Following Jesus has taken Lonny far from his home in Ceduna, South Australia. He left family and church to embark on a significant faith journey. With a strong sense of calling, he enrolled to study at Ridley College in Melbourne. Lonny wants to share the Gospel within Indigenous communities.  

This is a big encouragement for the Melbourne Indigenous Church Fellowship and Indigenous Ministries Australia (IMA). "Only a small handful of Indigenous people have studied or graduated from the mainline denominational seminaries and Bible colleges at any time," said Nick Wight, IMA Coordinator East. 

The IMA Pathways Program aims to help both emerging and established Indigenous Christian leaders grow. The program offers culturally relevant support to help make ministry training more accessible and sustainable. Through the Pathways Program, young leaders like Lonny can connect, support each other, and gain guidance from Christian Elders. 

Lonny graduated in April with a Diploma of Ministry! He is also currently the Associate Pastor at the Melbourne Indigenous Church in Victoria.

Senior Indigenous Christian leader Uncle Don Hayward attended Lonny's graduation at Ridley College’s Parkville campus. He has been a long-time mentor for Lonny, as well as the Pastor at Lonny's home church, Berean Aboriginal Church in Adelaide, South Australia. The Pathways Program made his attendance at the graduation possible. 

Nick Wight also attended the graduation. "This is a deeply significant time," he reflected.   

For Lonny, the journey following Jesus is far from over. He is continuing his studies in 2023 to complete a Bachelor of Ministry, again at Ridley College. “His heart is to share his faith and the Gospel in a culturally relevant context,” reflected Nick. 

You can partner with IMA supporting emerging leaders like Lonny through the Pathways Program. Find out more at www.gmp.org.au/what-we-do/projects/australia/pathways-program