Pastor Stephen Radke’s installation in Central Australia

Pastor Stephen Radke has been installed as part of the Finke River Mission in Central Australia.

Based in Alice Springs Lutheran Church, Pastor Stephen Radke will focus on ministry in the Alice Springs town camps and across other Central Australian communities.

The installation was conducted by Pastor Rob Borgas, a former Pastoral Support Worker in the Pitjantjatjara language area and a current member of the Finke River Mission (FRM) board. Pastor Borgas represented bishops Paul Smith and Andrew Brook, who were sadly unable to attend.

Marcia Hoffmann, Chair of FRM, introduced Stephen, highlighting his return to Central Australia and his dedication to the mission. The service was supported by pastors Rodney Malbunka, Ben Pfeiffer, and Paul Traegar. Stephen and his wife Ondre are returning to Central Australia after a long hiatus. Stephen had previously vicared at Alice Springs Lutheran Church and served for three years at Papunya in the late 1980s. His message was about the ‘one thing needful’ – gathering at Jesus’ feet, together, to learn from him. His message resonated with the congregation.

The service was followed by a community lunch, a joint celebration of fellowship and connection. This installation marks a significant movement for Alice Springs Lutheran Church and the broader FRM community. With Stephen’s extensive experience and passion for ministry, we have eager anticipation and hope for the future of our Central Australian communities. He will be focused on training Aboriginal leaders and church workers, aligning with the mission’s goals of fostering local leadership and nurturing faith-based initiatives. We look forward to seeing Stephen’s contributions and the growth of the ministry in this region.