Maybe you didn’t know that Warragul Presbyterian Church has two pastors. Ray Patchett and Steve Messer share their pastoral duties. Let’s learn more about this church.
Warragul Presbyterian Church is a vibrant part of the Gippsland Presbytery. It holds services every Sunday morning at 9.30 AM. The services take place at St Luke’s in Ellinbank. This is on the corner of Hazeldean and Warragul-Korumburra Roads.
Ray Patchett loves teaching the Bible. He also teaches others how to understand God’s Word. Besides being a pastor, Ray is a licensed plumber. He is married to Pip. They have five children. Ray grew up on a farm in Gippsland. He heard the Bible taught at a youth group. This led to his conversion. He felt the burden of sin.
Ray trained as an engineer. He worked in irrigation. He then spent a year on water projects for refugees in northern Kenya. This showed him he needed more theological training. He and his wife sought theological training. They were drawn to Presbyterian ministry. This was because of its emphasis on expository preaching. Various issues prevented their return to East Africa. They ministered in a Baptist Church in East Gippsland for ten years. Later, his family moved to Ethiopia. After that, they returned to Warragul. He became involved in the Warragul Presbyterian Church. Eventually, he completed the requirements for ordination.
Steve Messer also pastors at Maffra Community Church. He is a Bible teacher. He loves seeing people come to faith in Jesus. Steve plays in a band called Steve Messer’s Stranger Country. He is married to Jenny. They have four children and four grandchildren. Steve grew up in a Christian home. Hospitality was normal. Church attendance and Bible reading were regular.
In early 1968, Steve attended a Scripture Union beach mission meeting. He realized he needed to receive Christ himself. Since then, his understanding of the Christian life has grown. He studied the historicity of Christ’s resurrection. He also studied the evidence for the Bible as God’s Word. After years of teaching the Bible, he sought formal training. He earned a Master of Divinity degree. He trusts that teaching God’s word will be his occupation. This will continue as long as God permits.
The Warragul Presbyterian Church is part of a larger story. In 1977, the Congregational, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches united. They formed the Uniting Church in Australia. Before that, Presbyterians in Warragul worshipped in various locations. These included the Athenaeum building and the Masonic Hall. The congregation moved to a new Worship and Mission Centre in 2006.
The Warragul Presbyterian Church continues to serve its community. It focuses on faith, teaching, and ministry. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith. It is a welcoming place for all.