Hugh Isaacs
Hugh is our Acting Lead Pastor and an experienced Interim Transitional Minister. He is working with the pastoral team and congregation as they undertake the search for a new Lead Pastor. Hugh's wife Rosemary is a medical doctor who has been involved for many years with the Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia. They have three adult children and a small Pugaleir named Monty. In his spare time Hugh enjoys golf, gardening, reading, watching sports and downsizing.
Ben Gow
Ben loves people, sharing meals with them, drinking coffee with them, and playing Pokémon with them. He’s married to Ash and has a little son named Asaph.
Ben is our Kiwi immigrant who reportedly served the NZ Airforce for a number of years. Who knew that they had an airforce? We didn’t. And Ben says “it doesn’t have fighter jets though”, but we don’t know if he’s kidding. We hope so.
Ben joined the team at St. John’s in 2023 as the Youth and Evening Church Pastor. He has the great privilege of caring for the youth of St. John’s as well as the beautiful people in our evening congregation. He believes it’s the best job in the world.
Linda Billingham
Linda takes delight in spending time with the kids, be it her own four or the mob at church. With a background in music teaching, Linda oversees the Sunday kids church programme at St John’s. It is her joy to facilitate moments of fun, frivolity and learning, as God’s Spirit continually grows the faith of these children. Linda also co-ordinates Scripture in our local churches, which seeks to spread the hope of Jesus in our local schools. She is married to Jonathan, who works as Dean of Residence at New College, where they live surrounded by hundreds of university students.
Yvette Walker
Yvette tends to our operations & admin management, bringing with her a wide range of expertise to the role. With a background in competitive water sports, property management, pastoral ministry, book-keeping and professional textiles, she uses her skills to support and build systems, rosters and the business-functioning of our church. Yvette also brings a personal touch, she is passionate about listening to, welcoming and supporting people, whether through leading Bible study, friendships or community volunteering. She is married to Nick and has three kids (Quinlan, Amielle & Taya) and two cats (Dash & Ash).
Harry Peart
Harry studies at the University of New South Wales and joined St John’s in 2024, He now teaches Scripture throughout the week and coordinates the Friday BRAVO kids club. He loves sharing the Gospel of Jesus with the children in Maroubra (and anywhere). He also loves reading the Bible with other university students, and spends heaps of time involved in ministry on campus at the UNSW. Harry loves going to the beach, skateboarding, and spending hours making playlists. He lives on campus at New College studying Secondary Education, and he visits family back home in New Zealand every now and then.
Evelyn Defina
Evelyn is our Families and Women’s Pastor (honorary), bringing to the role her experience as a psychologist working with children, adolescents and families with diverse backgrounds and challenges. Supporting families to raise their own kids and teens in the faith, is her vision with Thriving Families. Alongside this she spends time with women, side by side, helping them delve deeper into their walk with Jesus and God’s vision for them personally. She also lends her support to staff where she can, for the common good of our community. Trained in dance/dance ministry, and a lifetime ago, was in ministry with Excelsia College, Evelyn loves to dance, pray and read God’s Word all at the same time! She’s married to Pete and has 2 adult children, Natasha now married to John, and Lewis.
Heather Steinmetz
Heather is Seniors’ Pastor and has responsibility for growing a prayer culture at St John’s. Heather works part-time plus some volunteer hours in areas outside her role. She is a Grandma to four and Great-Grandma to one. Fortunately, two of her grandkids are in Prague, so she HAS to travel there occasionally. She loves words and can be found uttering to herself the phrase ‘twas brillig and the slithy toves’. Some of the words she loves are even understandable. Did we say she loves prayer and seeks to lead others in prayer? Amen.