The CEO of Sydney's Youthworks department has said "yes' to the second-greatest marriage of his life, accepting the position of chairman at Katoomba Christian Convention (KCC).
"[My wife] Cathy and KCC have been the two greatest loves of my life - both now for more than 20 years. And I’ll be doing my best to keep them both happy as I take up the position," the Rev Alan Stewart says.
Mr Stewart says he is humbled by the appointment which is the result of a long-term courtship.
After countless discussions he describes the invitation as feeling more like a marriage proposal than winning the lottery.
"I was very happy to be proposed to and happy to say yes," he laughs.
The Youthworks board, chaired by Bishop Glenn Davies, is unanimous in its support for Mr Stewart taking up the position with KCC, despite the inevitable increase in workload.
Members have described it as "one of the most strategic things' Mr Stewart could become involved in.
Mr Stewart acknowledges the additional pressures the KCC position will bring, but says that he and his wife feel the timing is right.
"Cathy says, "You’ll always be madly busy' - she probably thinks I can’t do much more than I’m doing now," he says.
"But we're on the verge of being child free, so I’m hoping that now she'll be able to come to Katoomba more with me."
The new KCC chairman will need all of the support he can get with the conference power-house facing key challenges over the coming years.
KCC is seeking to secure its future in Katoomba with the planned purchase of a parcel of land known as the Clairvaux Property adjacent to its current site.
"KCC has acquired the property subject to the approval of a partial sub division on a part of the property being approved by Blue Mountains Council. All being well, the sale should be concluded by the end of the year," Mr Stewart says.
He believes making the most of the site for the Gospel will be a clear priority for KCC's board.
But he isn't daunted by the development of acres of "prime real estate'.
"God surrounds me with clever people," he says, smiling. "It's a matter of finding them and putting the hand on the shoulder."
Mr Stewart says other challenges include keeping the 102-year-old organisation travelling steadily towards its primary goal.
"We're a bit like Better Brakes - they just fix breaks. We just teach the Bible; that’s what we do. There’s a great clarity of goals in the organisation."
Mr Stewart has risen through the Anglican ranks to the helm of Youthworks, but he will be doffing the jersey when he attends meetings.
"The other challenge is to stay interdenominational, to appeal to all of evangelical Australia. That’s very important," he says.
Mr Stewart will take over as chairman from the Rev David Cook, the principal of Sydney Missionary Bible College, who has directed the ministry for 13 years.
Full details of the appointment can be found in Around the Web.
