“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
— Matthew 25:40Faith, Service, and Formation
I was baptised by choice in 2005, marking a conscious commitment to live a life shaped by faith, service, and responsibility to others. In the years that followed, under the guidance of The Very Reverend Father Cary Mansell, I served as an assistant sacristan within the Anglican Church, gaining formative exposure to the liturgical life of the Church and the quiet, practical dimensions of pastoral ministry.
As my faith matured, I became increasingly drawn to youth development and mentorship. I volunteered with the Albert Park Baptist youth program, where I worked with young people on questions of theology, philosophy, identity, and moral formation through a Christian worldview. One particularly meaningful experience involved supporting a young person who had previously been expelled from school to stabilise academically, rebuild confidence, and ultimately transition into university study.
Pastoral Care Through Sport and Community
My understanding of pastoral care has always extended beyond formal ministry settings. For six months, I volunteered weekly with Helping Hoops in North Melbourne, using basketball as a relational tool to support and connect with refugee youth. I also ran free personal training and movement sessions on Saturday mornings at Praxis Athletic and Moran Reserve in Elwood. These sessions grew organically to include more than fifteen participants and reflected a core conviction of mine: that physical health, structure, and community connection should be accessible to all, regardless of background or means.
Theology, Orthodoxy, and Spiritual Depth
My spiritual journey eventually led me to the Orthodox Church, where I was received through Chrismation in the Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia under the pastoral guidance of Father Kyrillos. This marked a deepening of my theological life and a renewed commitment to spiritual discipline, sacramental participation, and continuity with the historic Christian faith.
Alongside this, I have continued regular engagement in theology and philosophy fellowships, which have shaped my understanding of pastoral care, moral reasoning, and the human condition through a distinctly Christian lens.
A Journey Across Christian Traditions
My formation has taken place across multiple Christian traditions, each contributing uniquely to my faith and pastoral outlook. I have been actively involved with, or attended services within, Anglican, Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical/Charismatic, and Eastern Orthodox communities.
From Anglican liturgical reverence, to Catholic sacramental theology, Pentecostal vitality, and the rooted continuity of Orthodoxy, these experiences have cultivated a deep respect for both the diversity and unity of the Christian Church. They have also informed my desire to bridge denominational divides through empathy, thoughtful dialogue, and a shared Christ-centred focus.
Interfaith Engagement and Human Dignity
Beyond Christianity, I have sought to engage respectfully with people of other faith traditions. Through time spent with Melbourne’s Somali Muslim community, Jewish communities in Balaclava and Caulfield, and Hindu and Buddhist groups in Albert Park and Mount Waverley, I gained insight into the values, rituals, and moral frameworks that shape different worldviews.
These encounters strengthened my own faith and reinforced a foundational belief: that every person bears inherent dignity and worth, regardless of creed.
Religious Freedom and Conscience
Religious freedom remains central to my understanding of justice and human rights. I believe deeply in the right of individuals to pursue truth and belief freely, without coercion or fear. This conviction continues to inform how I engage with others across pastoral care, legal work, community service, and interfaith dialogue.