These three newly ordained graduates from Australian Lutheran College come from a wide range of backgrounds but will all be stepping out in faith to begin their first pastoral ministry parish assignments in 2023. Read on to get to know them a little and discover more about their ministry journeys.
JEREMY SMITH
AGE: 30
FAMILY: Wife Katie Smith
HOME CONGREGATION: St Johns Corinda Qld
VICARAGE: Faith Warradale SA, with Pastor Tim Klein
ASSIGNED TO: Immanuel Kadina, part of Maitland Parish SA
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? My family has been an incredible gift from God, especially the example of the faith of my parents and grandparents and the continual support and dependability of my parents and siblings.
Who are the most influential people for you now? Apart from my family, Katie and other long-term friends continue to help me through challenges and to understand how God works in my life.
What did you do before you went to ALC? I studied computer games programming and spent several years in games development while also working part-time at a conference centre.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? My brother helped me understand my sense of call, but my entire family and my experiences leading Christian Life Week camps were great sources of encouragement.
What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? 1 Corinthians 2:2. It’s easy to get caught up in the complexity of theology, but this verse is a hope-filled reminder that draws me back to the heart of the gospel – Jesus Christ and him crucified for us.
The most important thing people need to know about God is … what he has done for them (deliverance from sin, death, and the power of the Devil), and what it cost (the suffering and death of Jesus, his Son).
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Walking the baptismal journey with people, especially supporting parents in their role of handing on the faith to their children and in helping young people understand all that they have received through baptism.
What is your favourite leisure activity? Katie and I enjoy going for walks to look at birds, bugs, and other wonders of God’s creation, and playing video games.
What is your favourite movie? It’s hard to pick a favourite, but I do enjoy The Princess Bride.
If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? There would be a lot of great people I would love to talk to as a witness of the faith, such as Paul, Mary, or Luther (perhaps with both our ‘Katies’!), but I would also like to chat with my grandmother, Neva, again.
JOEL GRIEGER
AGE: 31
FAMILY: Wife Nicola and son Henry
HOME CONGREGATION: Pilgrims of Zion Sedan SA
VICARAGE: St Pauls Glenelg SA, under the supervision of Pastor Tim Ebbs
ASSIGNED TO: Bordertown Parish SA
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? My parents
Who are the most influential people for you now? There are a lot of people who guide and influence me.
What did you do before you went to ALC? I worked in retail, more specifically in the fresh produce department of a supermarket.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? My participation in the 2017 Grow Leadership program, along with Pastor Neville Otto, whom I met during the program.
What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? Psalm 119:105. It reminds me that all we know about God comes from his word and that his word tells us how we should strive to live a holy life.
The most important thing people need to know about God is … that he is a loving and compassionate God above anything else!
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Encouraging people on their faith journey by walking alongside them; serving people through God’s means of grace – welcoming them into God’s family through baptism, and reminding them of that grace through the Lord’s supper.
What is your favourite leisure activity? I am a sports fanatic, so anything to do with playing or watching sport.
What is your favourite movie? I’m not really into movies, but Forrest Gump definitely stands the test of time.
If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? Bruce McAvaney, as he seems to be a sports nut, which would resonate with me. There are also people in biblical times – such as Judas or Jonah – whom I would want to ask why [they did what they did].
EDWIN SHOESMITH
AGE: 33
FAMILY: Wife Fiona and children Paxton, 4, and Chester, 18 months
HOME CONGREGATION: Emmanuel Lutheran Fellowship Toowoomba Qld
VICARAGE: St Petri Lutheran Church Nuriootpa SA, with Pastor Adrian Kitson
ASSIGNED TO: St James Lutheran Church Hervey Bay Qld
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? My grandfather played a key role in mentoring me, he would always be willing to help me.
Who are the most influential people for you now? Close family and friends
What did you do before you went to ALC? I was a theatre nurse in Toowoomba, then moved into clinical support for an orthopaedic company working with surgeons in theatre.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? My father was a big player in my taking the first step to contact ALC, along with Bishop Paul Smith. During my time at ALC, Dr Stephen Pietsch and Dr Andrew Pfeiffer were both hugely involved in my discernment for pastoral ministry.
What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? Isaiah 40:1–11. Because of Christ, our warfare is ended, we can find comfort in him and share that comfort with others. The most important thing people need to know about God is … that you are forgiven.
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Ministering to those in times of need
What is your favourite leisure activity? Hunting and fishing
What is your favourite movie? The Lord of the Rings amongst many others
If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? J.R.R Tolkien – I would get a nice scotch, sit down in a comfortable chair, and ask him to ‘tell me a story’.
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