Ministry Staff
Senior Minister: John Reid
I have been the senior minister at Mona Vale Anglican Church for just over 18 years. I have been married to Jenni for over 30 years and we have two children: Joanna and James. Joanna has two daughters - Evelyn and Lucy, and they are a delight!
I was brought up in both England and Ireland, and although my parents would have described themselves as Christian, we really knew nothing about who Jesus really is. When I was at Sydney University in 1974 my grandfather died, and this got me thinking about what happens after death. I asked a friend to take me to church, and at that time made a commitment to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.
I worked in the Shipping world for about 8 years and experienced a very different way of life. During that time I was also a volunteer in the youth ministry in my local church, and determined that full time ministry was the best place for me to serve our Lord.
I entered Moore College in 1983, married Jenni in 1984, and was Ordained into the Anglican Church in 1987. Jenni and I worked in Green Valley, south-west of Sydney for two years, and Keiraville just outside Wollongong for a further two years as assistant minister.
In 1990 the parish of Toongabbie invited me to become their senior minister, and we spent much of our time equipping the saints for ministry. We loved our time there and still enjoy great friendships from that time. In 1995 we moved to Cambridge Park, a parish with 4 centres and a different role in a large church. Towards the end of 2000 the Nominators from Mona Vale asked us to join our brothers and sisters here.
Mona Vale Anglican church is a very friendly group of people, we have worked hard together to understand what church is all about, and to practise that in all our relationships. I am fairly informal in style, and that suits the Northern Beaches approach to life and indeed our gatherings on Sundays. We have seen people come to faith in Christ and grow in their relationship with him. We continue to work together to impact our community and I am looking forward to many years of working with those who commit to our ethos of making a difference for eternity – together.
I have been the senior minister at Mona Vale Anglican Church for just over 18 years. I have been married to Jenni for over 30 years and we have two children: Joanna and James. Joanna has two daughters - Evelyn and Lucy, and they are a delight!
I was brought up in both England and Ireland, and although my parents would have described themselves as Christian, we really knew nothing about who Jesus really is. When I was at Sydney University in 1974 my grandfather died, and this got me thinking about what happens after death. I asked a friend to take me to church, and at that time made a commitment to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.
I worked in the Shipping world for about 8 years and experienced a very different way of life. During that time I was also a volunteer in the youth ministry in my local church, and determined that full time ministry was the best place for me to serve our Lord.
I entered Moore College in 1983, married Jenni in 1984, and was Ordained into the Anglican Church in 1987. Jenni and I worked in Green Valley, south-west of Sydney for two years, and Keiraville just outside Wollongong for a further two years as assistant minister.
In 1990 the parish of Toongabbie invited me to become their senior minister, and we spent much of our time equipping the saints for ministry. We loved our time there and still enjoy great friendships from that time. In 1995 we moved to Cambridge Park, a parish with 4 centres and a different role in a large church. Towards the end of 2000 the Nominators from Mona Vale asked us to join our brothers and sisters here.
Mona Vale Anglican church is a very friendly group of people, we have worked hard together to understand what church is all about, and to practise that in all our relationships. I am fairly informal in style, and that suits the Northern Beaches approach to life and indeed our gatherings on Sundays. We have seen people come to faith in Christ and grow in their relationship with him. We continue to work together to impact our community and I am looking forward to many years of working with those who commit to our ethos of making a difference for eternity – together.
Children's Minister: Sue Dunn
I have been a member of the Mona Vale Anglican Church family since 2009. I am married to Simon and have 2 kids, Katelyn and Andrew.
My journey of coming to Christ began in 2009 through the process of having my then 3 month old daughter baptised. Prior to that I hadn’t realised that knowing about God and knowing God were actually two very different things. It was the promises that I had made to God during that baptism ceremony that completely changed my life. I realised then and there that a person can lie to their family and friends, they can even lie to themselves but they can’t lie to God – because he always knows what you’re actually thinking and doing – even before you do! The most mind blowing thing for me is that God knows everything about us, yet he still loves us anyway. That is one incredible love.
During the baptism I had promised God that I would teach my kids about Him and to bring them up knowing Him and so began my incredible journey of faith which somehow found me here teaching the kids of Mona Vale Anglican all about Him. I have experienced both a “knowing about God” and “knowing God” life and I definitely know which I flourish under and so it is my passion to be able to help kids get to really know God and what he wants for their lives because I know how great life is with Him in it.
I would love to meet you and your kids on Sundays @ 10am for Kids Church or Wednesday afternoons at our afterschool kids club “God’s House” (3-5.30pm during school term).
I have been a member of the Mona Vale Anglican Church family since 2009. I am married to Simon and have 2 kids, Katelyn and Andrew.
My journey of coming to Christ began in 2009 through the process of having my then 3 month old daughter baptised. Prior to that I hadn’t realised that knowing about God and knowing God were actually two very different things. It was the promises that I had made to God during that baptism ceremony that completely changed my life. I realised then and there that a person can lie to their family and friends, they can even lie to themselves but they can’t lie to God – because he always knows what you’re actually thinking and doing – even before you do! The most mind blowing thing for me is that God knows everything about us, yet he still loves us anyway. That is one incredible love.
During the baptism I had promised God that I would teach my kids about Him and to bring them up knowing Him and so began my incredible journey of faith which somehow found me here teaching the kids of Mona Vale Anglican all about Him. I have experienced both a “knowing about God” and “knowing God” life and I definitely know which I flourish under and so it is my passion to be able to help kids get to really know God and what he wants for their lives because I know how great life is with Him in it.
I would love to meet you and your kids on Sundays @ 10am for Kids Church or Wednesday afternoons at our afterschool kids club “God’s House” (3-5.30pm during school term).
Ministries Co-ordinator: Mark Corbett-Jones
I have been at St John’s for over 27 years now. I have lived all my life on the Northern Beaches. I attended Sunday school till I was 9 and always considered myself a Christian. But in hindsight I was not because I was dealing with God on my terms not his. When I was 34 I returned to the church as a result of attending the Baptism Explained sessions with Rev. Ron Coleman. I realised the importance of the promises I was going to make and have been here ever since.
I worked as an IT professional for over 34 years. In my last role I also oversaw the company’s social engagement activity which brought me in contact with many fantastic charities including World Vision. I thought if ever I changed jobs, it would be great to do something with one of them – little did I know what was in store. In 2009 my company was looking to downsize, but rather than seek voluntary redundancy I left it in God’s hands. Three months later I was made redundant on a Thursday and on the following Sunday, St John’s announced a partnership with World Vision which just goes to show that God has a plan for us all.
I got married here at St John’s in 1989 to Sue and we have two boys – Ben age 27 who is a mechanical engineer and Shaun age 25 who works for a bank. I like surfing, skiing and playing golf.
I have been at St John’s for over 27 years now. I have lived all my life on the Northern Beaches. I attended Sunday school till I was 9 and always considered myself a Christian. But in hindsight I was not because I was dealing with God on my terms not his. When I was 34 I returned to the church as a result of attending the Baptism Explained sessions with Rev. Ron Coleman. I realised the importance of the promises I was going to make and have been here ever since.
I worked as an IT professional for over 34 years. In my last role I also oversaw the company’s social engagement activity which brought me in contact with many fantastic charities including World Vision. I thought if ever I changed jobs, it would be great to do something with one of them – little did I know what was in store. In 2009 my company was looking to downsize, but rather than seek voluntary redundancy I left it in God’s hands. Three months later I was made redundant on a Thursday and on the following Sunday, St John’s announced a partnership with World Vision which just goes to show that God has a plan for us all.
I got married here at St John’s in 1989 to Sue and we have two boys – Ben age 27 who is a mechanical engineer and Shaun age 25 who works for a bank. I like surfing, skiing and playing golf.