Who We Are
We are seeking to be a Christ-centred community,
WHAT MATTERS TO US AS A CHURCH
Our Team
Darryl Soh
Lead Pastor
Darryl has been the lead pastor of Abbotsford Presbyterian since the start of 2019. Darryl grew up on the North Shore but has lived in the Inner West for the past 20 years. In a previous life, he was an IT auditor for a Big 4 Accounting firm for 7 years and was previously the associate minister at Drummoyne Presbyterian Church for 10 years prior to coming to Abbotsford. Darryl is married to Edwina and they have two daughters. Darryl is loving having his day job of sharing the great news of Jesus with people in a whole heap of different contexts. Darryl also enjoys hanging out with his family, playing basketball and tennis.
Matt Tan
Assistant Pastor
Matt is currently an Assistant Pastor at Abbotsford Presbyterian Church, whilst studying at Christ College. Previous to this, he was at a church in the Eastern Suburbs, where he grew up. In his past life, Matt was an External Auditor, working in the city. During this time he felt the internal tension between secular work (which is right and good) and full-time vocational work, which eventually led him to study at Christ College. In his spare time, he likes to play basketball, watch movies, play games and enjoy a good coffee with good company. He is married to Ika and they have a daughter.
Becky Padgett
Youth Pastor
Becky joined the team in 2023, new to the role of Youth Pastor. A public health worker and dietitian in a previous life, she loves walking alongside people and hearing their stories and has a passion for everyone to know their identity in Jesus. Becky studied Intercultural Studies in combination with a cross cultural internship in West Asia, working at a community centre for people who are refugees. In her downtime Becky enjoys singing in her choir or you might see her running the Bay Run.
Simon Pratt
Ministry Intern
Simon has joined Abbotsford Presbyterian in 2024, having arrived from the Perth to study at Sydney Missionary and Bible College. Simon is married to Lucy and they have four children. Simon and his wife are looking into the idea of church ministry post Bible college and are keen to learn more about how they can serve God with their lives. Prior to college, Simon worked as a Physiotherapist for 20 years in hospital and private practice settings, and in teaching at university. Simon enjoys undertaking adventures around Sydney and beyond with his family and sport, especially basketball and running.
Tom Lam
Ministry Intern
Tom is a Ministry Intern currently studying his 3rd year at Christ College. Previously, he was training at a Presbyterian Church in Lidcombe. After he graduates, Tom and his wife (Selina) hope to be sent out to serve and shepherd in a local church context. In his spare time, he enjoys drinking coffee and training Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu.
The Ministry Team
Peter Morphew
Elder and Session Clerk
Dean Stell
Elder
Murray Norman
Elder
Justin Sweeting
Music Ministry & Elder
Matt Tan
Kids Church & KCentral
Becky Padgett
YCentral
Karen Astles
Growth Groups
Tim Hatfield
Music Ministry
Rachel Norman
Mainly Music
APC Office
Meals Ministry
Frederik Theron
Treasurer & Committee of Management
Derek Bebbington
Committee of Management
Gillian McPherson
Committee of Management
David McClintock
Committee of Management
Seamus Theron
Bookkeeper
Sandra
Part-Time Office Administrator
Our Story
The First Gathering…
Of Presbyterians in Abbotsford was at the historic Abbotsford House in 1891. Subsequently, the church gathered in Renwick Hall which now stands behind the church, and the current church building was opened in 1929. We have had a long presence on the peninsula. If you join us one Sunday you will find a warm, welcoming, supportive, cross-generational community endeavouring to love and honour God by the way we live.
Our Core Values
1. BIBLE
We are committed to biblical Christ-centred teaching and to be a people shaped by HIs Word and His grace found in the gospel.
2. PRAYER
We are committed to being a people dependent on God through prayer in all aspects of our lives.
3. COMMUNITY
We are committed to being an inclusive, caring, loving and cross generational Christ-centred community, as we live integrated lives, in deep relationship with one another.
4. GROWTH
We are committed to reorienting our lives around Jesus, partnering with Him to continue to grow and be transformed to be more like Him.
5. REACH
We are committed to seeing God’s kingdom grow here in Abbotsford and beyond where more people come into a living relationship with Jesus.