Pastors
Pastor Roger Harris
Lead Pastor
Roger is the Lead Pastor here at Toongabbie Baptist Church. Roger moved up from Melbourne in 1992 to train for the Pastoral ministry and met his wife-to-be Megan. They have four children spread through high school and primary school.
Roger is passionate about helping people to find hope in Jesus and seeing them follow His example to serve in our local community. He also loves going to the movies with his kids (yes even the cartoons), and his favourite food is a tie between eating KFC or hot chips and gravy on a cold day… preferably both together.
Pastor Mark Penna
Associate Pastor (Welcoming and Care)
Mark has been attending Toongabbie Baptist Church for 14 years. He has been the Associate Pastor since February 2012. Mark’s role as the Associate Pastor is to head up all the care ministries in the church. These include the Life Groups, the Prayer and Care Ministries and helping new people to integrate into the church.
He is also passionate about preaching God’s word to anyone who will listen. Mark is married to the beautiful Alison and they have 3 children together. Mark loves the AFL and is an avid Sydney Swans supporter and would love to re-live his glory days playing AFL if his body could handle the pain.
Lucas Herczeg
Children's Pastor
Lucas Herczeg is the Children’s Pastor at Toongabbie Baptist church. After 20 years in the printing industry and management Lucas finally landed his dream roles of part time Children’s pastor and part- time School Chaplain. These roles allow him to use his previous experience in leading and training and his passion for helping children and their families grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus and with each other. Lucas puts a special importance on young families and children feeling connected and loved. He is married to the beautiful Holly and they have six children together three girls and three boys from toddler to tween. Lucas likes all sports, especially soccer and the Parramatta Eels and can be quite competitive, he loves a good handball challenge.
Fiona Gardner
Youth & Young Adults Pastor
Fiona is the Youth and Young Adults Pastoral Worker at Toongabbie Baptist Church. She has been coming to this church since January 2013. Fiona has completed Diplomas’ in Counselling and Community Services and has a heart for the youth and their families within our community. She has a passion to see teenagers reach their full potential and her dream is to see the young people of our church and community on fire for Christ.
Fiona is married to Dallas and combined they have four children. In her spare time, Fiona enjoys baking treats for her kids, reading, watching movies, walking her two dogs and playing superheros with her boys.
Coming Soon
Creative Services Pastor
Our Sunday Services are a place to come to be with a community of people who love God and want to centre their lives on His purposes. The goal of Services is to help people connect with God each week in ways that build faith and hope.
Elizabeth Beckett
Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth (better known as Liz) has been attending Toongabbie Baptist Church since 1997. Liz came to know the love of God at 15 at Burwood Baptist Church. Her favourite BIble verse is Phillipians 3:13-14, But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Liz is married to Leon and they have two boys.
Liz has been a part of many different ministries within the Church over the years. She has a long history of working in an Admin within the Health sector. When not working in the Church Office or looking after family, she enjoys sewing, quilting, photography, singing and watching movies.
Elders
The Elders oversee the spiritual affairs of the Church, in collaboration with the Pastoral Team. Together they spiritually care for the people connected with the church through preaching, visitation and prayer. Our current Elders pictured (L-R) are John Anandanathan, Peter Dearth, Daniel Podrugovic and Barry Peters.
Deacons
The Deacons, as far as may be in their power, are responsible for the practical ministry of the Church and manage the routine operations of the Church. In particular they look after the finance, property, administration and membership of the Church. Our current Deacons pictured (L-R) are Aaron Dhanaraj, John Bailey, Leon Beckett, Rohan Thevarajah and John Sebukumar.
