Adrian grew up in Adelaide, South Australia. Born into an Adventist family he identified as a “Sevvy” from an early age. As he entered his teen years he didn’t quite know where he fit in, and, though he believed in what Adventism taught, but was still searching for God and himself.
Hi spiritual journey reached a turning point when a girl he was dating broke it off with him. Adrian remembers sitting at church in the back row, and, although he can’t recall the details of the sermon, he has a vivid memory of the closing song “What a friend we have in Jesus”. It caused a deep emotional reaction and a strong conviction that no matter the ups and downs in life, God was an enduring friend. He decided to take his relationship with God more seriously.
Adrian started getting more involved at a local church level serving as a Youth leader. As he served he started to sense a call into ministry. The first friend he talked to about it said he didn’t think it was a real call and the second friend he spoke with agreed. But Adrian disagreed, their responses didn’t sit right with him. The second friend contacted him a few days later after spending some time in prayer and confirmed that Adrian was supposed to go into ministry after all.
Adrian stopped his studies in Mechanical Engineering and enrolled in Avondale straight away. He completed the studies with hope and anticipation for the future but then graduation came and he didn’t get picked up. Still, that sense of calling didn’t leave him. During this time he was challenged with what it meant to serve God, his mentor encouraging him with the words, “you are called into ministry, but you have to wait to be sent”. Adrian’s strong sense of God’s calling sustained him through those years waiting for an official call.
Not one to sit still while waiting, Adrian started volunteer ministry at Kellyville SDA church and worked hard, ministering to the youth in particular. He also did some volunteer ministry work at Epping SDA Church. This time was particularly formative and he formed strong mentor relationships, and grew in skill and experience as a Pastor.
Reflecting on this time, Adrian says now that he looks back on it he sees this season of his life as a ‘refiners fire’, that although it might have been a more difficult path, he was blessed with a fine mentor and churches that allowed him to grow in ministry.
In 2019 when his wife Lyndelle received a call to the Union he moved down to Victoria and was employed by the VIC Conference.
Congratulations Adrian. May you move forward in strength, serving your Lord where He leads.