After eight years as a mission educator on the staff of CMS NSW, the Rev Andrew Dircks left Sydney in July with his wife Suzanne for a locum ministry with CMS at Christ Church, Bangkok.
“Suzanne and I were willing to consider anywhere, but this was a needs-based decision. The outgoing Vicar, the Rev Stephen Gabbott called to ask if we were willing to do this,” said Andrew, who has also been invited to apply for the position of vicar long-term.

Last year Andrew and Suzanne spent three months long service leave in Cairo. “I was delighted to be back in full-time pastoral ministry and systematic Bible teaching,” Andrew said. “Suzanne enjoyed working with refugees and ex-pat women.”

After years of promoting world mission to Australian Christians, Andrew is thrilled to take up this pastoral ministry in Thailand. “The needs and the opportunities are so great,” he said.

The ministry of Christ Church, established in 1861, is primarily to three English-speaking congregations, but also includes Thai and Karen congregations. It has substantial outreach, including ministry dating back to 1982, to displaced Karen people on the Thai/Burmese border.

Suzanne is also looking forward to working within the church and reaching out to people in Bangkok. “The church runs an orphanage, HIV/AIDS work, prison visiting, employment and rehab services,” she said.

Bangkok is not the only place that will see the gospel go forth as a result of the Dircks’ move. In December, Stephen and Marion Gabbott will begin a ministry with the Bush Church Aid Society at Cable Beach Anglican Church, Broome.

They are replacing the Rev David and Cheryl O’Mara, who will take up ministry as CMS missionaries at All Saints’, Jakarta, this month.