The people’s pastor

Brenton Stacey

About the Author

Brenton Stacey

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Brenton is Avondale University’s Public Relations and Philanthropy Officer. He brings to the role experience as a communicator in publishing, media relations, public relations, radio and television, mostly within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific and its entities.

This master of teaching and ministry humbly helps others

It may have been providential. Owen Ellis (BEd, 1992) had just finished high school in Pukekohe but did not have a fixed plan for what to do next. While on holidays, he met Avondale lecturer Owen Hughes and Sydney Adventist High School teacher Adrian “Bro” Ellison who were part of a geoscience tour in New Zealand. “By the end of the day, I had decided to go to Avondale the following month and train to be a teacher.” This moment would define the beginning of Owen’s adult life. He valued the friendship of fellow students and those with whom he worked on the grounds (especially Mel Hodgson and Tony Voight), the spiritual encouragement from lecturers (Kevin de Berg and Allan Lindsay), and the opportunities to serve, including for a year at Betikama Adventist College in the Solomon Islands.

After graduating, Owen taught at Auckland Seventh-day Adventist High School before taking leave to complete a master’s in educational administration and leadership. That led to new roles as assistant principal at the school then education director for the church in the New Zealand Pacific. Enrolling in a Master of Divinity at Andrews University would define the beginning of another life: as a minister of the gospel. Owen has pastored the Adventist churches in Bowral and Goulburn for the past eight years. He married wife Deby in 2016. The couple have a five-year-old daughter, Abigail.

“In every significant step of my life—choosing Avondale, completing two postgraduate degrees when never intending to do any further study, changing vocation and finding a life partner—God has led me, gently and often unexpectedly,” says Owen. “I’ve been blessed to work alongside school teachers and principals, denominational leaders, pastors and local church members who have enriched my life.”

Journeying with students and young teachers as they learn, grow then go has been satisfying, says Owen. As has journeying with those seeking a commitment to Christ. “Leading individuals and families through the waters of baptism and seeing young adults in church grow to become leaders is a privilege.”

The Class of 1992 honours Owen Ellis for learning and growing himself while humbly helping others do the same.