Meet Our Staff

Baden Stace

Senior Minister
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Baden

Baden has served in leadership in the Sydney Diocese in a range of roles, including as a parish Rector, associate minister and itinerant evangelist. Before training for Christian ministry he worked in corporate marketing in the IT industry.

He considers the good news of Jesus Christ, his life, death and resurrection to be life changing and sees it as a great privilege to spend his life sharing this good news with others and encouraging Christians to live their lives in light of it. In his spare moments he loves spending time with his wife Karin and children Caleb, Huntley and Abby. He has also been known to enjoy a round of golf and is putting the final touches on a PhD in church history.

Baden oversees the work of St Stephen’s Normanhurst and loves being part of such an amazing and vibrant church community with a fantastic, godly and gifted staff team.

Brian Rennie

Assistant Minister - Young Adults
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Brian

Brian joined the team in 2023. Having grown up in a Christian family, Brian had the great privilege of hearing God’s word from a young age. He is thankful to God for the Bible and particularly the book of Galatians which helped him to understand the greatest news of all, “Jesus died for me.”

Brian worked as a registered nurse and café barista before completing his training Moore Theological College. In 2020 he married Grace, it was a small covid-style wedding. Brian enjoys making coffee, playing around with photography, and learning to play keyboard.

Josh Vallentine

Kids & Families Minister
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Josh

Josh has always known the Lord Jesus Christ. Having always been a part of a church community surrounded by supporting parents and leaders, God grew a love of Jesus in his heart from an early age. He often loves exploring the small specific details of God’s character revealed in his Word and how that challenges him to live a life worthy of the calling of the gospel.

Josh is responsible for the kids and families ministries at St Stephen’s. He has always been involved with kids ministry; either as a leader or a participant and has had a broad range of experience both in suburban churches and the inner west setting. His passion is to see kids know Jesus in their hearts and for them to follow him daily.

Josh is married to Bethaney and they have two daughters, Annabelle and Mackenzie. He enjoys playing games in all forms, watching movies and having robust discussions around them, sharing a meal with family and friends, and a good game of (English) football.

Liam Nolan

Youth & Families Minister
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Liam

Liam grew up in the local area and is very grateful to have had parents who introduced him to Christ as a child. Liam considers it a privilege to have known the one true living God for his whole life. Liam trained and worked as a Social Worker before joining the team at St Stephens. Liam is married Laura, and they have one baby boy.

Liam loves to eat and drink yummy things, chat with pretty much anyone about pretty much anything or sit in the sun with a good book.

Liam is responsible for overseeing the youth ministries at St Stephen’s. He’s passionate about seeing young people come to know Jesus, and grow in their knowledge and love of him.

Jess Donohue

Community & Pastoral Care Minister
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Jess

Jess praises God for her family who led her to faith at a very young age. She has a deep love for God and for people; which makes her passionate about the church being a people who demonstrate God’s love and care to one another and the world around them.

Jess trained as Secondary Teacher before completing her Masters of Divinity and moving into vocational ministry. She is thankful to have had the opportunity to serve in a number of churches and ministry contexts in Normanhurst and the neighbouring suburbs.

Jess is married to Andrew and in her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking up a storm, or relishing a good cup of coffee.

Felicity Stead

Office Administrator
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Felicity

Felicity became a Christian at the age of 8, when she responded to a gospel talk at church in Perth. She is still God’s work in progress as she grows in the knowledge of His grace and love and the riches of his Word. Married to Michael, she served with him for 15 years at St James Turramurra in women’s ministry, conference speaking, pastoral care and leading bible studies. Now Michael is Bishop of South Sydney – her ministry focus is on supporting ministry families in South Sydney, ministry wives in the Diocese and the work of the worldwide church (through Gafcon). She has worked as a commercial lawyer, has a diploma in Biblical Studies and her eclectic interests include cooking, entertaining, playing drums and watching NFL football.

As the Office Administrator for St Stephen’s Felicity provides support to our ministry staff and oversees many aspects of the day to day running of our church.

Tadhg Richards

Ministry Intern
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Tadhg

Tadhg grew up in Thornleigh and has been attending St Stephen’s his whole life. He praises God that he was raised in a home where Jesus was at the centre of everything and hasn’t know a day where he wouldn’t call Jesus Lord.

Tadhg completed a Diploma of Christian Studies during his time at Year 13 and, more recently, a Certificate 3 in Outdoor Leadership through the Cru Summit Traineeship. He’s very excited to continue growing in his understanding of Jesus and developing skills to proclaim the gospel faithfully.

Tadhg is married to Hayley and, in his spare time, loves playing guitar, hanging out with mates and watching his GWS Giants win the flag (surely they’ll win one day, right…)!