Hi! I’m Andrew Coates and I’ve been in ministry since I my early twenties…
I started in ministry like many, running connect groups, serving in church and the like, but quickly found myself neck deep with no experience! I was offered the role of teaching SRE in a local public high school, and needed to rewrite the Years 7-8 curriculum… while teaching it!
It was during this time of being way out of my depth, relying on God, that I discovered the call of God on my life and the grace God had given me to teach the Word of God. That was in 2008 where my bi-vocational ministry life began…
From 2008 to 2022 I was a pastor at C3 church Port Stephens, and was the Executive Pastor for the latter 10 years, involved primarily in preaching, teaching and overseeing interns and early discipleship, and running an extension service (campus).
I have a passion for learning and for teaching, and am passionate about the power of God’s Word in the life of ordinary, every day believers.
I am a trade qualified Patternmaker, hold a diploma in Christian Ministry, Diploma of Business, a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, & I also completed my B.Ed/B.Tech in 2024.
I have been married to my high school sweetheart Rachel since 2005. Rach is a high school music teacher, and a PD/H/PE teacher, and an incredibly gifted worship leader and an amazing mother. Together we have 4 amazing children whom we homeschool while we attempt to create a bit of a homesteading lifestyle on our family property.
Currently I attend Hope UC (Port Stephens) and run a manufacturing business with my best mate.
