Our Staff & Church Leadership - Toongabbie Baptist Church

Church Staff

David Hames

Senior Interim Pastor

David was born in Auckland, New Zealand. In 1990 he studied at Morling College (NSW Baptist Theological College) and has pastured several churches. Since completing post-graduate studies in 2004, and training as a Baptist church consultant and Transitional Minister, he and his wife Lyn (a chaplain with Baptist Care) have completed a number of Interims at different churches within NSW with the desire to assist congregations undergoing transition or needing pastoral assistance. David commenced his ministry with TBC in December, 2018. He is passionate about assisting people to Know Christ and make Him known, while growing believers and churches to spiritual maturity. In his spare time David enjoys bush walking, reading, good movies and going on holiday.

Chris Hall

Associate Interim Pastor

Chris' journey of faith came about through his Mum, whom having gone through some significant medical struggles, decided to return back to Church and the relationship with God she once had, which also saw Chris discover God for the first time. Since then, Chris has enjoyed discovering more about God's love for him, and eventually found that God was calling him into Pastoral Ministry.
Chris enjoys pastoral care, building up a ministry team and taking on new challenges and projects. He has a relational philosophy of ministry with a leadership that is exemplified in action and through relationship and he is passionate about relational evangelism.

Chris has been married to Kathryn for 13 years and they have two beautiful kids Emelia and Nathaniel.

Fiona Gardner

Youth & Young Adults Ministries

Fiona leads the Youth and Young Adults ministries 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.

Maddison Turner

Interim Worship Ministry Worker

Maddy commenced a day a week to help equip our teams and prepare services each week. Our Sunday Services are a place 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.

Agnes Anandaraj

Office & Hospitality Ministries

Agnes Anandaraj commenced in 2017 to oversee the Office and Hospitality Ministries. Agnes trained as a Civil Engineer in India. At an young age, she committed her life to serving God in all possible ways. Agnes married her husband Anandaraj in 2006 and they are blessed with 2 children. They immigrated to Australia in 2015 and have been attending Toongabbie Baptist Church ever since.
In her free time Agnes likes to bake and watch detective series and courtroom dramas on netflix.

Ariana Shepherdson

Administration Ministries

Ariana Shepherdson is a qualified accountant and has been working in a diversified business roles for the last 7 years with a wide variety of experience. Ariana came to TBC several years ago and has a heart to serve the Lord with her gifts and abilities. She commenced overseeing the administration of the church in 2018 with a desire to see the church property used effectively for God.

Charles Shepherdson

Pendle Hill High SRE Co-ordinator

Charles is married to Ariana and supported by the Church and the Holroyd Special Religious Education Board to co-ordinate Student ministry at Pendle Hill High School.

Mark De Guzman

Pastoral Ministry

Mark De Guzman Mark started Pastoral Ministry after finishing his Diploma in Theology at Morling College in March 2020. Prior to this, Mark was in the Real Estate and Insurance sector specialising in customer care. He is now using this passion to help people of all backgrounds, particularly the sick, lonely and the homeless.
Mark is excited to see how his work at TBC contributes to the transformative work of our holy and gracious God in the lives of men and women both in the church and the community. He finds it a privilege to help and support pastoral ministry volunteers of all ages to work alongside him.

Mark is married to Carol and has two children, Josephine and Elijah. In his spare time, Mark enjoys playing beyblade with his grandchildren Jacob and Eloise.

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 Daniel Podrugovic, Samuel Thevarajah, John Anandanathan, and Stuart Jennings.

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 are Rohan Thevarajah (pictured) and Aaron Dhanaraj (not pictured).