Our Leaders - Wollongong Baptist Church

Rod Bayley

Senior Pastor

Rod is married to Christine and they have three children. He studied at Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC) and Morling College, and has been at Wollongong Baptist Church since 2007. As Senior Pastor, Rod’s role is to teach the bible and pastorally care for WBC’s morning congregation, and to provide leadership to the church and its eldership team. He likes playing tennis, cricket and soccer, and enjoys following the Sea Eagles in the NRL. However, he is more passionate about Christ-centred preaching and gospel-centred ministry, and the raising up of other gospel workers who share that passion.

Learn more about Rod in our “Meet the Leaders” blog series.

Paul Chan

Chinese Pastor

Paul studied at Hong Kong Baptist Seminary and graduated with a Master in Divinity in 1985. He has been a Chinese church minister for about 25 years. Paul is challenging the Chinese congregation to follow Jesus Christ in a fellowship marked by love and respect for each other. He wants them to nurture and strengthen their Christian faith through prayer, bible study and worship, and to serve the community. Paul’s wife, Cheryl, works in the health sector and her interest is in design. Paul is very grateful for her wisdom and support of his ministry, and that she demonstrates kindness and support for all people.

Learn more about Paul in our “Meet the Leaders” blog series.

Mark Roberts

Associate Pastor

Mark is the Associate Pastor for training, small groups and evangelism at Wollongong Baptist Church. He is married to Katherine and together they have two children. Mark studied at SMBC and Morling College before moving to Wollongong at the start of 2016. When he’s looking to relax, Mark loves a good exercise, a good coffee, or a good movie. Above all, Mark loves knowing that his sins have been washed away at the Cross, and he longs for others to know that freedom too.

Learn more about Mark in our “Meet the Leaders” blog series.

Chris Rothwell

Ministry Intern/ Evangelist

Chris grew up in the small country town of Robertson and moved to Wollongong to study. This year he has been finishing a Bachelor of Civil Engineering, as well as working part-time as a trainee Geotechnician, and a Ministry Intern/ Evangelist at WBC. Chris has a huge passion for sharing the gospel with people and seeing them saved, so having the privilege of working as a Ministry Intern has been such a blessing. God willing, he would like to go on from his internship to work full-time in ministry in the future.

Hannah Kuschel

Office & Communications Coordinator

Hannah grew up in the Southern Highlands in a loving family of six. In 2009 she moved to Wollongong for university where she met her husband Ed at a WBC Home Group. In 2017 Hannah joined the staff team to coordinate our office volunteers and our church communications.

Learn more about Hannah in our “Meet the Leaders” blog series.