WHO WE ARE
OUR MISSION
Our Mission is 'MAKING and MATURING Disciples of Jesus Together'
OUR VALUES
GOD CENTRED LIVES
We long for every member of our church family to follow Jesus in humble discipleship: living holy and prayerful lives to the glory of God.
Matthew 16:24-26
GOSPEL CENTRED HEARTS
We desire that every member, in both heart and mind, be driven to share the gospel and make disciples.
2 Corinthians 5:14-20
WORD CENTRED TEACHING
We uphold the Word of God as the ultimate authority in life and doctrine, for it is God’s means of saving and transforming lives.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
LOVE CENTRED CHURCH
We strive to be a loving church family for all people, of all ages and all cultures, united in Christ and looking forward to heaven together.
Revelation 7:9-10
SERVICE CENTRED MEMBERS
We seek to equip and empower every member to serve Jesus with the gifts He has given them.
Ephesians 4:11-16
OUR BELIEFS
GOD
We believe that there is one God who exists eternally in three Persons–the Father who saves people by drawing them to his Son through the Holy Spirit. These three are one in power and glory. We believe that God’s Holy Spirit gives Christians, as they rely on Him, the daily strength and wisdom they need to walk according to His will and to grow in holiness.
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HUMANITY
We believe that all people are sinners and are unable to save themselves or even co-operate with God in efforts to earn their salvation. All people, men and women, are created in God’s image and are called to love God with all their beings. However, since the first rebellion (called the fall), all people are guilty of rebellion against God and human nature is thoroughly corrupted by sin. This makes everyone subject to God’s righteous anger and condemnation.
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JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ, as the eternal Son of God, became man, lived, died and rose again to atone for the sins of those who trust Him alone for their salvation. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and mankind. We believe in the full divinity and the full humanity of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. He is the fullest and final revelation of God to mankind.
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SALVATION
We believe that salvation comes by God drawing people to the Lord Jesus Christ by his Holy Spirit. He convinces them of their sin and enlightens them so that they repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as He is offered in the Gospel. Salvation is the gracious gift of God and cannot be earned or deserved.
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CHRIST RETURN
We believe that Jesus Christ shall return personally, visibly and bodily to judge all mankind and to receive His people unto Himself. On that day all sin, suffering, pain and death will be completely destroyed and God will be glorified forever.
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THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is the written Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is our infallible and divine authority in all matters of faith and life.
We are Evangelical, Reformed and Presbyterian
MINISTRY TEAM
JOHN HUYNH
Senior Minister
John joined St Stephen's in January 2012. He is married to Yvonne and they are blessed with three lovely children, Esther, Caleb and Ethan, who bring them enormous joy. John did his theological training at Moore Theological College and completed his Presbyterian distinctives at the Presbyterian Theological College.
Together, they continue to be amazed at the grace of God, that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, He would lavish on them the right to be his children. John and Yvonne's desire and prayer is that the love of Jesus and the transforming Word of God would so captivate our church community, so that we will make an eternal impact into Surrey Hills and beyond for the generations to come.
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John also chairs the Engage Leadership Conference (a partner ministry of TGCA), which seeks to equip Christians across our state to engage, handle and teach God's Word.
OLI BLYTHE
Associate Minister
Oli joined St Stephen's in late 2019 and is an associate minister. He is married to Cassie, and together with Levi, their son, they love serving God together. Oli did his theological training at the Presbyterian Theological College.
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Oli is passionate about teaching the gospel and seeing people come to know and love the true and living God. He and Cassie's desire is to see St Stephen's continue to be a light shining on a hill, pointing people to Jesus.
To relax, Oli enjoys footy (though he has the displeasure of supporting Melbourne) and board games.
MICHELLE GERUNGAN
Women's Ministry Worker
Michelle joined St Stephen’s in 2018 as the Women’s Ministry Worker. She was born in Sydney, where she trained at Moore Theological College, and has moved to Melbourne since graduating. She loves Melbourne where there are plenty of opportunities to serve God and lots of good coffee around.
Michelle became a Christian during her time at uni after God taught her that there was nothing she could do to earn His favour, she needed Jesus. One of Michelle’s favourite things is to see God’s Word transform lives as she reads it with the people around her. Now she has the privilege of doing this more as she focuses on teaching the Bible and discipling women to maturity.
Her desire is to see many come to know the grace and forgiveness found in Jesus, to see men and women working together for the cause of the gospel, and to see many women raised up to serve the Lord.
IAN JONES
Children's Ministry Worker
Ian has been part of St Stephen's since 1995. He is married to Jennie and they have four adult children. Ian did his theological training part-time at PTC over 8 years while working in a small business. He has been involved in the kids church ministry since 2012 as a teacher and has been the team leader since 2015.
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Seeing kids learn the truths of God's word and maturing as followers of Jesus is what brings Ian and the team great joy. It is Ian's prayer that all our kids will continue to trust in Jesus as they face the challenges of living as followers of Jesus.
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Ian enjoys running, playing golf, reading and hopes to have more holidays with his family.
ADITYA KUTHALAM
Ministry Apprentice
Ads joined St Stephen's at the beginning of 2021 and will be undertaking a 2 year ministry apprenticeship with our church from the beginning of 2023. He is married to Loraine, and together they love serving God and spending time with people. Ads has completed a Graduate Diploma of Divinity at the Reformed Theological College and is currently undertaking a Master of Divinity at the Presbyterian Theological College.
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Ads finds his joy in the Lord Jesus Christ and is continually thankful for the amazing grace that God has shown to him and Loraine. Ads is passionate to see people come to a saving faith in Christ through faithful gospel proclamation and evangelistic endeavours and to see them grow into mature disciples through careful study of the bible, discipleship and serving together as a community.
For recreation, Ads enjoys hitting the gym, playing various sports, going for walks as well as meeting up with people either at a café or at his and Loraine’s place for a meal and board games.
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For more information on Ads’ apprenticeship, prayer points and how you can financially partner with him, please visit: