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Introducing Andrew Schmidt:
Andrew Schmidt has been appointed as Pastor of Arvo Church and Valley Heights Community Church 2009.
From Graham Crew
A big “thank you” to the members of the Advisory Team who have consulted, surveyed, interviewed, advised & prayed with me through this period of uncertainty.
Andrew is 33, married to Kathryn and they have a son Caleb who is 1 year old.
Andrew & Kathryn come to us very very highly recommended by all we have spoken to. Among other things, their referees have spoken warmly of Andrew & Kathryn’s passion for people and ministry; his clear & applied preaching; their humility and personableness; and Andrew’s ability to relate to people across the ages and groupings.
Andrew has spent the past 4 years training at Moore College, and working as a catechist (student minister) at St George North & Wentworthville Churches. He is a candidate for ordination in the Anglican Church. Prior to entering College he trained in MTS at St Paul’s Carlingford with Neil Fitzpatrick!
Before this Andrew worked as a solicitor with Clayton Utz for 5 years, after completing his 5 years of Economic Law degrees, with honours. He attended James Ruse Ag High School.
From Andrew
What are your favourite foods, relaxation, holiday venue, books, music etc?
I like most foods but I especially enjoy winter comfort foods like braised lamb shanks, and big hot breakfasts. Kathryn enjoys roasts and anything with chocolate. Caleb likes mandarins (at the moment)!!! We’ve enjoyed a few holidays up at Port Stephens lately, and I am rather proud of the fact that I went for a swim there in July. OK, so it was cold, but I still enjoyed it. I like reading classics (eg. currently reading some Dickens). Kathryn’s favourite book is Jane Eyre, and anything by Jane Austen. She’s currently enjoying Jodi Picoult’s books. Caleb loves Thomas the Tank Engine. Music wise, we listen to everything from classical to a little bit of jazz and various contemporary things. Currently enjoying a new CD by Newton Faulkner.
What you did before college - study and work?
I worked as a lawyer on large scale construction contracts. I was involved in the contracts for the Epping to Chatswood railway and the Alice Springs to Darwin railway, although I’m not sure I should admit it!! Kathryn worked as an orthoptist, which is eyes not feet!!! She assisted an eye specialist as he sees his patients.
What strange hobbies or interests or talents do you have?
Lately I have developed a slightly unbalanced interest in my fourth year project topic – lending money at interest. I am often searching the internet for more books about it. We also used to make jars and jars of marmalade from our cumquat tree, but we haven’t done that for a while now. In the department of strange talents, I have various double joints and can (almost) do the splits. (From the editor – this rare talent, though shared with Michael Phelps, is not one that usually required for ministry, though flexibility can help in parish)
What are your passions in ministry and life?
I really enjoy sharing Jesus with strangers, and also helping people to think through how the gospel reaches into every area of their lives. Kathryn has a passion for reading the Bible with women one to one, and encouraging others to do the same. Although, at the moment, fitting this around Caleb is a challenge. Both of us have a passion for children (especially our own!!) to know Christ. Caleb’s main ministry area at the moment is giving encouraging pats.
What were your previous ministries inside and outside church?
University ministry (at UWS Parramatta), workplace ministry (ECOM in the city), leading Bible studies, PTC, one to one discipling, and lots of other things as part of MTS. Both of us have done MTS (Kathryn first, and me later). A very few people might remember that I came to Springwood for an AFES mission in 2004!
What have you enjoyed about College?
Although some have the impression that it’s really hard work, I have actually loved the study side of things. But we’ve also developed some very important relationships which we believe will continue throughout life. This year, living at Newtown, has been a challenge space wise, but has been enjoyable for many reasons including proximity to college, church, friends and Newtown’s pleasures such as Thai, pizza, baklava, coffee and gelato.
What are some prayer points for you between now and December?
- For my 4th year project (15,000 word thesis) and other college work, pray that I can work well and achieve something which will be useful for ministry down the track, and that Kathryn can keep her sanity!
- Pray for our preparation for ministry at Springwood. Pray that we might get some useful opportunities to think and pray about next year so that our ministry there would be effective from the start.
- Pray for us and our church family at St George Nth as we leave there. We will miss them, and (we like to think) they will miss us
- Pray for the logistics of our packing and moving
- As always, pray for our growth in faith, hope and love, remembering that Jesus could return any day.
