Pastor shares vision after his surprising career change

Data from the 2021 Census revealed the number of people in the Toowoomba region who identify as non-religious has doubled in the past decade. Now the new pastor of a church has revealed his vision to change this.

Pastor Joe Azzopardi leads the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hume St. Picture: Nev Madsen

The new leader of a Toowoomba church has opened up about his surprising career change and how he plans to impact the future of religion.

Joe Azzopardi, who grew up in Toronto and spent his high school years on the east coast of Canada, moved to various parts of the country, as well as the US and Australia.

After teaching psychology to high school students in Victoria for nearly a decade, the father of three went on to complete a PhD in sociological studies and work as a school chaplain before leaving the education sector completely to pursue ministry.

Pastor Joe Azzopardi leads the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hume St. Picture: Nev Madsen

“I wrestled with the decision,” Mr Azzopardi said.

“When I was a teenager and first started going to church a lady told me I should become a teacher or pastor – I thought ‘that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard in my life’ but ended up being both.

“Towards the end of my teaching career I realised I loved people more than the subject matter but I still consider myself a teacher now, just in a different context.”

After accepting the role of pastor at the Toowoomba Central Adventist Church in mid-January this year, the 45-year-old moved from Brisbane to the region with his wife and three children.

And he faces a challenge with his arrival – one which he is eager to take on.

Data from the 2021 Census revealed nearly one in three people (31.7 per cent) in the Toowoomba region identified as non-religious.

Just 10 years ago, this number was 15 per cent, and in 2001 it was fewer than one in 10 residents.

While Mr Azzopardi said while it depended on the community and church, he had noticed a change in religion over the recent years, but did not believe it was due to a specific demographic.

He said there were currently 300 members on the CBD church’s books with about half attending the weekly sermons.

Members are made up of predominantly older generations and families – many who have immigrated from other countries.

The new pastor said more than 20 teenagers also attended last week’s Sabbath school class.

Passionate about intergenerational communities and with his background in teaching, Mr Azzopardi said he hoped to create a well rounded demographic at the church.

Pastor Joe Azzopardi leads the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hume St. Picture: Nev Madsen

“There has been a decline (in people following religion) generally in society because people don’t just want to hear nice words – they want to see action,” he said.

“We need to do a better job of mentoring, taking care of people and actually living out the mission we talk about.

“What I’ve been challenging the church on is getting them to think about what their purpose and mission is as Christians.

“(We need to) stop worrying about all the small things and just focus on helping people, regardless of what their perceptions or beliefs are.”

In addition to the Toowoomba Central church, there is also an Adventist Church in Highfields and Glenvale.