Pastor Steve and Sandy Ruyters

Steve was born in Brisbane and grew up in Mount Isa and Brisbane. For 20 years he worked as a Wardsman in various public hospitals in Southeast Queensland. In 2017 he commenced Seminary studies and completed a Master of Divinity in 2020 through the Brisbane School of Theology in Toowong.

After completing the Master of Divinity, he then completed a Master of Theological Studies in 2021 through Brisbane School of Theology. Prior to this in 2006 Steve also completed a Bachelor of Science through the University of Southern Queensland. Steve has done Prison Ministry through Kairos Prison Ministry Australia in prisons in the Brisbane area. He and Sandy have also done short term missions to Taiwan in 2018 with OMF.

Sandy was born and raised in Brisbane and works locally in Gatton. In 2021 Sandy completed a Diploma of Theology through the Brisbane School of Theology. Steve and Sandy married in 2007 and both have a passion for serving the Lord and ministering to others.

Pastor Barry and Elke Benz

Born in Adelaide, Barry made his decision to follow Christ in the Mile End Church of Christ. Encouraged by His church elders and lifelong friend Alan Leane, at almost 21 years of age, Barry entered Woolwich Bible College in Sydney in 1959.

During his second year of student ministry at the Austral Church of Christ in Western Sydney, he met his future wife Elke. And Graduated from Woolwich in 1962.After a car accident and prolonged time in hospital and rehabilitation Barry and Elke married in April 1964.

Since then they have enjoyed ministries both city and country, across three states, NSW, SA and QLD, including 10 years in Elke’s home church in austral and 12 years in Barry’s home church in Mile end in Adelaide. At present they are in their fourteenth year serving in the Gatton Church of Christ, and enjoying living in beautiful Toowoomba.