A former missionary has been chosen to head the Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid following the retirement of founding CEO The Rev David Mansfield.

The Rev Tim Swan will lead the organisation from April 2020.

Mr Swan brings strong mission, biblical, and cross-cultural credentials having served as a CMS missionary at the Centre for Pastoral Studies (CEP), in Santiago, Chile for 10 years, and on his return to Australia, led a church plant in Sydney's North.

Anglican Aid supports activities in 34 countries serving needy communities, empowering women, advocating for disability inclusion and children’s rights, and training community and church leaders.

Through long-term local partnerships, Anglican Aid provides relief and aid, emergency assistance, development, education, health, income generation, water/sanitation/hygiene, and Bible training.

Mr Swan has lived day-to-day with the complex relationships between aid, development, and church work.

“I have seen first-hand that development work is weak if not paired with the gospel,” said Mr Swan. “I am therefore keen to bolster Anglican Aid’s support for training Christian leaders in developing nations, that churches might become beacons of hope amidst communities in despair."

“Under God, we can all work together to see churches thrive on every continent in faithfully proclaiming the gospel, and to see Christians working for the good of their communities, bringing transformation that lasts. I’m really looking forward to leading Anglican Aid in helping churches partner with like-minded Christians around the world. I thank God for the amazing work he is doing."

“Bishops in many countries are at present asking for assistance in the theological training of clergy and laity,” said the Chairman of Anglican Aid, Bishop Peter Tasker. “With Tim’s experience and commitment to theological training in Chile, his leadership especially in this area will be vital.” 

Archbishop Glenn Davies says he is delighted by the appointment. “The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid shows the love of Christ for all people. I am so pleased that Tim will lead this vital work around the world, as his gifts, experience and passion are well suited to this position. We pray that God will bless him in this new venture and that his work will bear much fruit and redound to the glory of God.”

Tim Swan is currently the Senior Minister at Willoughby Park Anglican Church on Sydney’s lower North Shore. He and his wife Sally have five children. Tim holds a Bachelor of Theology from Moore College, Sydney. and Sally Swan is one of the contributors to For the Joy: 21 Australian Missionary Mother Stories on Cross-Cultural Parenting and Life, compiled by Miriam Chan and Sophia Russell, and published by Anglican Aid.