Rev Andrew Broadbent celebrated his ordination into the role of Deacon on Sunday 22 February at Uniting Church in the City, Wesley Perth.
Andrew committed his life to Jesus at the age of 14. After a career in teaching English and Phys Ed, Andrew worked as a chaplain at City Beach High School, Lake Joondalup Baptist College and Clarkson Community College. During this time he also completed a theology degree through Murdoch University.
Through his role as the WA state co-ordinator of TEAR Australia, Andrew grew his understanding of community development and his call for working with people on the margins. During this time, he completed a Master of Theology at Notre Dame University, with a focus on mission.
Andrew applied to candidate for ministry within the Uniting Church in WA after encouragement from his minister, Rev Dennis Doust, and other members of Beldon Uniting Church, where Andrew was attending with his family.
Using Luke 4:18–19, Rev Dr Ian Robinson preached at the ordination service.
The passage reads, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
“This passage is the crux of the future church,” said Ian.
He continued, saying there are lots of ways we can live out this gospel, and that there is a place for all of us.
“We are all sent out into the world with a gospel to proclaim. We simply start doing it somewhere, somehow, anyhow, anywhere, with whomever, whenever, in the spirit of Jesus,” he said.
Andrew will begin the next step in his ministry in a placement with Busselton Uniting Church.
“A big part of Andrew’s sense of call centres around his desire to work closely with one particular community,” said Rosemary Hudson Miller, acting general secretary of the Uniting Church in WA. “So it is with a great sense of excitement that he and his family begin this next phase of ministry in Busselton.”
Details of Andrew’s induction service will be available soon.