Leadership

Noel Mitaxa

It’s great to be part of the ministry team at Connect Baptist Church, even for a few months as interim pastor.  

I was born both times in Ballarat and I‘m happily married with four kids and eight grandchildren. I’ve worked with people for over fifty-five years, firstly, in work placements and counselling for people with a range of disabilities, and then as a pastor with Churches of Christ and Baptist churches across Victoria.

I’ve been privileged to see people coming alive to God’s grace in youth ministry, in local churches, across denominations and communities, and as a chaplain in industry, in sports, and in international cruising.

Along with a series of planned and unexpected home renovation projects, I’ve been presenting weekly Good News columns for newspapers across Australia and around the world for many years, as I’ve been doubly blessed - with a terrific face for radio and the ideal voice to be a writer.

Cameron Petrusma

I grew up in Launceston, Tasmania, where my family was heavily involved in the life of our local church. It was there that I grew to understand the importance of being connected to and engaged in Christian community. The following years after graduating year 12, I began to feel God’s Spirit convicting me and guiding me towards pastoral ministry. I completed a 2-year church-based ministry apprenticeship in my home church, and then moved to “the mainland” for Theological study at the Reformed Theological College.

I met my wife, Elise, during this time, and we have three young children, Orlando, August and Vivienne. After completing my Bachelor of Theology, I began full-time work as the Ministry Manager for Baptist Camping Victoria, where God continued to grow and mature me until I felt ready to step into the call that he had placed on my life for pastoral ministry. Through this journey, God has led me to Connect Baptist Church where I serve as the Associate Pastor.

I am passionate about family, sports, board games and camping. I am also very passionate about Jesus, the Word, who “became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Sharon Xie

I originally came from Guangzhou, China, and have lived in Ballarat for about 15 years. Working full time and serving in church, my daily life is busy, but I still try to enjoy my various interests, e.g., cooking, reading and photography, in my limited spare time.

Life is too short; it is wonderful to nurture our mind with God's beautiful world and with God's wisdom.

Giles Handreck

I am a born and bred Ballarat boy! After school, (in Ballarat), I undertook further studies (in Ballarat), found full time work (in Ballarat), settled and raising a family with Hannah (in Ballarat).

With a long connection with CBC, and its predecessor church since 1994, I have been actively involved in various ministry roles eg. music team, service leading, Leadership team and Chairperson of church meetings.

Hannah and I have been married for 18 years and have three school aged children which keeps us busy in afterschool sports and running around. I have worked with the state government sector in Victoria for over 17 years. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and cooking as ‘unwinding’ activities.

Jo O’Callaghan

I am truly blessed to have known God’s grace and patience throughout my life.

In my youth I was involved in School Christian Fellowship, Scripture Union beach missions, youth group and pastoral care. I was baptised at 16 at my local Baptist church.

 I trained as a general nurse, and also hold a Bachelor of Visual Arts. It is my desire to convey the beauty and majesty of God through my art.

I have been involved in music ministry, Sunday school, RE teaching and as a leader in the Scout movement. I recently retired following 25 years of nursing service at both St John of God and Grampians Health.

 My husband David and I have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. We are currently involved in the Pastoral Care Program at Grampians Health.

Josee Koumado

I am an inspiring woman who has overcome incredible odds to become a success in my chosen field. I arrived in Australia as a refugee from Togo, and despite the difficult transition, I was able to persevere and complete a Bachelor of Nursing from Ballarat University, now known as Fed Uni.

I am a devoted Christian, after giving my life to Christ in my early youth, and my faith has helped me to stay strong in the face of adversity. I am dedicated to my faith and to making a positive contribution to my community.

I am married to Claude and we have four children (Espoir, Emmanuella, Godwill and Elvis) and my family is my greatest joy.

Andrew Gregg

I was born in Hobart and later moved to Queensland where my mother’s family lived.  In the late 1980s we moved to Creswick, Victoria, and I grew up living at “Log Cabin Lodge Christian Camp” where my father was the cook. It was a great experience, developing my Christian faith from a young age.  My family felt a call into ministry with YWAM (Youth With A Mission), which gave me further opportunities to participate on mission outreaches, both in Australia and internationally.  These were life changing, helping me to grow as a Christian.

I attended Wendouree Baptist Church (now Connect Baptist Church) from the early 1990s and have been involved with youth group, the worship team and various other aspects of church life.  I look forward to serving God and the congregation in this role on the leadership team and am excited to see what God has in store for the future.