Together for the
Illawarra
A collaboration of Christians across the Illawarra — inspired by relationships built among churches and Christian leaders over many years.
About Us
Together for the Illawarra is a collaboration of Christians in the Illawarra. It is inspired by and through a relationship built among churches and Christian leaders through many years and also the Illawarra Prayer Breakfast.
Together for the Illawarra is a consultation & collaborative process exploring areas of common interest, focusing on Community Engagement, Evangelism & Prayer.
Together for the Illawarra was formally formed in July 2020, almost one year after our first consultation workshop attended by 60 Christian leaders across the region.
Our Vision
Together for the Illawarra exists to facilitate the collaboration of churches and Christians in the Illawarra so that together we can be God's expression in our community and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ will be advanced in the Illawarra and beyond.
- Cultivate authentic relational unity among church leaders and Christian leaders in the Illawarra.
- Discover unique characteristics and strength of the Body of Christ in the Illawarra.
- See the Kingdom of God advancing in the Illawarra and for His church here to be glorious.
- Work towards a combined churches strategy to reach the Illawarra with the Gospel.
- Facilitate, support and promote combined churches prayer, evangelism and community engagement.
- Intentionally engage, encourage and develop younger Christian leaders.
- Resource, encourage relational networking, and provide ideas to foster the big picture of the Illawarra church.
- Our foundational dream is that more people will come to meet Jesus as their Saviour.
Our Values
Our values define who we are, what we do, and how we do things.
Christ-like
Let our conduct and life represent Christ.
Humility
Let us honor one another in the spirit of humility.
Relational Unity
We believe relational unity is the foundation of sustainable collaborative efforts.
Collaborative Engagement
To promote combined prayer, community engagement and evangelism to bless the people of the Illawarra.
Ministry Team
A diverse group representing different local churches and backgrounds across the Illawarra.
Hengki Widjaja
Co-ordinator
Hengki Widjaja lives in Illawarra, NSW since he came to Australia to complete his study at the University of Wollongong. He and his wife, Lidia, have been serving a local church, Life Centre Wollongong in the region. They both have the heart for unity and what the churches can do together for the betterment of their region. In addition to his day-to-day role in his tech company, he serves in a few Christian initiatives locally and nationally; Illawarra Prayer Breakfast, Movement Day Australia, Food for Life and Australian Heart Ministries.
Nathaniel Marsh
Media & Communications
Nathaniel Marsh has been married to his beautiful wife Jodi since 2004, and together they have 5 gorgeous girls. Nat is a video producer, cinematographer, musician, and along with his family, is actively involved at Awaken Church Wollongong. Operating Marsh Media trading as TVU Productions, a Film & TV Production Company with offices in Sydney & Wollongong, Nat has produced around 3,000 pieces of content & delivered over 1 million DVDs for a wide range of clients within the Government, Corporate & Not-for-profit sectors. Nat is also a Board Member of Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation and is passionate to see the Body of Christ collaborating across the Illawarra.
Warwick Marsh
Family & Faith Advocate
Warwick Marsh has been married to Alison Marsh since 1975 and they have five children and eight grandchildren. He is a family & faith advocate, social reformer, musician, TV producer, writer and public speaker. In 2002 Warwick & Alison Marsh established the Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation to encourage fathers and promote excellence in fathering through web, TV, radio, research and policy development. Warwick is passionate to encourage men to be great fathers and to know the greatest Father of all.
Wayne Morris
Chairman, Pulse 94.1 | Community Leader
Wayne Morris is a qualified accountant and company secretary who serves as Chairman of Pulse 94.1, the Illawarra's Christian radio station, and as Secretary of The Churches of Christ Property Trust. He also serves as Ministry Facilitator of the Illawarra Prayer Breakfast. A long-standing community leader in the Illawarra, Wayne is passionate about seeing the churches of the region work together for the good of the community.
Jude Hennessy
Director of Renewal & Evangelisation, Catholic Diocese of Wollongong
Jude Hennessy serves as the Director of the Office of Renewal and Evangelisation at the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong. A former teacher in Catholic secondary education, Jude has a deep passion for drawing people to faith and renewing the Church's mission in the Illawarra. He is actively involved in the Illawarra Prayer Breakfast and is committed to seeing Christians across denominations work together for the region.
Statement of Belief
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.