General News
20 March, 2023
Tanika brings youth to church fellowship
Horsham Church of Christ has increased its pastoral team to three. Former Mildura resident Tanika Thorne has joined pastors Simon Risson and Jarrod Risson as the church's "generations" pastor. Ms Thorne will work primarily with pre-school and...
Horsham Church of Christ has increased its pastoral team to three.
Former Mildura resident Tanika Thorne has joined pastors Simon Risson and Jarrod Risson as the church's "generations" pastor.
Ms Thorne will work primarily with pre-school and primary-aged children, teenagers and youth.
She was named Mildura Rural City’s Young Citizen of the Year in 2019 and received a Volunteer Youth Award in 2018.
She comes highly credentialed for the tasks ahead.
Ms Thorne has a Bachelor of Education and is working towards a Postgraduate Certificate of Arts (Theological Studies).
She has led camps for youth and primary school-aged children, kids' clubs and school holiday programs and been involved in overseas missions to Kenya.
Ms Thorne undertook work experience in Kenya and has since returned many times and established an international organisation to assist children in the village of Masinde.
She has undertaken four mission trips to that country.
The mission trips and Kenya Go the Distance raised $50,000 to sponsor 45 young people to attend secondary school.
She has also lectured in Uganda at a local university, sharing teaching strategies and education theories with local teachers.
“I was not looking to work in Horsham and came here knowing no-one,” she said.
“But, I was looking for the next thing in my life, and believe this is for me.”
Simon Risson said the church was expanding its work and growing partnerships with many schools and other community groups.
"Tanika brings a range of gifts and her experiences locally and in Africa will be a great asset," he said.
"Because of the growing partnerships we needed someone on staff who interacts well with children and young people, and she loves kids and loves God."