We are a Christian, national, cross-denominational, not for profit organisation which has representatives in all mainland states in Australia.  PeaceWise Ltd is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and has a National board with state directors and state working groups.

Currently our National Board comprises Bruce Burgess (National Director and NSW), Geoffrey Bateman (NT), Jeroen Bruins (WA) Elenne Ford (Qld and acting SA) and Li Ai Gamble (Vic and Tas).  John Hollier is our Company Secretary.    Leah Monzon and Rocelle Roque are our two vitally important administrative staff who assist in the ministry of PeaceWise. We attend different denominational groups, which reflects our passion for PeaceWise to be a ministry to the Church at large.

Bruce Burgess
BA(Hons) LLB(Hons) MA(Christ. Stud.) MTh

Bruce Burgess is a practising lawyer who divides his time between providing corporate legal advice and serving in Christian ministry, with a focus on Christian mediation and church consultancy work.  Bruce’s work has led him to become involved in disputes involving schools, workplace disputes, church-based conflict and victim-offender cases.  He works as a consultant and trainer both for the Baptist Union of NSW and ACT and the interdenominational ministry organisation Christian Growth Ministries, as well as being a visiting lecturer for Morling College in the area of Christians and conflict.  Bruce is the first Australian to be accredited as a Certified Christian Conciliator™ with Peacemaker Ministries.   Bruce attends St James Anglican Church, Croydon.

“I believe serving PeaceWise is the most strategic thing I personally can do to serve the church and bring honour to God, with all the hope and health that the ministry of reconciliation brings.   It’s not just about being the flying doctor service when things go wrong – it’s about helping ordinary Christians learn how to deal redemptively with conflict in their own lives and in the lives of others, with all the potential witness to Christ and glory to God that this entails.“

Geoffrey Bateman

LLB(Hons), Grad Dip in Higher Education, Cert IV in Youth & Community Work (Christian), Cert IV in Assessment & Workplace Training

Geoff has led a very interesting and varied career path to date – ranging from police officer and solicitor right through to youth worker, and various administration and management roles in schools (and many more in between)!   He is currently the CEO of the Northern Territory Christian Schools Association (NTCSA). Geoff is married with 3 adult children and lives in Darwin. He enjoys music (guitar, choir, listening), motorcycle riding and home-building & modification. (Although he does not have much time for the latter in more recent times!). Geoff's home church is Palmerston Uniting Church.  He joined the PeaceWise Board in August 2010 after being introduced to biblical peacemaking through his role as CEO of NTCSA

Jeroen Bruins

Drs. Geology (Free University of Amsterdam) 1985            

Jeroen Bruins has a professional background in the oil and gas industry.  Whilst calling Australia home for many years, he has also lived and worked in the U.K. Oman, Nigeria.  He is currently the Manager of International New Business Development with Woodside Energy. Jeroen lives in Perth and has been married to  Eva for over 30 years. They enjoy three adult  children. Jeroen has been a follower of Jesus since his 18th and Jeroen’s passion and gifting is in the area of prayer and seeing the Christian faith transform people’s lives.  This has caused him to be involved in a variety of ministries from initiating and encouraging networks of Christians to pray in and for those in their workplaces to starting and maintaining a microfinance mission work in Zambia, Africa.  In the last few years, Jeroen has been led in his work context to learn about mediation and its benefits and has and was subsequently drawn particularly to biblical peacemaking as a wholistic means of reconciling people at a heart level and not just on an issues level.  He sees this as an excellent opportunity to witness to others about the saving grace and forgiveness of Christ.  Jeroen enjoys a diverse range of recreational pastimes from the more active cycling, hiking and birdwatching to the more laid-back reading and enjoying time with friends – the latter sometimes enjoyed with wine and cheese! 

 

Elenne Ford
LLB(Hons)(Buckingham); LLB(Hons)(Qld)

“Conflict is a part of life wherever there are people. When dealt with in accordance with Biblical principles conflict can have a positive effect on our lives. It can widen our perceptions and bring spiritual growth and glory to God so that it is usually not necessary to resort to the legal system – a far less attractive option to parties in dispute.”

Li Ai Gamble
BCom, BJuris, LLB

Li Ai gained her legal and commercial qualifications from the University of Western Australia in 1990.  She has worked in private practice and for the Commonwealth Government, mainly in the area of workers’ compensation. Currently she is a full-time stay at home wife to a busy husband and mum to 3 equally busy daughters!  Li Ai loves her current occupation and when not being chief chauffeur enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family and generally relaxing.

“I am involved with PeaceWise because I see it as a great way to combine my training as a lawyer, helping people with their problems with my belief as a Christian, that the Bible provides ordinary people with the best strategy to approach disputes and difficulties.”

John Hollier

BCom, LLB, Acc Spec Bus Law

John has been a keen student of and advocate for biblical peacemaking for many years, having undertaken biblical peacemaking training both in the U.S.A  and Australia.  John has practiced as a solicitor since 1985 and is an Accredited Specialist in Business Law, as well as a member of the Law Society of NSW, Commercial Law Association of Australia and the Australian Charity Law Association. John is passionate about helping people in conflict to not just resolve their differences but reconcile their relationships.   John is a member of Grace Evangelical Church Newcastle. His interests are theology (having started a masters course at Sydney Missionary and Bible College) old books, cricket, squash and in 2010 ran …. er half walked ….. the Sydney City to Surf!

Rocelle Roque

Rocelle recently joined PeaceWise as the new Administrative Officer. She is an Accountant in the Philippines.  She is a mother of three daughters and is currently supporting her husband in his ministry in leading a bible study group.  

"I am both excited and thrilled to work for PeaceWise.  I seek to contribute to the growth of this ministry as I believe that this is something that I can do that would have an eternal value."

Leah Marie Monzon

Leah is our Office and Case Manager.  She has recently left the corporate world to follow her heart’s desire and the Lord’s direction to join Peacewise.  She and her husband Johann came to Australia in late 2009 for Johann to get trained on his specialty in medicine and they have come to love the place and the friends whom they have considered family.  Leah was actively involved in her church in the Philippines mentoring single women and now that she and her husband are in Sydney, they have become members of a small church called Word Wind Living Fellowship. 

“I believe Peacewise is a great ministry that the Lord has given us so we can help promote love and forgiveness that can only be attained through the work of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God in Christ Jesus.  I am excited to see broken relationships mended as we help people see and experience true forgiveness through the power of Christ. “

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