Pastor Andrew Fox
Andrew was born in Sydney in 1968 and was promptly taken to the New Hebrides (now known as Vanuatu) by his Dad and Mum (Greg and Helen Fox), who were being sent out as Missionaries to the Big Nambas tribe on Malekula Island – a tribe of former cannibals! They planted a church there, and many people have since become Christians! The church is still there. In 1975 the family moved to Port Vila (the capital of Vanuatu) to start another church. They stayed there for seven years. So, Andrew spent the first 14 years of his life in Vanuatu.
The family returned to Sydney in 1983 and then moved to Brisbane in 1984, so that Andrew’s Dad could be the Pastor of Presbyterian Reformed Church Mt. Gravatt. Although Andrew became a Christian as a child, he came into membership of the church at age 18.
After finishing school, Andrew studied photography and recreation management, completing his degree in 1994. In that same year, Andrew married Noelene Baigrie. After a few years, Andrew began studying for the Ministry whilst working for the State Library of Queensland. He completed his studies (John Knox Theological College) in 2002. That was also the same year that Andrew and Noelene’s eldest child, Jonah, was born.
In 2003, they moved to Bathurst (NSW) so that Andrew could become the Pastor of the Presbyterian Reformed Church there. During that time, Ella and Reuben were born. They greatly enjoyed country life and have lots of happy memories of that time. Noelene was also able to complete her degree in primary and early childhood education.
In 2014, Andrew and Noelene (and the children) moved to Port Vila, Vanuatu, so that Andrew could be the Pastor of the church there. During the three years that they spent there, there were many opportunities to train younger men to serve in the church, as well as to preach the gospel to the many young people in the congregation.
Although they desired to stay longer in Vanuatu, in the providence of God, Archie was born. Because of Archie’s health difficulties, Andrew and Noelene needed to stay in Australia, in order to access quality health care.
Andrew was then able to devote four and a half years to translating the Old Testament into the Big Nambas language (Vanuatu). The New Testament had already been translated by his Dad (and others). The whole Bible has now been printed and distributed in Vanuatu.
In 2021, their son Reuben suffered a spinal cord injury. This was a time of great upheaval and trauma for the whole family. Noelene was able to return to work to support the family, while Andrew took on the role of full-time Carer for Reuben.
The family began attending Grace Christian Church Redbank Plains just as the last Pastor of the church – David Smith – began to indicate that he would soon be retiring. The congregation was then without a Teaching Elder for over two years. After much prayer and heart-searching, Andrew indicated his willingness to become the Pastor of the church. In December 2024, Andrew was ‘installed’ as the Pastor.