Aidan has been the Lead Pastor Hughes Baptist since January 2023. Previously he served as the pastor of Mudgee Baptist for 8 years. Aidan oversees the spiritual growth and organisation of the church as part of a team of elders, and is responsible for equipping church members for lives of service to God. He also serves as an adjunct lecturer at Morling College (the Baptist Bible College in Sydney) and is completing a PhD on joy in the Gospel of Luke. Aidan is especially committed to helping people to see and savour Jesus as their greatest treasure and be mirrors of his love. He is married to Vanessa, and they have a daughter (Emily) and two teenage sons (David and Michael).

Asking Jesus into my heart as a child has illustrated to me that making a decision to follow God is not one just left to adults. Coming to Jesus early and with the intention of loving Him for a lifetime is something that I desire for children. We’ve only got so many earthly years to love and enjoy Him here, why waste any time?

Being able to serve God is such a humbling privilege and where I find my faith and love for Him grows. God gave me the incredible opportunity to join Him in His work as a School Chaplain here in the ACT for 6 years and previously working in the mental health sector. In a voluntary capacity, kids mentoring programs, leading and directing on camps, assisting on all-ability holiday programs, coordinating a playgroup and raising my own children, have been the mission fields God has enabled me to participate in.

I have been gifted with a beautiful husband, Liam, and two heart capturing kidlets, who constantly remind me of God’s affection for His children! I get such a kick out of seeing little ones encountering Jesus as their best friend, choosing to grow in Him, authentically sharing Him with others and enthusiastically serving Him.