Who We Are
Meet our ministry teams
Ben Johnson
Senior Pastor
Ben came to Pastor WPC in January 2008 and his wife Louise is a secondary school teacher.
Now empty nesting with their three children in three different states, Ben and Louise look after a Red and Blue Heeler at home (Maggie and Indi). They enjoy being active outdoors and being inside with books or film media.
More than anything else, they love to see people come to know Jesus and enjoy the blessing of living in community with others as disciples of Jesus.
Shady Mehanni
Associate Pastor
Shady was born in Egypt and moved to Australia when he was in primary school.
Later in life he asked his girlfriend to Macca’s for their first date and Josie said yes, and later yes to being his wife!!! He grew up in the city but loves the country life and good coffee.
He loves the fact that one of the most freeing, stable things about being a Christian, is to know that your identity is not in your performance, not in what others think of you, but in what God freely gives you in Jesus.
Shady loves to share that great news with others.
Casey Gellert
Women’s Pastoral Worker
Casey grew up traveling the globe – living on four continents before the age of 20! After becoming an adult, the lure of cross-cultural experience came calling again, and it was while teaching in Japan that she met her husband, Pete, at an English speaking church in Nagoya. Their adventure brought them to Melbourne and then to Pete’s hometown of Warrnambool in 2022 with their four children.
She enjoys painting, anything crafty, relaxing to a good book, a good block of chocolate, a good cuppa (both tea AND coffee!), travelling, and taking in the sea air at our beautiful beaches.
One of the many things that brings much joy and comfort to Casey is the family of Christ across the globe. No matter where she has gone, the Lord has brought fellow believers around her to bring hope and encouragement. She is looking forward to sharing this same hope and encouragement with the family of believers at WPC.
Meet Our Elders
Back Row: Pete Hunter, Jonathan Town, Ben Johnson, Shady Mehanni
Front Row: David Hayward, Fraser Diack, Nick Attrill, Lindsay Ferguson, Damien Craig, Robert Prout
Meet Our Deacons
Marie Van Ravesteyn, Robyn Sharpe, Sara Philip, Emily Hunter
Board of Management
Back Row: Rowan Campbell, Marcia van Niekerk, Meg Craig, Ben Johnson
Front Row: Renee Wedale, Nick Attrill
What we value
