Staff Changes: A New Chapter in Chaplaincy + 2025 Retirements

Transitions can feel bittersweet, but they also remind us that God continues to call His people into new seasons of service.

At the recent Australian Union Conference Session in September 2025, Pr Richard (Richie) Reid accepted a new calling: Associate Ministerial Association Secretary for Chaplaincy (including Education, Aged Care and Defence) for the Australian Union Conference (AUC).

Pr Richie brings more than 26 years of experience in youth ministry, education, and chaplaincy across multiple conferences. He most recently served as Associate Ministerial Association Secretary for Education in the Greater Sydney Conference (GSC). In his new national role, he will support and strengthen Adventist chaplaincy across the country, recognising its unique reach beyond the local church.

“As I take up this new appointment, I’m passionate about building best practice, advancing professional excellence, and elevating the recognition of chaplaincy as a vital gospel ministry within the Adventist Church in Australia,” he shares. “My vision is to see chaplaincy continue to transform lives through authentic pastoral care, mission engagement, and a Christ-centred presence in every space that one of our Adventist chaplains can be found.”

With Pr Richie’s transfer, Pastor Daron Pratt, also director of Children’s and Family Ministries, will take up the role as Associate Ministerial Secretary for Schools.

“I look forward to serving our chaplain pastors across our great conference,” Pr Daron says. “I believe that our schools are one of our best entities where powerful mission impact can occur. Wes Stafford, former president of Compassion International, said ‘If God places a child before you, it is a divine appointment.’ We have thousands of divine appointments across our schools every day. The best is yet to come.”

GSC President, Pr Alban Matohiti, said, “Pr Daron brings a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to ministry. We are confident that his leadership will greatly bless and support our chaplaincy team and the wider church community.”

Please pray for Pr Richie and Pr Daron as they step into these important roles of service and leadership.

2025 Retirements

At the final ministerial gathering of 2025, we paused to honour Pastor Mario Guzman and his wife, Elizabeth. Pastor Guzman concludes 41 years of dedicated service at the end of this year, having first joined the Conference in 1975 as a maintenance painter.

We also recognise the retirement of Pastor Gary Webster, the Conference’s Cycle of Evangelism Coordinator. Pastor Webster will continue lending support to sister island mission initiatives, with his involvement extending into July 2026.

After nearly a decade on our Conference office team, contributing in Trust Services, reception, and Women’s Ministries, Mrs Nerise Fehlberg is retiring. She is looking forward to spending more time with her family and working on home projects.

CONGRATULATIONS MARIO, GARY AND NERISE! Well done, good and faithful servants.