October Guest - Stephanie Lockton

After a long break from special guests I'm excited to bring this segment back with Steph Lockton.

I met Steph as ‘Lorens’ when I was about 14 years old when she worked at the Greater Sydney Conference. Here we are more than a decade later and we’re both married and mamas and doing many things. Today Steph Lockton is wife to Andrew, mother of 2, working full time as an internal auditor and strategic projects specialist for Wesley Mission and was regularly seen on Avondale College Church’s Youtube channel hosting, ‘Beginners with Steph’ during the 2020 COVID season.

Thank you so much for talking to me today.

1. What do you do now and what have you done in the past that led you here?

I am actively involved as a helper in the Kindy Sabbath School class where my daughter attends. I’ve always seemed to have a great connection with children and thinking about it now, my past jobs have involved children. I was the Principals Secretary at Sydney Adventist College for a number of years and following that, I was Departmental Assistant in Children’s Ministries with Pr Pablo Lillo at the Greater Sydney Conference. I’m a City girl, so when the opportunity came to move to Lake Macquarie, I was hesitant, but am so grateful that we did.

2. How did ‘Beginners with Steph’ start?

In 2019 Pr Alex Green from College Church preached about stepping out of your comfort zone and I felt something move in me. I plucked up the courage to accept the leadership role of teaching Beginners which I did at the beginning of 2020. I did about 5 face-to-face classes and then COVID hit. I connected with Pr Miki and told her that I would be happy to film a Sabbath School class to put online, and so the journey of Beginners with Steph started.

3. Was it daunting getting up in front of a camera, singing and talking to ‘no one’?

At first I was really nervous, but I felt Gods calming presence and my Pastoral cheer squad – Pr Nim, Pr Alex & Pr Miki always there by my side. I’m used to public speaking and singing in front of crowds, but this was such a different feeling but so fulfilling.

4. Did you ever experience any self-doubt about hosting a kids program? If so, how did you combat it? If not, why do you think that is?

I did experience a little self-doubt. I don’t have any teaching experience or qualifications and as a new member of the church, felt that someone else with more experience could’ve been better suited. I kept reminding myself to step out of my comfort zone and really lean into the opportunity that presented itself.

5. What is your spiritual passion? I’ve been blessed to be part of music ministry with my family “The Mauritian Singers” since birth, so I absolutely love ministering to others through singing. Since ‘Beginners with Steph’ children’s ministry has now become another passion. It is my new calling which I’m still working through (more like negotiating with God) what my next step will be.

6. How has working for the Church in your different roles influenced your walk with Jesus? I had great leaders who prayed for me, who mentored me, who always supported me not only through my personal struggles, celebrations and life in general, but also seeing firsthand how God opened doors for me even through my self-doubt. My journey in working with the church has strengthened my walk with God.

7. What is one way you've experience God's everyday grace? My family. They are just amazing, supportive and so loving.

8. This last one has seemed to be easy for the last few guests but, what is one question you'll ask God when we get to heaven?

Wow, that’s such a good question!

My question would be ……. why me?

He knows my faults, my sins, my all ….. why me?

Thanks so much Steph!

You can catch all the episodes of 'Beginners with Steph' on Youtube