About Us
Church Staff
- Senior Minister
- Rev Raj Gupta
- Sunday Night Church Pastor
- Mark Earngey
- Children's Minister
- Kat Harris
- Youth Minister
- Tim Johnson
- Student Ministers
- David Adams
- Mark North
- Ben Pakula
- Other
- Office Manager
- Past Staff
Senior Minister, Rev Raj Gupta
Raj’s parents migrated from Haryana State, India to Australia and Raj was born in Brisbane not long after they arrived. Growing up in a nominal Hindu family, he first heard about Jesus’ death and resurrection as a teenager.
Given his family background, he had to wrestle with himself to work out the personal and intellectual basis for Jesus. He remembers that ‘it was amazing to understand that Jesus died for my sins and that I could be forgiven’.
As he grew as a person he longed to understand more about what God has said to us in the Bible.
His years studying Accounting at the University of New South Wales provided just that opportunity because of the availability of a Bible teaching Christian group. It was also over this time that God put on his heart the need and opportunity to consider becoming a full time Christian pastor.
Following his degree, Raj worked as an accountant for a number of years before deciding to retrain to become a pastor. Having completed an apprenticeship scheme for pastors, he began formal theological training at Moore College at Newtown. Since then he has worked in churches around Sydney, including St Ives and Engadine, before commencing as the Senior Minister of Toongabbie Anglican Church in April 2007.
Raj is also involved in the training of young men and women in ministry. In November will be leading a Katoomba Christian Convention team to set up a leadership training conference in Uganda.
It was also at university that he met Nicole, to whom he is now married. Today they have three children, aged between 3 and 8. He has been spotted at the gym from time to time, and loves cricket (at least watching it!). And in case you’re wondering, when Australia and India play, the winner is cricket!
Assistant Minister, Rev. Mark Earngey
Growing up in inner city Sydney, and being blessed with a wonderful Christian family, Mark was called by the Lord Jesus and converted during study at the University of New South Wales (BSc. Computer Science). After working in IT for a few years (Sensis Pty Ltd.), Mark was called by the Lord into vocational Christian ministry. Having recently completed his Bachelor of Divinity at Moore Theological College (Sydney), Mark now serves at Toongabbie Anglican Church as the Assistant Minister.
He is excited at the privilege of serving the 6pm congregation (Sunday Night Church), and is praying that the Lord would bless us richly. Mark also runs small bible study groups, Christianity explained courses, and loves to meet with people to talk about life, the world and God. When he's got a bit of free time he loves to read theological books written by Francis Schaeffer, C.S. Lewis, John Calvin, and various 16th and 17th century Christians.
Mark's married to the lovely Tanya, who comes from South African and isn't quite sure who to support in the cricket! She's got a great singing voice, and you might occasionally hear her during the praise at Toongabbie Anglican. Mark plays and watches cricket, enjoys hiphop music, blogs at earngey.info, and would like to think of himself as somewhat of a ‘budding’ gardener!
If you're interested in what goes on at Toongabbie Anglican Church, Mark would love you to send him an email and get in touch! Or better yet, why not come and drop in on us on Sunday nights at 6pm. Whatever the case, Mark would be keen to help you connect with Jesus.
Children's Minister, Kat Harris
Kat started as the Children's Minister at Toongabbie Anglican at the beginning of 2009. She is married to Steve. She enjoys a good chat, chocolate and tennis.
Youth Minister, Tim Johnson
Tim started at the Youth Minister at Toongabbie Anglican at the beginning of 2012.
Student Ministers
David Adams
Mark North
Ben Pakula
Other
Office Manager
Part time office manager: Belinda McLean
Past Staff
2007-2011: Assistant Minister, Rev Donny Kwan
Donny Kwan started as the assistant minister of Toongabbie Anglican in December 2007. In 2011 he moved to West Ryde Anglican Church.
1996-2007: Senior Minister, Rev. Philip Bassett B.Sc., Th. L.
Philip trained as a Chemical Engineer at U.N.S.W. and served in industry in quality control and industrial research.
Philip trained for ministry at Moore Theological College from 1977-9. He served as Assistant Minister at Hornsby Heights and Balgowlah before moving to Campbelltown to plant a new church in the new housing estate at Ambarvale. During this time he became the Curate-in-Charge of the new parish of Cataract with Ambarvale. From 1990 to 1996 Philip served as Rector of the Murchison with BCA in outback Western Australia.
Philip was Senior Minister at Toongabbie Anglican Church from September 1996 till his retirement on 27 February 2007.
2001-07: Associate Minister, Neil Atwood Dip YthMin
Neil was the Associate Minister at Toongabbie Anglican Church from August 2001 to January 2007.
Currently Neil is an associate minister at Springwood Anglican Church.
Keep up with Neil at his blog Westserve.
Youth Minister, Chris Forder
Chris Forder will be commencing full time study at SMBC in 2010.
2008-9: MTS Apprentice, Ben Atwood
Ben Atwood was a MTS Apprentice at Toongabbie Anglican Church in 2008-9. Ben Atwood will be commencing full time study at SMBC in 2010.
2006: MTS Apprentice, Laura Rowland
2010-2011: Student Minister, Mike Hastie
Mike Hastie was a student minister in 2010-2011.
2010-2011: Student Minister, Campbell Mackay
Campbell Mackay was a student minister in 2010-2011.
2009: Student Minister, Ben Pakula
Ben Pakula was a student minister in 2009.
2008-9: Student Minister, Paul Brigden
Paul Bridgen was a student minister at Toongabbie Anglican Church in 2008-9.
2008-9: Student Minister, Luke Woodhouse
Luke Woodhouse was a student minister at Toongabbie Anglican Church in 2008-9.
2007-8: Student Minister, Garry Dibley
Garry Dibley was a student minister at Toongabbie Anglican Church for 2007-2008.
2006: MTS Apprentice, Tim Adams
Tim was an MTS Apprentice at Toongabbie Anglican Church in 2005. In 2006 he started full-time study at Moore Theological College and moved to a student minister position at Toongabbie Anglican Church.
In 2007, Tim moved to Macquarie Anglican Churches as a student minister.