A Pastor’s Story

Jenny Brewer

“My favourite thing about this career / industry? People. Everything I do, I look at through the lens of eternity and how God can use me to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Jennifer Robyn Brewer is one of the Location Pastors of Faith Family Church Taree alongside her husband, Rick. Having been in this role for almost 3 years, Jenny’s responsibilities include oversight of pastoral care, oversight and administration of Taree’s Global Care outlet, and pastoral care in Faith Family Early Learning Taree. Since arriving on the Mid North Coast, Jenny has been able to become heavily involved in disaster recovery across the region, collaborating and working alongside other organisations to assist those who have lost homes and possessions through fires and floods; Jenny has had immense and varied experience with these disaster recovery efforts since the Brewers’ arrival to Taree in 2019, where they were welcomed with intense bushfires and multiple flood events. These efforts, which continue to this day, connect with Jenny’s inclination to care for the marginalised and oppressed within our communities, something that she has had a heart for and feels burdened to aid with:

“There is nothing more tragic to me than someone who has lost hope and has no one to turn to.”

Though born in Sydney, Jenny grew up in Sunnybank, Brisbane. Since marrying Rick, the Brewers have lived in 17 different homes across much of Queensland and now the Mid North Coast, including places in Roma, the Gold Coast, and various aspects of Brisbane. Jenny and Rick have been married for 32 years this year, first meeting at a youth group. Together, they have 5 children (4 sons and 1 daughter), one son-in-law, and three amazing grandchildren. In 1986. Jenny graduated from Somerville House in Brisbane and went on to study to become a travel agent, which led to many opportunities to travel and see the world. Continuing her educational pursuits, she received her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care in 2021 and is continuing to study for a post-graduate degree in Community Leadership and Resilience via Charles Sturt University - an opportunity given through a scholarship Jenny received last year via local Council.

From her younger years, Jenny was passionate about becoming a writer, but her love for travel redirected her focus to becoming a travel agent for 4 years, following a year-long administration traineeship at the Sarina Russo Business Academy. After her years in travel agency, Jenny was a medical receptionist for 7 years. When the opportunity to go to bible college arose, Jenny chose to focus on her family while she and Rick raised their five children, opting to continue to study the Word personally during that time, rather than academically.

“I have strong family values and have always cherished my role as a mother as well as being a mum figure to many.”

Throughout her time in ministry, Jenny has learned three valuable skills and traits that she believes are critical to long-term health and ability to succeed:

• The ability to put God first in all decision-making, believing that He can do the impossible

• The ability to be flexible and open to change (“I love the quote, ‘The only thing that stays the same is change’.”)

• The ability to focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses - keeping a positive mindset.

Jenny is an amazing leader and encourager of people, always looking for ways to believe in the best in people and to lend a hand to those who may need care. She had a personal message to share with our Legacy Magazine audience:

“Your heart to get behind the vision of our church and what we are doing is appreciated more than words. Together, we can make an eternal difference in countless peoples’ lives.”

If you’d like to reach out and contact Jenny in regards to anything you’ve read in this article, feel free to email her at jenny@faithfamily.com.au!