New Lutheran Media manager announced

Lifelong LCA member Liam Hensel is the new Lutheran Media manager.

An Adelaide-based marketing, communications and community engagement professional, Liam last month succeeded former manager Dr Tania Nelson, who had served in the role since August 2023.

Tania, who led significant developments across Lutheran Media’s ministry with her team, including upgrading the Lutheran Media and Messages of hope websites, redeveloping the Happyland ministry into Hope for kids and updating and Australianising booklet resources, has accepted a new ministry position at Mawson Lakes Community Church in South Australia.

Liam described taking on the role of manager at Lutheran Media as ‘both an honour and a privilege’.

‘I am excited to continue the incredible work the organisation has brought to life over the 80-plus years of its operation across Australia and New Zealand,’ he said. ‘For many, Lutheran Media and Messages of Hope have been a transformative influence – and for some, they have been the very first encounter with the message of love and eternal hope that can only be found in Jesus.

‘It is truly amazing to think that the work of such a small team has such an enormous impact on listeners, on readers, or on social media users, and that a word spoken, a message shared, or a twist of the radio dial could be the thing that introduces someone to a life-changing relationship with God and the Holy Spirit, through Jesus.

‘To follow in the footsteps of Tania and those who have previously held the responsibility for this incredibly important ministry, and to have an opportunity to help shape Lutheran Media into the future, is something truly special – and I feel extraordinarily blessed to have been called into this role.’

Tania said leading Lutheran Media had been a ‘joy and privilege’ for her. ‘I am delighted to hand over the reins to Liam, who comes to the role with a heart for mission and tremendous skills in communication and marketing,’ she said. ‘I wish him God’s blessings in this important role.

‘I’m also incredibly proud of the quality and quantity of the content that Lutheran Media shares via our websites, radio, print and digital media. Thanks to the support of faithful staff, volunteers and donors, we share hope in Jesus with a public that is in desperate need of the good news that life with Jesus brings.’

A former Director of Marketing for Faith Lutheran College Plainland in Queensland and at Investigator College Victor Harbor SA and The Andy Thomas Space Foundation in Adelaide, Liam has also previously served in youth and young adult ministry across the LCA’s South Australia–Northern Territory and Victoria–Tasmania districts, leading and directing camping ministry programs and supporting young adult engagement in several congregational settings.

He said Lutheran Media had ‘a genuinely exciting’ future. ‘The support the ministry continues to receive from individuals, organisations and congregations is a testament to the importance of the ministry in shining Jesus’ light into the lives of others, and I am truly honoured by the opportunity to use the gifts God has blessed me with to magnify that light brighter and further,’ he said.

Liam worships at St Michael’s Lutheran Church Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills.