In October 2009 ANGLICARE Sydney welcomed a new member to its Parish Partnerships team – Mat Teakle. Mat has quite a varied background.
Shortly after he was converted at the age of 18 he gave himself to serving Christ through University and Parish ministries having undergone training through the Ministry Training Strategy and Moore College. His most recent role at St Andrews Cathedral saw him working with the homeless and socially excluded. The opportunity to serve in this way came as a surprise, with the Dean, Philip Jensen offering him the role on the basis of Mat being a good listener.
Mat thinks he developed this reputation after a well dressed lady came to the Cathedral and asked to speak with someone. Even though she was articulate and very well dressed, she appeared distressed. By dint of circumstance Mat happened to be that person, and listened to her for an hour.
“I really didn’t know what to say to her as she poured out her issues to me. All I remember is repeating every so often, ‘that must be really difficult’. At one stage I may have even said, ‘I don’t know what to say.’” However it seems that a listening ear is all she needed at the time, because she later phoned Philip Jensen referring to Mat as a skilled counsellor.
In working with people who have very little, Mat’s biggest lesson was learning that he is no different to them. “Those who are homeless or suffer with mental illness or are desperately lonely may be in a more obvious situation of need, but I am really no different to them in relation to my most basic needs and wants. The heart of the matter is that we all need Christ.”
Mat is passionate that churches are well resourced so that they can demonstrate practically the power of the gospel in their local communities and take light into the darkest of places.
“I think we need to be careful that the churches don’t think of ANGLICARE as the professional carers. While there is a vital role for professionals, we need to ensure that all Christians are doing what they can to show practical and meaningful care in Christ’s name.”
The training workshops he will be facilitating in 2010 are an important means to achieve that goal. (See When People Need Help Training Workshops.)
Another passion in Mat’s life is his family: wife Debbie and children Amy, Daniel, Nathaniel and soon to arrive baby number four! 2010 will indeed be a big year for Mat.