, whilst continuing in his other roles as a New Testament Lecturer and Vice-Principal (Academic). We are thankful to God that Andrew has indicated his willingness to serve in this new capacity as faculty dean.
In Counselling, Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care (CCSC) and Professional Supervision
2024 has been a challenging year for the faculty, due to the ill health of the faculty dean (see “Faculty Appointments and Farewells,” below), with the team giving an above-and-beyond response to the “all hands on deck” call, ensuring the continued operation of the faculty.
In the midst of this, however, we celebrated being accorded Self-Accrediting Authority by the Higher Education regulator, TEQSA. This was a major achievement by our CCSC faculty (as well as the Education faculty, see below), along with our academic quality and compliance teams. As well as some cost savings, this gives us the ability to respond more quickly to a changing educational environment, tailoring our courses and units to emerging needs.
In 2025, the faculty is developing courses in Chaplaincy at undergraduate level, complementing our existing postgraduate courses, and providing an alternative to vocational chaplaincy training.
In Education
In 2024 the Education Faculty has continued to actively promote postgraduate coursework (Master of Education / Master of Educational Leadership) and the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme in partnership with Christian Heritage College (CHC).
We have seen continuous growth in the ITE space with a projection of 65+ students in the programme in 2025. The first two graduates from this programme completed their courses in December 2024 and will be included in our upcoming graduation. CHC staff will be in attendance to mark this milestone and affirm the ongoing partnership in initial teacher education. As we seek to support an increasing number of preservice teachers through this partnership, we anticipate that 2025 will be a challenging year.
Lower numbers of students in our master’s courses continues to be one of our main concerns, and we eagerly await God’s provision of new applications.
A new initiative, born out of the 2024 granting of Self-Accrediting Authority by the Higher Education regulator, is the micro-credentialling of a core master’s unit. Between November 2024 and January 2025, the faculty reconfigured Foundations in Christian Education (ED800) for delivery to two pilot schools, Midcoast Christian College and Regents Park Christian School. It is envisaged that two school-based cohorts will be created and upon completion, will continue their studies with us.
One of the highlights of our year was a very successful dinner hosted at the Sydney campus to commemorate the birth of the vision for Christian Community Schools (CCS, now Christian Schools Australia). Felicity Marlow delivered a well-received keynote on the three phases of Christian education after Peter Hester (CCS founder) and Daniel Pampuch (CSA CEO) presented past and present challenges and opportunities. This was a good opportunity to remind key stakeholders of Morling’s involvement in the birth of CCS and our current relevance in ongoing teacher professional development.
Faculty Appointments and Farewells
Our Dean of CCSC, Margaret Welch, has been unable to work since April 2024 due to ill health. Her employment at Morling has now concluded and we are grateful to Margaret for her 12 years of faculty leadership, culminating in our successful application for Self-Accrediting Authority.
In Margaret’s absence, our Associate Dean of Counselling, Kim Kownacki, took on the role of Acting Dean of CCSC. She has now been appointed to the faculty dean role on a permanent basis.
During 2024 we farewelled one of our Sydney-based Counselling Lecturers, Andrea Moore. We are grateful for Andrea’s expertise and positive spirit and wish her well for her future endeavours. Mary Esser, who has been working with us as an adjunct lecturer, has been appointed to fill Andrea’s role, from the start of 2025.
On January 1, 2025, we also welcomed faculty from Malyon College to the Morling team, although we’d already been working closely with them during the merger process over the whole year:
Dr Ian Hussey, as Associate Dean of Bible & Theology (Brisbane) and Associate Director of Research. Ian lectures in a range of areas, including New Testament and Pastoral Theology, and brings a wealth of experience in research publication and academic administration within the wider Australian College of Theology.
Dr Warren Kercher, as the Campus Director in Brisbane, who will also lecture in practical ministry.
Dr Anne Klose, part-time lecturer in Spiritual Formation and Baptist History and Theology.
Dan Patterson, part-time lecturer in Apologetics. Dan is a well-known speaker and apologist, and is the founder of the Questioning Christianity website.
Malyon’s former principal, Dr Peter Francis, will continue in a part-time capacity to teach Old Testament, and help to mentor several new adjunct lecturers, including recent Morling Sydney graduate Courtney Patten, who now lives in Brisbane. Although not a faculty appointment, it is worth mentioning that the new Brisbane receptionist/administrator, Rachelle Gollan, has previously studied at Morling Sydney, which will be helpful in ensuring that the new campus integrates well. Malyon’s librarian, Jill Walker, rounds out the new members to Team Morling.
2024 Events
- Graduation on our Sydney and Perth campuses – March
- Scholarly Christian Educators Gathering – May, October
- 25th Annual Tinsley Lecture with Dr Ash Barker – May
- Preaching Skills Workshops in Perth – May and August
- Preaching Conference, with Alison Gerber – June
- 50 Year Celebration of Education Dinner – October
- Mental Health First Aid
- Open Nights
- Research Seminars
- SCEG (Scholarly Christian Educators Gatherings)
Graduation
Graduation is always a highlight for our denominational year. In 2024, we held two Graduation services, one at each of our campuses in Perth and Sydney, with 188 students graduating across all faculty areas. Nearly 100 of these graduates joined us on campus to celebrate their achievements with faculty, staff, family and friends.
2025 Events
- Graduation – March 24 (Sydney), March 27 (Perth), March 31 (Brisbane)
- Commencement Chapels – Feb 3 (Perth), Feb 24 (Sydney)
- Evangelicalism Through History Conference – May 12 (Sydney and online)
- Preaching Skills Day – June 23 (Perth)
- The First Hymn Project one-day conference with John Dickson – August 16
- Annual Tinsley Lecture – TBA
- Mental Health First Aid courses – TBA
- Open Nights – June 5, Nov 6
- Regular research Seminars
- SCEG (Scholarly Christian Educators Gatherings)
Morling College Council/Board Participants
Directors (as at November 2024): Rev Matthew Arkapaw (Deputy Chair), Mrs Lonni Aylett, Mrs Helen Blanch (Deputy Chair), Rev Dr Graeme Chatfield, Dr Sylvia Collinson, Rev Angelo Gratsounas (Chair), Rev James Kim, Dr Beverley Moore, Rev Paul Mosiejczuk, Adj Prof William Peirson, Rev Dr Brian Powell, Mrs Kathryn Sinclair and Mr Stephen Welsh.
Others Attending: Rev Dr Stephen Bartlett (Director of Ministries), Mr Geoff Moore (Legal Advisor), Mr Peter McCrindle (Board Secretary), and Rev Dr Tim MacBride (Principal) and occasional guests by invitation.
The Morling College Board met 7 times in 2024. In addition, the Directors participated in regular subcommittee meetings to oversee academic matters, property development, finance, residential accommodation, risk management and human resources.
Morling Foundation and Property
Morling College is grateful for the shared vision and income of the Morling Foundation and Morling Residential College (MRC). This income allows Morling to continue to subsidise the cost of study for students while providing a quality service. Our MRC residents are from 21 different nations, with the biggest cohorts, after Australians, being Chinese and Korean students. We have a significant missional opportunity with these young adults.
The Morling Foundation is a separate charity (with oversight from the College and the Association) which exists to manage gifts, bequests, and property development proceeds and provide a vital income stream for college operations and initiatives. It also helps to fund new property development initiatives, which in turn, will provide additional funds to the College (and Baptist Churches NSW/ACT) when completed. The Morling Foundation’s 2024 Financial Reports, including the Directors’ report, is provided separately to the Baptist Churches’ NSW/ACT Annual Assembly.
Macquarie Rise
During the first half of 2024, Baptist Archives, Ezra Counselling services and Macquarie Baptist Church were relocated to allow demolition of our older College buildings, with temporary locations found for each of these ministries. Construction began onsite in late 2024 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-2027. Retained assets (residential, retail, and commercial spaces) in the new building will replace some demolished space as well as providing a necessary rental income stream for both the College and Association to continue to cover ministry costs.
