These two newly ordained graduates from Australian Lutheran College have explored very different study and work backgrounds before answering God’s call to become General Ministry Pastors. They are stepping out in faith to begin their first pastoral ministry parish assignments in 2024. Read on to get to know them a little and discover more about their ministry journeys.
Tom Kitson
AGE: 32
FAMILY: Wife Evie, daughter Norah
HOME CONGREGATION: Various!
VICARAGE: St Paul Lutheran Church Blair Athol South Australia, with Pastor Matt Bishop
ORDAINED: 17 December 2023 at St Paul Lutheran Church Blair Athol SA by Bishop Paul Smith
ASSIGNED TO: Bethania Lutheran Church Queensland
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? Mum and Dad, youth leaders at church, sporting heroes and favourite musicians
Who are the most influential people for you now? My parents and parents-in-law, mentors through previous work, other pastors
What did you do before you went to ALC? I studied journalism and teaching, then had jobs in youth work and disability support work.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies?
For me it was a slow build-up, I started off saying I’d never do it and then it became more and more obvious to me God was calling me to ministry.
What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? There are many, but at the moment it would be John 20:21 – ‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’ – because it reminds me Jesus is with us and calling us for his purposes.
The most important thing people need to know about God is … that we have a God who loves us, cares for us, knows us by name and wants us to be part of his family.
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Being a trusted spiritual leader and pastoral carer
What is your favourite leisure activity? Playing soccer, making music and spending time with family
What is your favourite movie? Gladiator
If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be? Jesus, King David
Jacob Fabich
AGE: 30
FAMILY: Wife Tegan (married Dec 2023)
HOME CONGREGATION: Holy Trinity, Mildura and Immanuel, North Adelaide
VICARAGE: Goulburn-Murray Lutheran Parish Victoria, with Pastor Matthias Prenzler
ORDAINED: 3 December 2023 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Mildura Vic by LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith
ASSIGNED TO: Eudunda-Robertstown Lutheran Parish South Australia
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? Grandparents
Who are the most influential people for you now? I’ve got to know quite a few pastors, and they are quite influential.
What did you do before you went to ALC? I studied for a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) and also worked in the ALC Refectory.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? 2015 ALC graduates Colin Simpkin, Geoff Schefe, Andrew Neumann and Matt Bishop. Also, a trip down a waterfall in which I experienced God’s protection gave me a nudge, finalised by a redundancy.
What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? Tough call between Philippians 4:4 and Romans 5:1. Romans tells me I have peace with God, and Philippians tells me to be joyful about it!
The most important thing people need to know about God is … that he’s done it all!
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Bringing God’s good news to people in word and sacrament.
What is your favourite leisure activity? Ballroom dancing (and playing music for dancing)
What is your favourite movie? Chicken Run
If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? Hyacinth Bucket (the character from the British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances) …why not! – but just the once would probably be enough! It might be helpful in learning interpersonal skills with difficult people.
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