At The Gathering in May 2026, Andrew Kerr was appointed to the Assembly Council.
As the pastor at Gundagai Baptist Church, his week can include preaching, leading Bible studies, providing pastoral care and responding to whatever needs arise. “We’re fairly typical of a lot of country churches,” Andrew says. “We cover cradle to the grave. It’s very much a big family. It’s a blessing to be a part of it.”
Andrew has served as a Baptist minister for four and a half years, following what he describes as a mid-life career change. Before entering pastoral ministry, he spent many years working as a Bank Manager with St George. He spent a few early years at the Anglican Church in Forbes and then Parkes before leaving church behind for around ten years. He then joined Forbes Baptist Church, where over the years he served as a Youth Group leader, deacon and church secretary, supporting the life and ministry of the church while working full-time.
In 2018, Andrew and his wife, Kellie, found themselves asking a significant question: “What are we actually doing?” That conversation led Andrew to study at Sydney Missionary & Bible College. Shortly after finishing his time there, he began his role as Pastor of Gundagai Baptist Church.
Today, he’s part of a small but growing, cross-generational church that has been serving its community for around forty years. Around twenty children and teenagers are part of the church family, alongside young couples, families and older members who continue to serve faithfully. One couple in their 90s are still actively involved, with the 93-year-old husband regularly putting the bins out and tending the church gardens.
The church runs Kids Church, a youth group, weekly Bible studies and a mums’ group, while continually praying for God to raise up new leaders. They are also seeing people come to faith through relationships built in the community, including a couple who began asking deeper questions during the COVID years and are now growing as new disciples of Jesus.
Andrew’s ministry extends beyond Gundagai. He serves as a Creating Safe Spaces trainer across the region and is actively involved in the Riverina Baptist Network, regularly gathering online for prayer and encouragement.
That regional perspective is one of the reasons Andrew has joined Assembly Council.
When he was asked to consider nominating for an upcoming vacancy on Assembly Council, Andrew took time to pray, reflect and seek advice. “I asked pretty much everyone I knew what they thought,” he laughs. Ultimately, he sensed it would be an opportunity to serve both the Association the Riverina and Gundagai.
“It’s great to get a broad range of different voices to speak into the Association,” Andrew says. “There’s incredible diversity amongst our churches. It’s important to have voices that represent who we are.”
He believes Assembly Council is strengthened when members bring different experiences, gifts and perspectives to the table. “We are guided by people who are equal and can all be a voice,” he says. “Different people bring different skills and abilities to support the Association.”
While serving from regional NSW once presented practical challenges, Andrew says technology has made participation far more accessible.
“Technology means distance doesn’t become the barrier for representation anymore,” Andrew explains. “Being able to jump on a Teams meeting makes it so simple. I can connect and participate and still have dinner with my family.”
At the same time, he values opportunities to gather in person whenever possible. “You can build rapport over a screen but face-to-face helps build strong relationships.”
Please keep Andrew, all our Assembly Council members, regional teams in your prayers. Pray that God would give them wisdom and a pastoral heart as they guide our movement forward in our Gen1K vision.
