north east regional extra | March 30 - April 5, 2022
nemedia.com.au
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March 30 - April 5, 2022
Pastors bring wealth of experience By GRAHAM CLEMENTS IF you are worried about Wangaratta’s new Salvation Army pastors being all fire and brimstone, maybe you should, as Peter Lewis recently took up blacksmithing. “I joined the Australian Blacksmith association during COVID to learn how to blacksmith and to play with fire,” he said. With his deep voice, Peter gives off a vibe of being in command, and of someone who is committed to the cause and gets things done. While wife and fellow pastor Rhonda’s gentle laughter suggests she really enjoys their work and life. Both grew up in Melbourne and they met at Christian Fellowship at Melbourne University while studying to become teachers. Peter’s parents were Salvo’s and his grandparents where Salvation Army pastors. “Initially, I attended the church with my family, but then I made my own decision to be a Christian and the Salvation Army church was in my culture,” Peter said. Rhonda meanwhile married into the church. “I had made the decision to follow Jesus in the Anglican Church, but when we married, we decided we would worship together in the Salvation Army,” Rhonda said. They married 41 years ago and have two adult children, Rachael and Matthew. They appear to be at ease with each other and the Salvation Army, and frequently finish off each other sentences. “The Salvation Army does a lot of things, it is very practical, as well as worship it has a focus on community,” Rhonda said. “There is a focus on those in need and those who are disadvantaged,” Peter added. “It’s faith in action,” Rhonda finished. Their commitment to the church has taken them overseas to Zambia and Papua New Guinea.
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◆ READY TO SERVE: New Wangaratta Salvation Army pastors Peter and Rhonda Lewis. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
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YOUR GARDEN EN
ANIMAL CARE
WINE TALK
TECH & SCIENCE
GONE FISHING
with HELEN
with PUZZLE
with ANITA
with CHRIS
with ith ROB OB
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