Darren is a long term part of Lilydale Church. He first pastored Lilydale Church from 2004-2009 after working in Adelaide, NZ and East Gippsland. After 10 years working for the Adventist Church at State level he was invited to return as a pastor to Lilydale in 2020. Darren loves being part of Lilydale Church and working in ministry with his wife Rosie. They have 5 children: Jayden, Rylan, Lacey, Tiarey and Amity. Darren believes that the local church is a community uniquely created by God to fulfil God’s plans. He says that while the church is not perfect, and doesn’t claim to be, it always has space for one more person.

Faye loves serving God through creative ministry. She has a passion for youth and developing their skills, church planting and music. She has previous experience as a School Chaplain, Church Planter, Business Owner, Music Teacher, Nurse and more! She has two grown children, Candice and Joshua. Candice enjoys creative writing, music, socialising, and traveling.  Joshua is a pastor in NZ, founder of the Haystack podcast, and married to Danelle. Faye is married to Arman Khan who she describes as her Pakistani Prince.

Rahel serves as the pastor with a special focus and involvement in Lilydale Church’s Youth and Teen ministries, with degrees in counselling and ministry from Avondale University. Rahel comes from a family of four: his brother, Joash; his dad, Hensley, a former pastor who now lectures on New Testament Theology at Avondale; and his mum, Esadora, a payroll officer for NNSW schools. Rahel believes it was God’s calling, after leading out in ministries at Avondale, that persuaded him to continue his studies to become a pastor.

Breanna is returning as a YPW after starting part way through 2024. She is working as an Education Support Officer and Chaplain at Edinburgh College, and has previously been involved in online Ministry at Lilydale Church. She is very excited about working with the new team of YPW’s at Lilydale and continuing to contribute to the ministry of Lilydale Church. 

Micah recently graduated from Edinburgh College and after being accepted into RMIT with a Bachelor’s in Business, has decided to take  a gap year. Micah is into sports, mainly basketball and volleyball at the moment, and plays the bass as a hobby on the side. He is excited and looking forward to working together with the team and seeing how much he can bring to the team.

Tiarey is eager to be joining the Lilydale ministry team this year as one of the 2025 Youth Pastoral Workers. She recently graduated from Edinburgh College and is currently taking a gap year. Tiarey has been blessed to grow up as part of the Lilydale church family and is excited to share her passion for ministry in a hands-on way this year. 

William is excited to be joining the YPW team. He graduated Edinburgh college in 2024 and is now studying music at Monash university. As a YPW his aim is to connect with others, bringing them closer with Jesus. He hopes to use his God given talents to spread his ministry, as well as progress in his personal relationship with Jesus.