In light of both our pastors being away, in our Pastors’ Pen this week we get to meet Merhawi and his family…
First you might like to click here to read Stew’s Pastors’ Pen from early September. Now, let’s learn about Merhawi and his family…
Q: How many siblings do you have?
A: I have 4 sisters and 2 brothers and 1 brother who died in the war… so that makes 7!
Q: So Merhawi – hello! Now Merhawi isn’t a very common name. Where is it from?
A: Eritrea! You will probably have to Google that.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I was a goat herder! But in Australia my first job was a sandwich artist at Subway.
Q: How many places have you lived?
A: I was born in Eritrea and lived in a village in the countryside until I was 12. I then lived in Egypt for 2 years on my way to Australia. I lived in Brisbane for the first 5 years and high school (this qualifies me as a QLDer!), Sydney for Uni, Canberra for work and back to Sydney for Bible College!
Q: What did you study at Uni/do for work?
A: Aviation management! I wanted to be a pilot but HECS (government loan) wasn’t available so the next best option was management. I worked at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in Canberra.
Q: Have you always been a follower of Jesus?
A: No. It was actually during Uni my housemate invited me to church. I went along. To my surprise, he asked me again the following week. This time, I was thinking, ‘wait, what was so special about church last week?’ But I went along on and off for 3 months. I was at church in one of those times and the Pastor explained sin. The words of Jesus confronted me: there will come a time I’ll give an account to my Creator for how I lived. I was confronted with the love of Jesus for people like me. So I started reading Jesus’ words for the first time. And by the end of my first year at uni I started to trust in, and follow, Jesus.
Q: And where in this sequence did you meet your lovely wife?
A: We met in 2015 at a conference in Tamworth (you can ask Ami for the detailed version). We have been married for 7 years and have 2 boys Jesse (4) and Ezra (2).
Q: Did you feel nervous quitting your job to go to Bible College?
A: Yes – in fact it took me a while to get to that point.
Q: Why did you want to go into full time ministry?
A: I enjoyed serving at my church in different ways over the years while working. I’ve been keen to help God’s people apply the precious gospel to all of life as disciples of Jesus.
Q: What books have significantly shaped your walk with Jesus?
A: “Chosen by God” by RC Sproul; “Good and Angry” by David Powlison and “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hand” by Paul Tripp.
Q: What are some ways you like to relax?
A: Walking anywhere outdoors, reading a novel, running, basketball, watching Friday night footy (go the Broncos!)
Q: What would your wife say is your most annoying habit?
A: Going down too many rabbit holes when I’m telling a story such that I forget what I was talking about… this is what she says anyway.
Q: What has been one challenge about Bible College?
A: It’s been a stretching experience – reading, writing, thinking, analysing on top of normal life can be tiring.
Q: Is there something God has been teaching you over this time?
A: To hold my plans lightly and to be open to where he might direct each day. Being okay with not being as productive as I’d like but surrendering to His provision and care when I don’t meet my own expectations.
Q: What are you looking forward to in 2025?
A: Not studying! And getting to know you guys at SCPC and serving alongside you. I’m also looking forward to life in Lismore and making it our home.
We are excited for you to meet Merhawi, Ami, Jesse and Ezra too and we look forward to seeing them toward the end of November.
