Wesley Mission Annual Report 2020 - Flipbook - Page 54
Governance
Celebrating the leadership and
legacy of the Rev Keith Garner
Rev Keith V Garner AM will retire at the end of 2020 after
15 years as CEO and Superintendent of Wesley Mission
and more than 40 years in ministry.
He began his ministry at Plymouth Central Hall
in 1980, was ordained as a Methodist Minister
in 1982 and went on to be Minister and then
Superintendent, overseeing one of Britain’s
largest churches. He completed his Master of
Theology at Oxford in 1995 and was appointed
Chair of District in 2001.
Having preached throughout the world the call
came from Australia in 2005 to take on
leadership of Wesley Mission. And in 2006 the
Rev Keith Garner succeeded the Rev Dr
Gordon Moyes as Superintendent of Wesley
Mission.
In his first sermon, given at his induction to
Wesley Mission, the Rev Keith Garner’s words
reflect the energy and commitment that have
characterised his leadership -
Highlights
from the last
15 years
54
Welcoming the Rev Stu Cameron
as CEO/Superintendent in 2021
Keith will be remembered as an evangelist,
delivering a strong call to the city and also as a
leader of great administrative ability, who led
the Wesley Mission team toward consistent
growth during times of unprecedented change
and upheaval. All whilst focussed on the clear
vision to continue the work of Jesus Christ in
Word and deed.
“I hope we will discover through new and visionary
ways – to care for people, to empower the weak, to
find ways of serving in aged care, disability services
and those whose lives have been damaged by
unemployment, to raise the profile of Wesley
Mission as friend of all and enemy of none… we
want to launch out in exciting and new ways to
serve God. Safety is not an option! Our hope will be,
as Charles Wesley put it, “To serve the present age.”
Wesley Mission has grown remarkably since this
time, through incorporation and by increasing the
number of community services and locations in
New South Wales, and across Australia through
national efforts to prevent suicide. In the last 10
years alone, revenue has grown 101 per cent, with
Wesley Mission in its best financial position and
able to help more people than ever before.
It is with thankfulness to the Lord that I introduce
you to the incoming CEO and Superintendent of
Wesley Mission, the Rev Stu Cameron.
Stu comes to Wesley Mission after a significant
ministry in Queensland where he led Newlife
Church’s three campuses in Brisbane, Gold Coast
and Coolangatta. Together these make up the
largest church within the Uniting Church in
Australia. He has also held senior leadership roles
including Uniting Church General Secretary in
South Australia and has a particular passion for
the community services that have played an
important role in both of those faith communities.
“Keith Garner is a remarkable exemplar
of a Christian leader…”
The Hon John Howard OM AC, Prime Minister
of Australia (1996-2007)
“Motivated by faith, driven by compassion,
and constrained by the challenge of
business… Keith has balanced this true
challenge with grace, humility and clarity
every day.”
Meredith Scott, CEO, Opportunity International
Australia
I have experienced Stu to have an inquisitive and
agile mind, possessing strong business acumen
with a background in accountancy, an eagerness
to work collaboratively and a vision for the church.
Having served as Lead Minister at Newlife for
nearly 15 years, answering the call to lead Wesley
Mission only came after much prayerful
consideration.
“A person who knows how to care for those
that society ignores… and how to inspire
people toward repentance and new life
with actions and words of hope…
Keith Garner is such a leader, and a
gift to the Church.”
Rev Simon Hansford, Moderator of the Uniting
Church in Australia, Synod of NSW & ACT
Stu will be only the 10th Superintendent in Wesley
Mission’s 208-year history, and makes an initial
10-year commitment to the role, which is rare in
this day and age. But knowing the great privilege
it is to serve the Australian community by leading
this uniquely shaped organisation, I am sure that
this new role will provide Stu with a meaningful
challenge and equally a great blessing.
Both Carol and I offer our prayers and support as
Stu and Sue settle into life in Sydney. Stu and I
will be working closely together over the next few
months as part of our transition plan and Stu will
officially take the reins in January 2021.
Warmly yours in Jesus Christ,
Rev Keith V Garner AM
CEO/Superintendent
2006
2012
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2019
2019
2019
2020
2020
Rev Keith Garner
appointed
Expansion of
suicide
prevention
services
Wesley Mission
becomes an
incorporated
association
NDIS accreditation
and changes to
home care
Pilot programs
for parents and
children
Programs to
support young
people leaving
foster care
Expansion
of early
intervention
programs
First community
hub opens in
Taree
Significant
anniversaries for
congregations
Signatory to halve
homelessness in
NSW by 2025
Initiating plans for
the redevelopment
of Wesley RJ
Williams
Next community
hub opens in
Newcastle
Redevelopment
of Wesley Edward
Eagar Centre
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