Neil Dawson (Senior Pastor)
Born and bred in the Sutherland Shire, Neil completed a Bachelor of Science in Zoology at the University of NSW in 1983 and after a number of years in the research field felt called by God to serve in full-time Christian ministry. He began serving with Student Life at Wollongong University (1987-88) and Sydney University (1989-90), then moved into church-based pastoral ministry.
He completed studies in theology and ministry at Morling College in Sydney and served in various pastoral and leadership roles in Baptist Churches at Gymea (1990-95), Thornleigh (1996-2011) and Springwood (2011-12), before joining Menai Baptist Church in 2013 as Associate Pastor, overseeing pastoral care, connect groups, and ensuring people are fully integrated and engaged in the life of the church. In 2015 he was appointed as the Senior Pastor of MBC where he is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the church and its ministries, especially through casting the vision, equipping the church through biblical teaching, and upholding the needs of the church through prayer and pastoral care.
He has a passion for equipping people to be missional disciples of Jesus Christ, helping develop healthy communities of faith in the local church, and upholding the cause of the disadvantaged and marginalised. His interests include spending time in the bush, digital photography, relaxing over good coffee, watching movies, attempting golf and trying to reclaim his youth riding dirt bikes.
“I am drawn to transformational discipleship, helping others to explore what it looks like in their context to become more like Jesus. I value healthy, robust faith communities where Jesus is honoured and followed and where truth and grace abound. I am committed to serve through intentional leadership that promotes vision, encourages full engagement from others and inspires people to pursue God. I am very aware of my own brokenness and strive to fully trust in God’s redeeming and restorative work through His Spirit.”