Faces of Faith – Matthew 5:16
In Faces of Faith, we tell the stories of people across the church whose lives bear witness to God’s faithfulness. Through vocation and service, these stories highlight how God equips and sends his people.
by Elise Mattiske
Faith is not always expressed in dramatic moments. Often, it is revealed quietly through presence, care and how people are treated in ordinary, everyday encounters.
For Fiona McAullife, executive principal of Good News Lutheran College in Tarneit and Mambourin in Melbourne’s west, faith is lived this way each day. ‘In the Lutheran understanding of vocation, I have come to see that faith is not something we merely profess, but something lived out daily in service to others,’ she says. This understanding, she explains, is grounded in the message of James 2:18: ‘I will show you my faith by my works.’ ‘As I lead the leaders, I also use a translation, “Don’t just tell me, show me,”’ she says.
Her sense of vocation began early. Growing up on a farm in South Australia’s Mid-North as the eldest of six children, she was raised in a family deeply connected to their faith. From a young age, she knew she wanted to become a teacher and developed a love for mathematics. Over time, she came to see how those passions could intersect.
Her journey into Lutheran education was shaped by formative experiences and influential mentors, particularly at Concordia College in suburban Adelaide. The school’s motto, Fortiter in Re, Suaviter in Modo (‘Firm in principle, gentle in manner’) resonated with her, capturing how she aspired to live and lead. ‘I felt at home in a community where humility and quiet achievement were valued,’ she says.
Across a range of school communities and cultural and religious contexts, her sense of vocation has remained consistent. ‘I’ve come to see that faith is not about striving to prove anything,’ she says. ‘It’s a response of gratitude, shown through care, presence and love.’
‘While these environments have differed greatly, my purpose has remained grounded in God’s call to serve faithfully where I am placed,’ Fiona says.
Like many, her journey has not been without challenge. During her early adulthood, a tragic head-on collision between a mother and son profoundly affected her. The accident took the life of a young man she had grown up with and left a woman who had cared for her like a mother utterly devastated. In the aftermath, Fiona found herself seriously questioning where God was amid such immense suffering. It was not until several years later, following another painful event, that she truly felt God’s presence and understood that he had never left her. ‘Those experiences strengthened my faith and gave me resilience I didn’t know I had,’ she says.
That resilience was called upon early in her time at Good News Lutheran College at Tarneit in Melbourne’s west. She began in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, in one of the most locked-down areas in the country. The year also included a lightning strike that damaged key infrastructure and the death of a Year 12 student. Reflecting on that time, she says, ‘Possibly the most important lesson was that whatever is happening, care for community is key. Every student and staff member is considered before anything else.’
What brings Fiona the greatest joy is forming genuine connections. ‘Whether it’s a conversation at school pick-up time, lending a hand at a community event or simply being a familiar face around the grounds at the college campuses, these moments of connection create a sense of belonging and remind me why I do what I do,’ she says.
She has also been stretching herself to learn some phrases in Hindi, spoken or understood by many families in her school communities. ‘Through my experiences, I have gained valuable insights into what it means to lead and create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels cared for. The positive responses from students and families have reinforced the importance of these efforts,’ she says.
Mentoring and coaching future leaders has become a particularly meaningful part of Fiona’s work. ‘Supporting aspiring leaders as they grow in confidence and capability fills me with hope for the future of our school,’ she says. Through this, she sees leadership as an expression of service, rather than authority.
Faith is woven into the life of the school in intentional ways. Fiona is encouraged by students who engage openly with faith through Bible study groups and devotional activities. ‘Seeing young people come together to explore their beliefs, support one another and share their faith stories is a powerful reminder of the strength found in community,’ she says.
She also points to the visible presence of the church within the college grounds. Buildings named in honour of Lutheran congregations and their histories serve as reminders of faithful witness across generations. ‘The journeys of those that have come before us in the name of God and have followed their faith through all manner of challenges inspire us to face our own challenges and let our own faith guide us,’ she says.
Looking to the future, her hope is for the continued flourishing of the school community in both Tarneit and the newer campus at Mambourin. ‘With our significant wait lists, I wish we could take in all who want to be in our school and care for them as well as we care for our current students,’ she says.
Today, Fiona says her journey has shaped how she sees others. ‘My journey has deepened my faith so that I am now genuinely able to see the presence of God in everyone I interact with,’ she says. ‘My role is not to impose faith, but to bear witness to it through compassion, integrity and faithful service.
‘In this way, each day becomes a lived expression of faith, gently and consistently showing God’s love in action within the everyday rhythms of school life.’
Ultimately, Fiona’s motivation and passion are sustained by the relationships she builds and the encouragement that flows generously from those around her. ‘Each day’s interactions, big or small, remind me of the impact we can have when we serve with kindness and work together for something greater,’ Fiona says.
Elise Mattiske has served as the LCA Communications Coordinator and is the LCA’s new Publications Editor.
Know of any other Faces of Faith stories in your local community? Email the editor elise.mattiske-rogers@lca.org.au
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