National & regional staff

Narelle Bignill - Postgraduate Co-ordinator

Narelle Bignill has been with ACOM since 1983, and is also the Australian Coordinator for the Fuller Doctor of Ministry program. Narelle focuses on the pursuit of prayer and intimacy with God and how these translate into relationships and everyday life. 

Daniel Bingham - Administrative Assistant

Daniel Bingham (BCom) has operated his own IT business for 10 years, and is also part of the ministry team at Springwood Church of Christ. Daniel believes in using IT to leverage administration and ministry, and is passionate about speaking God's word and bagpiping.

Stuart Devenish - Director of Teaching & Learning

Stuart Devenish (BTh, MA, PhD) has been a missionary, pastor, director, teacher and scholar with over 30 years of ministry experience. Stuart is passionate about Christian discipleship and the renewal of the Australian church.

Martin Dowson - Director of Academic Development

Professor Martin Dowson (DipTeach, BA, MA, PhD, BTh) is an ACOM graduate and an internationally recognised academic specialising in psychology, education and statistical modelling.

Randy Edwards - Vice Principal

Randy Edwards (BA, MDiv, M.A.R.) has been teaching Old and New Testament for over 30 years. Randy's passion is to help students apply the Word of God to their lives and the lives of others in ways that are relevant to daily life in 21st Century Australia.

Gaynor Elder - Voc Ed / LocalNet National Administrator

Gaynor Elder is responsible for the administrative duties concerning LocalNet. She is passionate about Christians knowing who they are in Christ and being equipped to be representatives of God. Gaynor also co-ordinates the publication of ACOM's prayer newsletter.

Stephen Hinks - Principal

Stephen Hinks (BA, Dip Ed, BD (Hons), Dip Th, ThL, Dip.RE) has training and experience in education and the pastorate. More recently he was director of a network of large-church senior pastors for peer-learning. He is married to Anne with two married daughters and a son still at home, all of whom are involved in planting a church in the northwest of Sydney. His passion is training and developing leaders in Christian mission.

Sascha Lochel - Assistant Registrar

Sascha Lochel works from ACOM's Springwood office in QLD and her primary role is to assist the ACOM Registrar (Stephen Parker). Sascha's personal interests are in the areas of health and healing including natural therapies and organics.

Zsa-Zsa Monardo - Executive Assistant

Zsa-Zsa Monardo provides administrative support to the Principal, the Director of Academic Development and assists the Postgraduate National Administrator with the Masters Program. Zsa-Zsa also co-ordinates student facilitations, staff retreats and travel itineraries for ACOM's staff.

Merise Newland - Undergraduate National Administrator

Merise Newland works from ACOM's QLD office and serves as Undergraduate National Administrator. Merise is dedicated to assisting students with their enquiries and course requirements.

Stephen Parker - Registrar

Stephen Parker (B. Econ, BTh, MA) is an ACOM graduate and currently also works for Youth Vision Queensland, having previously been an Associate Youth Minister for 9 years. Stephen is passionate about helping people achieve their potential in Christian leadership. 

Jason Potter - Director of Vocational Education

Jason Potter (BTh, DipMin, MA (Cand.)) is responsible for leading and implementing ACOM's Vocational Education Strategy. Jason's heart is to help people experience life transformation as they discover who God is and how he is shaping their life.

John Rietveld - LocalNet Curriculum Co-ordinator

John Rietveld (BA, BD, MTh, PhD) serves and supports Local Training Institutes in Victoria, as well as being the national curriculum co-ordinator for LocalNet. John has served as pastor, church-planter, and in leadership development, coaching and training across Australia. As a director of a local LTI, John is committed to developing a new generation of missional leaders.

Bruce Sparey - Finance Manager

Bruce Sparey is responsible for the accounting and financial integrity of the College. Originally from New Zealand, Bruce has a strong heart for serving refugee migrants.

Sue Whiteley - Director of Formation

Sue Whiteley (MA) oversees the Personal Formation component of ACOM's training. She has many years experience as a spiritual director, mentor and retreat facilitator. Sue's passion is to nurture and develop the 'heart' of Christian leaders ensuring a strong foundation for sustainable ministry.

Christine Cochrane - Administrative Assistant

Christine Cochrane has worked for ACOM for seven years. Christine loves relating with students, and is an active member of her local church.

John Crowther - Regional Director

John Crowther (Dip Teach & Recreation, Dip Ministry, BTh, MA (Theology)) is passionate about identifying and training Mission orientated leaders to build healthy Kingdom outposts around NSW and beyond. John also works as the Director for Missional Leadership for Churches of Christ NSW.

Fiona Sutton - Regional Administrator

Fiona Sutton serves as an administrator in the ACOM team and is currently undertaking further training in graphic design. Fiona has a passion for helping people and enjoys interacting with ACOM's NSW students.

Val Lochel - Regional Administrator

Val Lochel is the QLD Regional Administrator and also assists the Undergraduate National Administrator with the processing of student assignments and enquiries. For approximately 20 years Val has been involved in various forms of hospitality, encouragement & mission with the Solomon Islands.

Matt Miller - North QLD Sub-regional Co-ordinator

Matt Miller (BTh) is based in Cairns and helps to co-ordinate ACOM's operations in North Queensland. Matt also looks after the ACOM website and will completed his Bachelor of Theology through ACOM in 2007.

Stephen Parker - Regional Director

Stephen Parker is the ACOM's QLD Regional Director as well as serving as ACOM's Registrar. See Stephen's full profile in the National Staff section.

Sandy Hart - Regional Director

Sandy Hart (BTh, Bed, MDiv, MEd) serves as associate minister at Door of Hope Christian Church for prayer and training (her two passions) and is currently training as a Spiritual Director.

Dani Misdom - Regional Administrator

Dani Misdom is the Technical and Creative Arts Director at Door of Hope Christian Church and is currently studying a Bachelor of Theology with ACOM. He grew up in Spain for 14 years and is keen to see ordinary people reach their full potential by being well equipped for their calling in their local church or business world.

Neale Meredith - Regional Director

Neale Meredith (BTh, MA) is a graduate of ACOM, with 15 years experience in local church ministry across Australia. Neale loves spending time with people, encouraging them to follow Jesus fully and to discover their full potential in ministry.

John Rietveld - LocalNet Co-ordinator

John Rietveld is the LocalNet Co-ordinator for Victoria as well as LocalNet's Curriculum Co-ordinator. See John's full profile in the National Staff section.

Nicole Starchenko - Regional Administrator

Nicole Starchenko (Graduate Diploma in Business Systems) is a professional IT consultant. Nicole is committed to supporting ACOM's missional directions with highly efficient and effective business and management systems.

Mark O'Brien - Regional Director

Mark O'Brien (B.App.Sc., Th.M., D.Min (cand.)) is the Senior Pastor of Warnbro Community Church of Christ, a growing and vibrant church in the southern metropolitan region of Perth. Mark's desire is to assist churches to effectively impact their communities.

Julia Cooper - Regional Administrator

Julia Cooper works as the Office Manager at the Warnbro Community Church of Christ, as well as her duties as WA's Regional Administrator. She has been an active member of her church for many years, serving alongside her husband in leadership. Julia has two adult children and loves the "people" aspect of her work with ACOM.