Pastors & Staff

On Sunday, 15 November, at Kiwirrkura, which must surely be the most remote community of the Lutheran Church in Australia, John West was ordained by LCA Bishop John Henderson.

On Sunday 15 November, Neville Doecke was installed as Pastoral Support Worker for the Western Arrarnta communities of Central Australia.

Lutheran evangelist of more than 40 years, Tjuki Pumpjack, died at Imanpa on 7 September 2015. Born in 1924, Tjuki was a great leader and helper for his people.

Pastor Rodney Malbunka was recently ordained at Hermannsburg. Alice Springs historian, Josie Petrick, has known his family ever since 1962. This is her story about Rodney and his family.

Lutheran Community Care worker Wendy-Lea Lechleitner has deep roots in the Lutheran Church so when a position came up for a Money Worker on the ‘Mission Block’, she jumped at the chance.

On Saturday 7th March 2015, the new church at Tara was officially opened by Finke River Mission Pastor Darryl Mattner and local pastors Christopher Tjanima and Michael Tjapiard.

Pastor Darryl Mattner was installed to work in the Anmatjere and Alyawarr region. The area is about three hours north-west, three hours north and about four hours north-east from Alice Springs.

In 2009 Lutheran Community Care was invited to work with Finke River Mission to respond to the needs of the local community. They set up on ‘the Block’ in Alice Springs five years ago.

Pastor Jim Brown was ordained in 1998 after many years of ministry in the southern Kimberley, eastern Pilbara and Kiwirrkura.

Rodney Malbunka is set to become an ordained pastor, after overcoming a long battle with alcohol and acknowledging the hand of God in his recovery.