"Significant occasion" marks commissioning of Director of Ministries
On Thursday 17 February, the Baptist community from around Western Australia gathered to celebrate the commissioning of Pastor Victor Owuor as the new Baptist Churches Western Australia Director of Ministries.
This was a “rare occasion… and significant occasion” shared North Beach Baptist Church Senior Pastor, Grant Hendry as he welcomed guests to North Beach Baptist Church.
Grant shared that it had been fourteen years since the last Director of Ministries (DOM), Pastor Mark Wilson had been commissioned to the role and that in this time, significant societal change had occurred.
Dr Carolyn Tan, a member of the DOM Search Team shared about the process that had been undertaken prior to Victor’s nomination and appointment at the 2021 Annual Assembly.
Carolyn shared that the Union Council, along with a facilitation group mapped a journey of discernment that enabled attentive listening to stakeholders from around the state and that the learning from these engagements assisted the Council to shape a job description that met the leadership needs of BCWA.
She shared that the search team, armed with this refined job description then started the process of advertising the role and through an extensive process that incorporated significant times of prayer, Victor was unanimously recommended to the Council and the Assembly as the nominee for the role.
In an email communication to churches following the Assembly, Interim Director of Ministries, Pastor Karen Siggins shared that Victor’s appointment “reflects the need articulated in various recent conversations across BCWA for a leader who will help us hold our current place in history with the confidence that God remains sovereign, and that the gospel of Jesus is still good news for all people.”
“Victor embodies this confidence in word and deed. He is also theologically orthodox and generous; a collegial and collaborative leader who is a good listener and one able to facilitate curious and meaningful conversations.”
“Victor is a trusted and authentic communicator able to publicly and courageously hold the tension of difficult issues while staying true to God’s story in the Bible,” she shared.
As part of the evening service, Victor shared about his journey of faith and how it has been shaped and guided by the people around him.
He shared that in the polarised world we live in today, “It is an opportune time for us to redirect our focus in Christ rather than panicking and looking for directions from sources that contradict our faith”
“The churches current difficulties do not surprise our God… he will place people strategically where he wants them to be as He builds His church.”
“Let us position ourselves with the readiness of obedience and endurance” he encouraged.
Council Member, Pastor Wayne Field commissioned Victor to his new role with members of the Union Council, along with Grant Hendry and Mark Wilson laying hands on Victor and his wife Mary in prayer.
