Our Team

Tim Kay

Senior Pastor

Tim and his wife Jo have five children and a passion for seeing people encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and live out their calling. Tim became Senior Pastor of Thornleigh Community Baptist Church in January 2024 after almost a decade serving in mission in Russia.

During their time in Siberia, Tim led a discipleship centre with Operation Mobilisation, training and equipping hundreds of young Russian church leaders and helping send workers to some of Russia’s least-reached ethnic communities. Before moving overseas, Tim served as the pastor of Yass Community Baptist Church.

Since returning to Australia, he has continued his passion for developing people through pastoral ministry, teaching, and leadership. He has an online Bible teaching ministry, helping people connect with the original languages of Scripture. He is currently completing a PhD exploring the relationship between Russian Orthodox and Russian Evangelical spirituality, and also serves as a Chaplain in the Australian Army Reserve. Tim is an avid marathon runner.

Paul Dennis

Associate Pastor

Paul and his wife Naomi have three kids and have been part of the TCBC community since 2008. Paul joined the pastoral team in mid-2026 after spending 10 years serving with Baptist Mission Australia as an intercultural worker, ministering in both China and Sydney. Paul has a real heart for relational discipleship and evangelism. He loves coming alongside TCBC’s youth and young adults, helping them grow closer to Jesus and empowering them to serve God in every area of life.

In his spare time, Paul enjoys catching up with friends over good food and coffee, watching cricket and footy, playing guitar, and getting involved in community sport.

Naomi Dennis

Children's, Families, and Operations Pastor

Naomi is married to Paul and together they have 3 children. She has over 10 years’ experience working in the education sector. Along with her family, she spent 4 years living and working in China at an international school as the head of the Early Childhood Department, and later as a teacher and head of the English Department in the Primary school.

Naomi has also completed her Diploma of Ministry at Morling College. She is passionate about combining her experience and knowledge in the education field with her passion for everyone having a chance to hear the gospel in a way that makes sense to them, to grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Outside the office, Naomi loves to read and catch up over a good coffee, as well as spending time with her family and friends.

Lara Ridler

Pastoral Care, Lifegroups and Integration Pastor

Lara is married to Oli and has 2 young adult children. Together as a family they have been at TCBC for 24 years. Lara loves spending time over a cuppa listening to and encouraging women of all ages. She is passionate about the value Lifegroups bring to our church community as well as helping newcomers to TCBC find a welcoming place to belong.

In her time off she loves sunrises at the beach, photography and bushwalking.

Youth Ministry Coordinator

We’re hiring!
Thornleigh Community Baptist Church is seeking a part-time Youth Coordinator to oversee our Youth ministry.

Carol Hewatt

Seniors Ministry Coordinator

Carol is married to Les and has 4 children, Tim, Kara, Kelly & Kirrilly and 8 grandchildren. She has been at TCBC since 1969. She and her husband spent three year in PNG. She is now the Pastoral Care Coordinator for Seniors which involves overseeing the care of our Seniors, Tuesday Church, Around the Table (a dementia friendly group) and many other activities.

She loves teaching children, “extreme” reading (not sport!), and spending time with her family.

Keean Van Elven

Children's Ministry Assistant

Keean is our Children’s Ministry Assistant and has been attending TCBC since 2018. He became a Christian at TCBC through the youth group and has since served in a variety of ministries across the church, including worship, children, and youth ministries.

Keean has 4 years of experience in the Education sector as both a Classroom Tutor and as a Senior Educator in Out of School Hours Care. He is passionate about seeing children come to know Jesus and be transformed by his grace in the same way that it has changed his life.

Keean is currently studying and completing a Bachelor of Business (Marketing & Communications) at UTS. Outside of studying and work, He loves to sing to his heart’s content, sit and relax with a good book or enjoy whatever innovative tech or organisational item he has purchased lately.

Debbie Noble

Administration Assistant

Debbie is a mother to 3 children and is married to James. She loves a ‘to do’ list and is happy to chat and help answer any questions from those in the Church family or wider community. Debbie has been involved in multiple ministries through growing up at TCBC and loves being a part of the team.

Outside of the office, Debbie loves going on adventures with her family, catching up with friends and hanging out at the beach.

Transforming lives through Christ-centred community

Our Service Times:

Regular Sunday Services are 9:30AM, 4PM & 6PM

Tuesday Church is held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday during school term at 10am.

Address

15-17 Duffy Avenue Thornleigh NSW 2120

If you're wanting to get more connected at TCBC or would like to chat with someone on the Pastoral Team, let us know. We'd love to catch up with you.

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