At New Lambton Uniting Church all members are welcome to serve in the ministry of the church. We do, however have a ministry team that helps to bring continuity to the life of the congregation. Our ministry team is comprised of Rev. Mitch Forbes, Bec Westphal (Children’s and Family Worker), and Mel Langi (Youth Worker). The team is ably supported by the hard work of many in the congregation using individuals skills and gifts in various areas to create meaningful worship, active social engagements, pastoral support and undertake numerous administrative functions.
Rev. Mitch Forbes
Mitch has had been an ordained minister for 10 years and joined New Lambton Uniting church in 2023. He has worked in small and large churches in Newcastle and Sydney, he planted a semi-liturgical church called NewCity (that he still runs alongside New Lambton Uniting Church), he has taught in the gap year program at the NSW Baptist theological college and was an itinerate speaker for a bit.
Mitch is never scared to ask difficult questions of the Christian tradition and sit uncomfortably with ambiguity and uncertainty. Alongside all that, he remains convinced that Christianity and the gospel of Jesus is beautiful in its simplicity and its intellectual complexity. He believes that Christians should always value and encourage uncertainty, humility and questions as well as faith, hope and love. More than that, for Mitch, faith and hope are built out of the building blocks of uncertainty and deep questioning. Mitch believes that, at its best, Christian faith is more about honesty, authenticity, doubt, faith, love, generosity, kindness, justice, grace and creativity than it is about having neat answers to theological questions.
Mitch is married to Kristen and has 3 beautiful kids, Harper, Lara and Leo. He loves reading, listening to lectures and podcasts, audio books and music, and is up for a chat about pretty much anything with pretty much anyone.
Bec Westphal
Bec has significant experience working with children, both in church settings and other contexts. She is passionate about forming fun and meaningful relationships with young people, and works to help them connect the faith story to the challenges and joys they face in their day-to-day lives.
Mel Langi
Mel, short for Melenaite (mel/e/night/dare), is passionate about leading and creating environments for youth to grow in their spirituality and faith. She has worked alongside youth leaders and ministry teams for many years, and the joy of working with others is what she finds most fulfilling.
