Meet our Eldership Team
You’ll Be Glad You Did
Jenny Syme
Elder
I feel blessed and privileged to serve RVC as an elder.
I have been part of the church community since shortly after its conception and have lived in the Yarra Valley for over thirty years.
I love God, His Word and His ways.
I value the office of Eldership and working as a team to ensure the spiritual and physical well being of all members of the River Valley Church, encouraging them to grow and use their giftings and passions.
I also value engaging with this amazing community in many ways and sharing God's love and hope.
Gil & Cathy Cann
Mentors
Gil and Cathy bring years of experience to our eldership and we value their wisdom and knowledge.
Julie Bell
Elder
I have been walking with Jesus since I was fourteen.
My idea of church is that we are all one body. After spending seventeen years serving alongside the church in China, India, and other places in Asia, I have seen many different expressions of faith and worship - and I love the diversity in God’s Kingdom.
After we left China, my American husband and our three children moved here to Australia and began attending River Valley Church in 2006. We now have four children and are so blessed to call this beautiful valley and rich community our home.
I have never formally attended Bible school, but I so love the Word of God. For years, our job was to courier Bibles across the border into Communist countries and this impressed on us how precious the Word of God is – when you can’t easily access it. It’s life and truth and sustenance. More than that – Jesus IS the word of God! Get me started on the topic and it’s hard to stop!
My heart is worship in all its forms. (Yes, washing is most definitely is worship. Not just feet. Dishes! Children! Toilets! etc) My passion is seeing people come to experience the transforming love of Jesus Christ and being build up, made whole, strengthened and equipped to reach a hurting world in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Grant & Judy Morris
Elders
Grant and Judy come from a long history of Christian community. They bring a down-to-earth approach to all that they do within our community and we strongly value their dedication to our church vision.
Murray Patterson
Elder
My wife Ann and l have lived in the Yarra Valley for eight years, the past few have been with RVC.
We love this part of the Valley and the community.
I became a Christian as a teenager and have had some challenging and exciting adventures in my
walk with Jesus. I was involved in youth work and adventure camping in N Z and after finishing my apprenticeship in carpentry I attended a Bible school in Auckland. I then spent seven years in New Guinea and Fiji doing missionary work. I then returned to NZ and qualified as a teacher .
In 1980 I migrated to Melbourne teaching as a TAFE and secondary school teacher, also working with disadvantaged youth and adventure camping. Since retiring we have moved to the Yarra Valley.
I love the Bible and I’m constantly amazed by God’s love and desire to work in and through me.
I’m looking forward to being involved in R.V.C. and to be part of the eldership team.
