Matt (Wiley) and Beck Wilesmith have been in youth leadership for the past 19 years. They are passionate about raising young leaders and seeing teenagers saved. They are the youth pastors of Hope Unlimited Church and oversee 6 campuses.
Wiley is a trained PDHPE Secondary Teacher and speaks in high schools all over Australia on respectful relationships. Beck has a Bachelor of Communications and has worked in politics and in the not-for-profit sector. She currently works for Micah Australia in the aid and development sector. They have 2 kids, Jack and Alfie.
Klummy, as he’s affectionately known, pioneered the academy in NSW about 8 years ago. He’s the kind of leader every leader wants on their team. There’s not much Klummy can’t do, and if you say he can’t, he will more than likely prove you wrong! Klummy pastors the Port Stephens campus of Hope Unlimited Church. He was formerly a youth pastor for 12 years and is a trained PDHPE secondary teacher. Under his leadership and guidance at the academy, our students are in the safest yet most challenging environment to stretch, grow, and learn.
Joel is the Executive Pastor at Celebration Church and has grown incredibly fruitful youth and young adult ministries. Not only has he grown significant ministries, but he has successfully transitioned them into health and further fruitfulness. The mark of every great leader is their ability to reproduce leaders, and Joel does this effortlessly. He is a fountain of wisdom and knowledge and is a gift to the Kingdom. With years of experience, Joel is building a strong network of Young Adult leaders in NSW and the ACT.
Aywan Suileman is our Sydney YA academy coordinator. He is a gifted connector, he is continually making people feel seen and known. Aywan has helped countless people find family in the kingdom of God by connecting the unconnected into the Youth Alive network. He is the youth and young adults pastor at Revival Church alongside his wonderful wife Sophia. They have years of youth ministry experience and are an incredible asset to team NSW.
Jess is our Hunter/Central Coast YA academy coordinator. She’s a trained Primary School Teacher and is our most experienced minister. She has been pastoring for over 20 years and has ministered across the globe. Jess is currently pastoring the Maitland campus of Hope Unlimted Church alongside her husband Steve and when it comes to ministry there isn’t much she hasn’t done. From kids ministry to teaching SRE, from youth ministry to any event or community outreach that exists, Jess has probably led or been a part of it. She’s a passionate teacher and leadership coach; being under her mentorship is the biggest blessing.
academy.hunter@youthalivensw.com.au
Zoe is the fuel in the Youth Alive vehicle. She keeps everything running behind the scenes and is exceptional. If you have questions regarding anything youth alive, Zoe will have the answers. Outside of youth alive she’s EA to Ps Mark and Darlene Zschech at Hope Unlimited Church and is heavily involved in the HopeUC youth ministry.
admin@youthalivensw.com.au
The primary responsibility of our regional leaders is to build strong relationships in their region. The health and strength of a region is determined by the health and strength of the relationships within that region. We seek to build unity between Churches and denominations, we’re just better together! Our regional leaders have a plethora of experience in ministry and are available to coach, support, and resource youth and young adult leaders if they’d like. Other responsibilities include facilitating region-wide leaders and youth events and working to ensure no youth or young adult pastor is alone.
aywan@youthalivensw.com.au
jesseb@strongnation.church
nickd@c3newhope.com
joel@celebrationchurch.com.au
tristan@lifehouse.net.au
samuel.gates@generocitychurch.com
newman.peeauake@revive.online
austin.ward@hopeuc.com
danny.g@lifeuc.com.au
matt@inchurch.com.au
Youth Alive is a Christian organisation founded by the Australian Christian Churches (ACC) that operates in every state in Australia. The concept for Youth Alive was formed in 1982 at a camp in Victoria. It was birthed out of genuine concern and passion for reaching young Australians with a positive message. This concern was being felt in a similar fashion in every other state, and in June 1986, youth leaders from around the nation met in Melbourne to discuss plans to make an impact on this issue. Out of this meeting, Youth Alive was formed with its first national director, Mal Fletcher. Not a week goes by without the media reporting appalling statistics regarding the youth crisis in Australia today. It’s statistics like these that drive the heart of every member of Youth Alive. Our young people are the future of our nation, and we believe that this is a future worth living. Therefore, it is our purpose to bring a message of hope and encouragement to those in need and then go beyond this by providing genuine support through local youth groups to help teenagers realise their potential.
Join us at our vibrant events to experience uplifting spirits, inspiring speakers, and a welcoming community where you can connect, grow and thrive.
Youth Alive (YA) is a not-for-profit that exists to reach people with the gospel, raise young leaders, and resource youth and young adult ministries.
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