Leading evangelist appointed CEO of Anglican Youthworks

The Rev Al Stewart, a well known evangelistic speaker and assistant minister at St Matthias’, Centennial Park, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Anglican Youthworks.

Anglican Youthworks has an annual budget of $7.4 million and has four main activities – publishing, camping and conferencing, church resourcing, financial services and advocacy through the Anglican Education Commission.

Youthworks is a major Christian publisher, particularly in preparing Sunday School and Scripture curriculum. It established and runs the Anglican Youthworks Training College for Children’s and Youth Ministry at Loftus. It operates a range of camping ministries for young people, including the Challenge Program for young people at risk. The Anglican Education Commission provides advocacy to government on educational matters and representation on the various bodies supporting religious education in schools.

Mr Stewart has an undergraduate degree in commerce and marketing, but it is his work overseeing youth leadership training through Katoomba Christian Conventions that particularly impressed the Council of Youthworks.

“The work Al has done organising the interdenominational Katoomba Christian Conventions has given him outstanding experience in the training of young people for ministry. This is an area that we would like to see Youthworks develop,” said Bishop Glenn Davies, chairman of Anglican Youthworks. “He also has experience in Christian publishing - Youthworks’ other major ministry arm - as a board member of Matthias Media.”

“Most significantly, however, Mr Stewart is keen to see Youthworks become an organisation that promotes the evangelising of young people. This is a direction that is wholeheartedly endorsed by the Council,” Bishop Davies said.

Mr Stewart plans to continue his commitments as an evangelist and will be a major speaker in August at the City Youth Convention at Homebush. He will also continue his regular lunch time speaking engagements with the City Bible Forum.

“I would like to see Youthworks setting the agenda in terms of youth evangelism,” Mr Stewart said.

Bishop Davies said a key factor in the appointment of Mr Stewart has been the parallel appointment of Dr Grant Maple, long time director of the Anglican Education Commission, as Deputy CEO. Dr Maple has been Acting CEO of Youthworks for the past six months.

“Grant Maple has served us well as acting CEO,” said Bishop Davies. “The extensive educational experience of Dr Maple, coupled with the enthusiasm and parish based ministry experience of Mr Stewart, will give Youthworks new impetus.”

Mr Stewart is enthusiastically looking forward to taking up his new role.

“I have a great love for youth work. But it will be a big change from what I’ve been doing in parish ministry. It will be a steep learning curve and I plan to spend the next few months learning from Grant and the other staff.”

Mr Stewart is married to Kathy and they have four children: Amy, 18, Beth, 16, Gareth, 13, and Josephine 10.

CONTACT:
Jeremy Halcrow
02 9265 1518 (W)
0412 793 441 (M)