Programming & Scheduling

I grew up in Sydney, Wagga and Goulburn and through my childhood and school days attended the Anglican Church. However, it was not until just before my HSC that a friend invited me to the Inter-School Christian Fellowship group. There one of my teachers explained the Gospel, and I realised for the first time that simply believing in God and attending church was not enough. I needed to acknowledge that Jesus Christ died to pay the price for my sins, ask for forgiveness for them, and commit my life to Him. As the Christian songwriter Keith Green put it, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald’s makes you a hamburger”.

The Lord soon showed that he had taken charge of my life as, although I had applied to the University of NSW to study Economics, I was granted a scholarship to the University of Sydney to study Agricultural Science. With nowhere organised to stay, my local church minister suggested I try Moore Theological College, which took in a limited number of boarders. I was accepted, and there were three other Christian Agricultural Science students staying there at that time, including Brian Lukins. Brian and the others encouraged me to be involved in the Uni Evangelical Union (EU), and to attend St Barnabas’ church with them. This was a great time of growth for me as a Christian, and I thank God for the many Christians who helped me along the way. I met my wife, Rosemary, at church and University.

After a year as co-leader of the Ag/Vet Science EU group and finishing Uni, I completed a Diploma in Education. I was then employed as a District Agronomist with what was then the NSW Department of Agriculture (now Industry & Investment NSW). After being based in 5 locations around the State I was transferred to Yass, and spent 12 years working there (responsible to Regional Director Don McDonald) and attending the Baptist Church. During that time I married Rosemary and David and Melissa were born.

After starting a Master’s degree in Spatial Information, I was offered a transfer to Orange as a Research Officer in 1994, working in the spatial information field (still with Industry & Investment NSW). Our children attended Calare Public School and later the Orange Christian School. We all attend the Orange Evangelical Church, and have done so since its inception.

The major influences on me as a Christian have been writers such as Robert Murray McCheyne, J.C. Ryle, John Owen, C.S. Lewis, John Stott, Don Carson, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Jerry Bridges and Corrie Ten Boom. I also enjoy reading the Christian fiction of C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Stephen Lawhead and Charles Williams.

I have been an association member and supporter of Rhema Orange since 1994, and been involved as a volunteer since 2004. My major duties have been in loading programs and acting as a backup to Steven Palmer in the weekly program scheduling. More recently, I have been involved as a member of the board.

The reason for my involvement is that I believe that Christian radio has an important role in both spreading the good news about Jesus Christ and encouraging Christians in their walk with Him. Also, I believe it’s an important service to those Christians who are isolated (either geographically or as a result of age or illness) and as a result can’t regularly attend church or meet with other Christians, and to those who are travelling.

As it’s critical what we fill our minds with, is it not better to listen to Christian music and programs if we have the opportunity (Philippians 4:8, Ephesians 4:29, Psalm 101:3)?

Why not consider supporting your local Christian radio station in its task to serve the Lord?

“…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” Isaiah 55:11.