Meet our new pastors

Each of these three pastoral ministry graduates from Australian Lutheran College has grown up with ordained ministers in their families, with Ben Graham and Mitch Kitson being the sons of Lutheran pastors and David Cherry having an Anglican minister as his grandfather. But, apart from that, their ministry journeys differ greatly. Recently ordained, they will all be stepping out in faith to begin their first assignments as LCANZ pastors in 2022. Read on to discover more about our newest shepherds.

DAVID CHERRY

AGE: 30

FAMILY: Wife Kayla, daughters Esther and Eloise

HOME CONGREGATION: Wodonga Vic

ASSIGNED TO: Wagga Wagga and Milbrulong NSW

Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? My grandfather, Bruce Ellis, a minister in the Anglican church. He would go to different parishes where priests had been removed and work with the congregation in their problems until a new priest could be called. Witnessing that ministry showed me the importance of forgiveness and how God’s word can speak into our problems.

Who are the most influential people for you now? My vicar father Pastor David Kuss. Going on vicarage with him showed me many things about ministry.

What did you do before you went to ALC? I started out in carpentry, then completed three years as an apprentice boilermaker. I volunteered with the NSW Rural Fire Service and the Vic and NSW State Emergency Services. I also completed a Certificate III in Civil Construction. I had a gut feeling where God was calling me and kept trying to avoid his call.

Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? I am still not sure, but while I was working in Albury/Wodonga I received a letter from ALC asking me if I was interested in studying in the pastoral stream. That was all the encouragement I needed. After that, everything fell into place, as if I were finally going where God was calling me.

What is your most relied upon Bible verse and why? Ephesians 2:8–10, because when I was in a really dark place and could see no way forward, that verse told me I was created in Christ Jesus to do things God had already prepared for me. That gave me hope and peace.

The most important thing people need to know about God is … Christ died for us, for our sins, which means when we struggle and are trying to find our own way out, we need to simply be still and know that he is God, that he loves us first.

Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Being able to bring peace, hope and love to people through the words Christ has given us.

What is your favourite leisure activity? Working with my hands, whether metalwork and welding, or carpentry, or repairing my car and things around the house. Also working on farms remains a favourite.

What is your favourite movie? I don’t really have a favourite movie, but I do have a favourite TV series – Dr Who.

If you could chat to any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? I would like to sit down and talk with three people: C.S. Lewis, Hermann Sasse and Martin Luther.

BEN GRAHAM

AGE: 36

FAMILY: Wife Brianna

HOME CONGREGATION: St John’s Bundaberg Qld

ASSIGNED TO: Lowood Parish Qld

Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? [Writers] Raymond E Feist, Isaac Asimov, Douglas Adams and HG Wells

Who are the most influential people for you now? My wife, Brianna

What did you do before you went to ALC? I spent 10 years as an industrial chemist working for Bundaberg Sugar.

Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? Mostly Jesus, but also my dad [who is a pastor] and good friend Tony Bowes.

What is your most relied upon Bible verse and why? Philippians 4:13 for two reasons. I cannot so much as wake myself up from a nap if it were not for our Heavenly Father. We need his grace and mercy to accomplish anything. Also, the verses around this remind me what is really important … mercy, humility and forgiveness.

The most important thing people need to know about God is … written in the Bible. You should have a read for yourself and see if you can find it. What is most important for one person might not be most important for another.

Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Blessing God’s people. I really like the part of the liturgy where the pastor gets to say, ’The Lord be with you’.

What is your favourite leisure activity? Playing computer games, learning how they work and overcoming the challenges that they set before me.

What is your favourite movie? Possibly Redline (2009) or Gurren Lagann the Movie: Childhood’s End (2008). Both are pretty and have great characters. [Also] Avengers Assemble (2012). Of all the Marvel movies, this was the most fun to watch.

If you could chat to any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? Apparently, Albert Einstein was really good at telling jokes, so he might be a fun famous person to hang out with.

MITCHELL KITSON

AGE: 24

FAMILY: Wife Olivia

HOME CONGREGATION: St Petri Nuriootpa SA

ASSIGNED TO: St Martin’s Mount Gambier SA

Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? I’ve had many different influences in different areas of life: family and friends, teachers, sports coaches, church members and others.

Who are the most influential people for you now? A range of people influence who I am today. I’d add lecturers and pastors to the list as well.

What did you do before you went to ALC? After high school I completed a Certificate IV through ALC and then tried starting a Bachelor of Arts at Adelaide University.

Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? I felt that my life had a purpose that my degree wasn’t directing me towards. A few people suggested that I inquire about studying at ALC and I soon found myself beginning pastoral studies.

What is your most relied upon Bible verse and why? It has to be Ephesians 2:8–9. We can all be very good at patting ourselves on the back or blaming ourselves for our shortcomings. This verse reminds me that I am saved purely by God’s grace.

The most important thing people need to know about God is … that he isn’t distant or impersonal, but the exact opposite, which is why he sent Jesus into the world.

Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Living and breathing God’s mission in the community he has placed me in and working alongside people in that great task.

What is your favourite leisure activity? Olivia and I love going camping together. I’m also a keen follower of a few different sports.

What is your favourite movie? I’ve always loved the whole Star Wars saga, but Return of the Jedi is my favourite.

If you could chat to any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? Melbourne Demons AFL ruckman Max Gawn. He seems like a genuine bloke with a brilliant sense of humour.