MINISTERS

All the members of the congregation

Pastor: Rod Pell

A serious motorbike accident in his teens led Rod to choose a career with a people focus. He qualified and worked as a social worker in family welfare, corrections and regional planning before he and his wife Elizabeth studied at the Bible College of Victoria. After three years as youth pastor at Mooroolbark Baptist, they joined the pastoral team at Blackburn North (now NewHope) and led a small group establishing a Baptist church at Eltham, a north-eastern suburb of Melbourne.

In 1987 Rod and Liz, with two young daughters, began ministry at the Theological College of Central Africa, in Ndola, Zambia, where Rod was soon appointed Principal. Their third daughter was born in Africa. Rod focused on empowering African leaders and in 1996 a Zambian became the Principal. Rod continues to communicate with his former students, and teaches at the annual Graduate Enrichment Seminar every three years.

In 2000, Kew Baptist church invited Rod to be their pastor, and Elizabeth and their three daughters joined him wholeheartedly in his new ministry.

Rod is an empowering leader, gently challenging people to follow Jesus, and giving opportunity for all to use their gifts in serving God and others. By God’s grace, the church has experienced significant growth numerically and spiritually under Rod’s quiet, unassuming leadership.

A key aspect of his ministry is offering training and ministry opportunities to young adults through an internship program and preaching and leadership training. The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the growth of NightChurch.

Rev. Kingsley Smith

Kingsley has exercised varied ministries in Victoria and interstate churches (Christian education, administration and counselling) and has been the pastor in several churches, always with the strong support of his wife Gwyneth, who is now the organist at Kew Baptist church. When, having retired, they became members at the church, the congregation asked Kingsley to help with pastoral care. He and Gwyneth provide care and support to many people, some associated with Kew Baptist, but many others as well.

When appointed, Kingsley asked if he could start a regular gathering for retired men. Chat and Chew, now held monthly at Karana, an aged-care facility, has proved to be extremely valuable, providing friendship for often lonely men, and introducing some of them to Jesus.

Rev. Lindsay and Mrs. Meryl Smith

When Lindsay “retired” as a Baptist minister in 2003, Meryl and he returned to Kew Baptist where they had served on the pastoral team, 1983 to 1996. The congregation invited them to help with pastoral visitation. Older members in particular value highly their spiritual and practical support. Lindsay also regularly visits one of the sessions of Possums’ playgroups.

When Ruth Prentice, the Chaplain at Karana Baptist Aged Care Community takes a holiday break, Lindsay becomes “Chaplain on call”. He also visits Karana regularly and takes occasional chapel services there.

Meryl provides pastoral care for people within the congregation as well, especially some of the older members, making regular visits and calling them by phone.

Lindsay has always been an enthusiastic handyman and practical worker. He not only manages maintenance work on the church’s properties, but helps many members of the congregation as well in practical ways. He is also exceptionally good at organising major events, and this passion also finds expression at Kew.

As for several other members of the pastoral team, Lindsay and Meryl have had cross-cultural experience, having worked with the Australian Baptist Mission (now Global Interaction) in Papua New Guinea, 1965-1979.

Rev. Dr Ken Manley

Well known historian and writer, former lecturer at Morling and Whitley Colleges (the Baptist Colleges of NSW and Victoria), former Principal at Whitley and with wisdom and experience in church leadership, Ken joined the pastoral team at Kew Baptist at the end of 2006. He and his wife Margaret had been members of the congregation for a few years at that time. Ken has also been involved with Baptists at an international level through Baptist World Alliance.

Ken’s primary contribution is through his preaching and his passion for nurturing people in their understanding of the gospel. His capacity for clear and enthusiastic communication with people of all ages and all stages of faith make his series of messages very welcome, whether to the morning congregation or in NightChurch among the young adults.

He also works with Rod in leading preaching classes attended by people in the congregation, especially young adults. Ken’s wise advice, encouragement and positive critiques are extremely helpful to these emerging preachers.

Mrs. Liz Taylor

For four generations, Liz’s family has been part of Kew Baptist Church. Liz, a qualified secondary teacher, and her husband Steve studied at the Bible College of Victoria before going to Papua New Guinea with Asia Pacific Christian Mission (now Pioneers) in 1983. Liz’s primary role was supporting Steve and being Mum to their three children, all now adults.

Since returning in 1993, Liz’s journey led her to attend a number of retreats run by Wellspring, an ecumenical ministry linked with the Ashburton Baptist Church. Greatly helped by these, she did a course in spiritual formation and qualified as a spiritual director in 2003.

Liz was appointed to the pastoral team in 2007, giving time for her to further develop areas of ministry in which she was already engaged. Her concern for people, her passion for prayer and reflection and her organisational ability have helped strengthen the church’s focus on prayer, the effectiveness of small groups and the annual church camp.