ministry Team
Sharon Beresford
Chair of the Elders
Sharon is a long-standing member of our Church. Over the years she has been involved in a number of church activities and ministries, leading our young people, teaching Sunday school, leading Bible studies, worship leading, and being active in many of the day-to-day activities that are part of Church life. Sharon is Chair of the Elders and has been part of the Eldership of the Church since 2003.
Sharon and Martin have three adult children and two adorable grandbabies. Sharon works in private practice as a counsellor and family therapist. She has also worked as a Chaplain in a north Canberra school since 2011.
Sharon has a desire to see people set free and living their lives for the glory of God.
Peter Harper
Elder and Minister
Peter joined Mark in the ministry team at the beginning of 2023, after a short hiatus of being the senior minister at the Church for over 16 years. Peter has a Bachelor of Theology from the Australian College of Ministries (ACOM) as well as an IT degree from his former career. Peter is passionate about God-honouring and God-centred worship, and is often seen out the front leading with his guitar. Peter is married to Jenny and they have two children.
Mark Willis
Elder and Minister
Mark has been attending the Church since 2011 and was appointed Minister in Feb 2023, sharing the role with Peter Harper. Mark has ministered in four different congregations; he was an Army Reserve Chaplain (1991-96), and full-time as an Air Force Chaplain for 26 years (1996-2022). He and Lisa have three adult children and five beautiful grandchildren. Mark works out of the office on Mondays and Fridays, and is often available at other times for pastoral needs.
Mark desires that all might know, love, and share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Les Davies
Administrator
Les has been an active member of the Church since 1983, during which time he served as a Deacon. Back when the separate congregations of Churches of Christ in Canberra operated as a jointly-managed conference, Les served a term as Conference President and was our representative on the Conference’s Board of Management. He brings this experience and his many years of experience in the Australian Public Service to the role of Administrator and Public Officer at our Church. Les currently represents ACT Churches of Christ on the Council of ANU’s Burgmann College, a college established in 1971 by several Protestant Churches in the ACT.
Jenny Harper
FoodBank Coordinator
Jenny has been attending Lyons Church all her life. She is married to Peter and they have two adult children as well as a few chooks and a guinea pig. Jenny and Peter have been performing various roles in the Food Corner team since it opened in October 2015. They love serving the community through this ministry and aim to meet practical needs while pointing people to Jesus.
David
Student Minister
David began working at the Church as the Administration Assistant in April 2023 and became a member of the congregation shortly thereafter. He has a heart for the lost sheep, and after completing a Diploma of Ministry and Biblical Studies, spent 4 years leading Evangelism and Discipleship programs. He has also served in the community support ministry, aiding leaders in arranging food parcels, counselling, financial support through microeconomic loans, and weekly meals for the disadvantaged. David has led Bible studies and prayer groups, and runs the Men’s Ministry. He is currently in the final semester of a Bachelor of Theology and is being prepared for further ministry positions by our current Ministers, Mark & Peter.