ABOUT US
The Assembly Board
The Assembly Board’s role is to ensure that Baptist Churches of South Australia’s ministry is done in accordance with its values, mission, purpose, and strategic goals. They establish and oversee our governing policies and seek to do so with strategic vision, a future perspective, and an appreciation for diverse viewpoints.
Members of the Assembly Board
Officers of the Association

Rev Dr Melinda Cousins
Director of Ministries
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Director of Ministries
Melinda Cousins
- Director of Ministries since 2021
- Church: Richmond Baptist Church
Committee Membership
- As DoM Melinda participates in all the current committees
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- Bachelor of Theology (Honours)
- Advanced Diploma of Theology (Pastoral Ministry)
- Master of Arts (Theology)
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision (Pastoral)
Biography
Melinda had been a pastor with Baptist Churches SA since 2002, serving at Blackwood Hills Baptist and Richmond Baptist. She has also served as State Director for Global Interaction, Lecturer at Burleigh Theological College and Bible College SA, as Senior Lecturer at Tabor College before being appointed Director of Ministry Accreditation in 2016 and then Director of Ministries in 2021. Melinda has a deep love for God’s word and God’s world and is committed to seeing our biblical and theological values shape our actions as we participate in God’s mission together as a movement of local churches thriving in Jesus transforming the world.

Rev Scott Cadman
President
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President
Scott Cadman
- Board member since 2018
- Current term ends November 2024
- Church: Flinders Street Baptist Church
Committee Membership
- Moderating
- Assets Management
Qualifications
- BA (Hons) and BD
Biography
Scott has served in churches in England, New Zealand and for the last 12 years at Flinders St Baptist. He has spent most of his ministry in inner and central city churches. He served on the Assembly Council of the Baptist Churches in New Zealand for a period and has recently joined this board. He has a deep love and commitment to the local church and more than a passing interest in how long held Baptist principles fashions and shape our lives as Baptist Christian churches.

Elizabeth Moncrieff-Philp
Vice President
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Vice President
Elizabeth Moncrieff-Philp
- Board member since 2015
- Current term ends November 2024
- Church: Mt Barker Baptist Church
Committee Membership
- None currently
Qualifications
- BA BTh MSW Grad Dip Mental Health Science
Biography
Elizabeth has been actively involved in not for profit governance for the past 20 years. She has served on the executive of Interserve Australia as vice chair for three years. She joined the board of TEAR Australia in 2006 and served for 8 years, the last two years as National Chairperson. She also chaired the board of West Coast Youth and Community Support (an independent homelessness service) for four years through a period of constitutional review and structural change.
Elizabeth spent 6 years in Nepal as a partner of Interserve in the 1980s. On return to Australia she completed a Bachelor of Theology and Master of Social Work and currently works in the field of mental health. She is married to Leigh and together they have 6 children and 8 grandchildren.

Rev Daniel Gardiner
Immediate Past President
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Immediate Past President
Daniel Gardiner
- Board member since 2016
- Current term ends November 2024
- Church: Christies Beach Baptist Church
Committee Membership
- Assets Management
- Audit, Risk & Compliance
- Nomination & remuneration
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Ministry, Tabor completed Nov 16
Biography
Daniel has served on a variety of church, church denominational and not-for-profit boards in the UK and as a founding Director of ‘Cherish Uganda’ (a major NGO providing care for orphans with HIV). Concurrently with Pastoral leadership in churches, including church planting in Scotland, Daniel developed a multi-branch real estate business. This experience in property and church development means he understands pastoral, business and financial leadership. Being a strategic thinker Daniel can see value in providing a perspective to the Baptist movement informed by his experience from different fields and other regions around the world.
Elected Members

Linda Carrapiett
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Linda Carrapiett
- Filling Casual Vacancy since 2020
- Current term ends November 2023
- Church: Unley Park Baptist
Committee Membership
- Asset Management Committee
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Economics
- Graduate Diploma in Accounting
- Fellow of Chartered Accountants of Australia & New Zealand
Biography
Over 30 years experience in finance and business in a range of senior leadership roles including public practice, large corporates and not for profit organisations. Currently working as the Chief Financial Officer of the Julia Farr group in the disability sector.
I am keen to provide a valuable contribution to the board through strategic thinking, financial knowledge and governance skills. I am particularly interested in participating in strong, robust governance processes. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had and it is exciting to use my skills and experience to serve the Baptist churches of SA.

James Whalland
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James Whalland
- Board member since 2015
- Current term ends November 2025
- Church: Unley Park Baptist Church
Committee Membership
- Audit & Risk (Chair)
Biography
James commercial experience includes areas of risk and insurance. In addition to this he has not for profit board experience with the State Youth Exec for Churches of Christ. James values to opportunity to put his professional experience and qualifications into use for a faith and church context.

Andrew Edelsten
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Andrew Edelsten
- Board member since 2021
- Current term ends November 2023
- Church: Unley Park Baptist Church
Committee Membership
- Nomination & Remuneration Committee
Qualifications
- Masters of Human Resources
- Fellow of Australian Human Resources Institute (FAHRI) & Certified Practitioner of HR (FCPHR)
Biography
Andrew (Andy) is an active member at Unley Park Baptist and is Chair of the church Council where he also serves as a deacon. Andy moved to Australia with his family from the UK 7 years ago where he had a lengthy background in HR in both education and health sectors. He is currently the Executive Director of Human Resources at Tyndale Christian School Group, based at Salisbury East. He was a highly valued member of the DOM search panel and because of his relative newness to the Baptist church scene his perspectives were especially valuable.

Joshua Baldwin
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Joshua Baldwin
- Board member since 2019
- Current term ends November 2025
- Church: Clovercrest Baptist Church
Committee Membership
- Asset Management
Biography
Currently the Director for the Munro Group, Joshua has been in the real estate industry since 2011 and specialised in the formation and consulting of community plans in South Australia. A member of Clovercrest Baptist since 2015 and previously a member of the Uniting church, he has served in local church roles as well as state based leadership roles. He is thankful for the opportunities he has had to be involved with faith-based organisations and is passionate about moving them more deeply into the mission that God has called them to.

Rev Dan Beasy
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Dan Beasy
- Board Member since 2021
- Current term ends November 2024
- Church: Rostrevor Baptist Church
Committee Membership
- Accreditation and Ordination
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Ministry
Biography
Rev Dan Beasy completed his Bachelor of Ministry at Tabor College Adelaide majoring in Biblical Studies. He is passionate about seeing leaders identified and discipled and seeing people move from places of brokenness to wholeness in Jesus Christ. In 1997 he founded Lifewell Conference to empower individuals and equip churches to respond holistically in restoring lives to Jesus Christ. Lifewell Conference continues to help people live well as Jesus intends today.
Dan married his wife Ellen under the Moreton Bay figs in Adelaide’s Botanic Park in 2010 and they enjoy being parents to their young son, Tommy.
Dan is a Graduate of the Arrow Leadership Program and an Accredited & Ordained Pastor with Baptist Churches SA. He currently serves as Lead Pastor at Rostrevor Baptist Church. Prior to becoming Lead Pastor at Rostrevor in 2016, Dan served as an Associate Pastor there for 5 years and for over 10 years in various ministry roles at Enfield Baptist Church.
Dan served on the Baptist Care SA Board for 8 years from April 2013 to July 2021.

Nathan Walker
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Nathan Walker
- Board member since February 2023
- Current term ends November 2024
- Church: Richmond Baptist Church
Committee Membership
- Accreditation and Ordination (Chair)
Biography
Nathan has over 20 years of recruitment and HR experience, currently working in a senior national role with a large recruitment and labour hire firm. His particular focus is on people engagement and management, training, development and compliance. Nathan values the opportunity to to bring his personal and corporate experience to the Baptist Churches of SA.
Rev Kerry Davies
TBA
Casual Vacancy Available
The Assembly Board role offers a wonderful opportunity to bring skills, passion and experience together to serve our Baptist family. We are always looking for gender balance, cultural diversity and members whose strengths will enhance current board composition. Please see below for a skills matrix.
Assembly Board Skills Matrix
Board Skills
General Board Capacities
Skill |
Overview |
Importance |
Status |
Audit, Risk and Compliance |
Capacity to identify key risks, monitor risk and compliance and knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements. |
High |
Opportunity |
Assets Management |
Experience in business, economics, accounting and finance to analyse statements, assess business and financial viability, contribute to financial planning, oversee budgets, oversee funding arrangements. |
High |
Opportunity |
Strategy |
Identify and critically assess strategic opportunities and threats to an organization. Capacity to develop and implement strategies in context to our policies and objectives. |
High |
Strong |
Policy Development |
Ability to identify key issues for an organisation and develop appropriate policy parameters within which the organization should operate. |
Medium |
Satisfactory |
Human Relations Management |
Experience in evaluating performance of senior management, overseeing strategic staff management. Experience in industrial relations, human relations and organizational change management programmes. |
Medium |
Opportunity |
Governance & Board Experience |
Level of Board experience and completed formal training in governance and risk. |
Medium |
Satisfactory |
Baptist Churches of SA Skills
Skills aligning with the purpose and strategic plan of Baptist Churches of SA
Skill |
Overview |
Importance |
Status |
Theology and Ministry |
Experience and qualifications in Theology and Ministry. Experience as a Pastor, Church or mission parachurch leader. |
High |
Strong |
Mission |
Experience as an evangelist, a mission parachurch leader, cross cultural missionary. Qualifications in Mission studies, cultural anthropology, evangelism |
High |
Strong |
Formation |
Experience in education, training, development of people. Experience in theological and discipleship formation within Church |
Medium |
Strong |
Community Development |
Experience or qualifications in community development, church development, social services |
Medium |
Strong |
Public Relations |
Experience in Public Relations, Marketing, Advocacy. Experience in public engagement to positively influence public discourse |
Medium |
Opportunity |
Movement Connection |
Degree to which the member has connections to our churches and people across our Movement |
Medium |
Strong |
Diversity and Other
Diversity leads to better board outcomes
Skill |
Overview |
Importance |
Status |
Board Term |
Length of Board experience can carry institutional memory and experience |
Low |
1 members with > 5 years experience |
Aligned Organisations |
Aligned organisations relevant to Baptist Churches SA purpose to which members hold a strong connection |
Medium |
Satisfactory |
Church participation |
Level of Church Participation as ministry volunteer, leader, accredited Pastoral Leader or Chaplain |
High |
Strong |
Gender Diversity |
Equal gender representation is a priority |
High |
Opportunity Female 36%, Male 64% |
Age Diversity |
Age diversity brings different perspectives to board discussions. |
Medium |
Opportunity |
Cultural Diversity |
Member cultural heritage with a focus on inclusion for Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander and CALD |
High |
Opportunity Aboriginal-Torres Strait 0, CALD 1, Other 10 |
Qualifications |
Board breadth of qualification experience |
Low |
Satisfactory |
Board Committees |
Committees members are part of |
Opportunity |
Assembly Board Committees
Accreditation and Ordination Committee
- Nathan Walker (Chair)
- Colin Rolfs
- Cung Hnin
- Dan Beasy
- Gaynor Johnson
- Julie Gardiner
- Melinda Cousins
- Mike Bartlett
- Tony Ling
Assets Management Committee
- Linda Carrapiett (Chair)
- Bridget Townsend
- Daniel Gardiner
- Joshua Baldwin
- Melinda Cousins
- Scott Cadman
Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee
-
James Whalland (Chair)
-
Daniel Gardiner
-
Glenn Dixon
-
Melinda Cousins
Moderating Committee
-
Mark Sanders (Chair)
-
Mark Foley
-
Melinda Cousins
-
Scott Cadman
Nomination and Remuneration Committee
-
Scott Cadman (Chair)
-
Andy Edelsten
-
Liz Moncrieff-Philp
-
Melinda Cousins