About Susy
Susy’s eclectic career began with Honours in Computer Science, but after encountering the Way of Christ as a young adult, she enrolled at Bible College to contribute meaningfully to the Kingdom. Her career has focused on International Aid and Development and the development of children and families. Years of passion for school Scripture led her into a role at the Baptist Association as NSW and ACT Consultant for Children, Family and Schools Ministries. Here she sought to equip churches, effecting movement from an emphasis on children’s ministry to discipling families.
A Masters degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney let Susy explore the impacts of factors like parenting and wealth inequity on social cohesion. This led Susy into the role of NSW State Coordinator with aid and development organisation TEAR Australia, where she developed her interest in how we can raise kids who care, and how we can find contentment and sustainability by deciding we have ‘enough’.
Susy has taught Christian Education subjects at Morling Theological College, and at Australian Catholic University she lectured on human flourishing, the Common Good and advocacy. As the Advocacy Coordinator for Baptist World Aid Australia, Susy inspired, equipped and mobilised churches around the country to be active in advocacy campaigns together, speaking up to political, economic and social powers on behalf of the poor and vulnerable.
Fellowship project: ‘Raising kids who care: Investing in families for the Kingdom of God’
Our current culture encourages gross consumerism which strains relationships, finances and even our mental health. On a large scale, this affects our Christian response to ending poverty and oppression: as our society becomes more wealthy, it is becoming less generous, less compassionate, less content and more entitled.
Children have a strong sense of justice and generosity, and giving them opportunities to respond to injustice around them is a powerful way to develop their spiritual life, and to defend them from society’s excesses. Many parents have a deep desire to help their children negotiate their culture and develop their compassion and generosity, but they often feel ill-equipped to do so.
One output of this Summer Fellowship will be a honed presentation to help churches catch Susy’s vision for family events. This will involve updating research and repurposing some of Susy’s previous presentations. The main output will be a formal publishing proposal for a resource pack that will enable churches to run a series of family events.