Lisa McInnes-Smith

Patron

Evangelist/Inspirational Speaker

When Lisa became a Christian at 26 years of age, God placed a burning desire in her heart to reach out and inspire youth and young adults. In the pursuit of her vision, Lisa has become well known in corporate Australia as an inspirational speaker. In the ‘spare’ moments of her work life, Lisa has also authored seven best-selling books.

Bobbie Houston

Co Senior Pastor Hillsong Church, NSW

Born and raised a ‘Kiwi’, Bobbie found Jesus at the tender age of 15. She fell madly in love with God and His house, and has, in essence, spent the last 30 years seeking to make known His fame (Psalm 145:4,7). One year into marriage, Bobbie and her husband Brian, found themselves living in Sydney, and loving this nation. They are now senior pastors at Hillsong Church in Sydney.

Bobbie says, “I believe the women of this nation have an integral part to play in God’s master plan for the earth and I personally consider it an honour to be one of His Aussie girls!”

Merridie Costello

Freelance writer and editor, VIC

Wife of Tim Costello, CEO World Vision Australia

Merridie joined the Christian Woman Board of Reference in 2003. She was impressed that the intention was to have a Board that represented a broad cross-section of the Christian community.
Merridie has grown up a Baptist and is presently fellowshipping with the St. Kilda Baptist community, Melbourne. Her husband, Tim, has recently become the Executive Director of World Vision Australia, adding a new challenge to their lives with much international travel. She is a trained secondary teacher and has more recently worked as a school chaplain. Merridie is presently undertaking free-lance work as an editor and writer.

She is mother to three young adults all of whom still choose to live at home and keep their parents lives full of interest and interaction!

Jenny Baxter

Editor

Editor of Christian Woman, Jenny Baxter, has been involved in publishing in varying degrees since 1981, culminating in her current role, which she began in early 2002. A devoted mother of five with children ranging in ages from 20 to nine years old, Jenny and her husband Stephen, were for more than two decades involved in the leadership of their local Baptist church. More recently, they have moved to Tasmania where they live in Poatina, an intentional Christian community and international training base for the Youth and Community group, Fusion. “The thing I enjoy the most about my job with CW,” says Jenny, “is the opportunity to develop relationships with contributors from all walks of life . . . from the high-flyers, to the average hard worker. Oh yes, and it is just the best to have a job where I have to refer to my Bible all the time!” 

Jeannie Mok

Foundation Principal, Asian Pacific Institute, QLD

A university lecturer for eight years, Jeannie is now Foundation Principal of Asian Pacific Institute and Director of the Multicultural Community Centre, Brisbane.

With David, her husband, she pastors International City Church, which also comprises Spanish-speaking and Cantonese-Mandarin services and an African outreach. Elder son Jonathan, a lawyer, has just become a full-time pastor, whilst Julian, a dentist, is a worship-leader.