Changes to the BCA Community for 2027

Greg Harris, National Director

As we head rapidly towards the end of the year, there are some changes to the BCA community to let you know about for 2027.

Queensland/Northern NSW Regional Officer Mike Uptin will commence a new role as Assistant to the Bishop of Armidale from January 2027. Mike has served as the QLD/NNSW Regional Officer with excellence and great care since early 2021. His resignation is a great loss to the Regional Officer team and the wider BCA community.

“It has been a privilege and joy to serve God and His mission as Regional Officer for these past six years. The joy, for both Sandra and me, has come from many quarters – from being part of an excellent, competent and godly leadership team; to being humbled by the willingness of our Field Staff to give every person in the bush every chance to know Jesus and then having the perseverance to stick at it; to feeling lifted and carried by the prayers of BCA supporters from around the country. Although we have mixed feelings about leaving BCA, we are excited to continue to advocate for those in rural, regional and remote Australia.

I’m delighted to announce a new student minister for the Victorian Region. Mark & Tara Watkins, along with their sons Patrick and Hamish will serve in the Bendigo Diocese. Mark, who was a carpenter for 25 years, is currently a part-time lay minister at Inglewood, Bridgewater and Newbridge. He will combine his work as a student minister while completing theological studies at Ridley College. Mark is no stranger to the BCA Community as his parents Ted & Morwen served with BCA in the 60s, 70s, and 90s.

We farewell our BCA President at the end of 2026 and welcome a new one. The Rt Revd Dr Glenn Davies has served as President since May 2021. As a Society we have benefited from Glenn’s theological leadership, episcopal wisdom, prayerful support and longstanding commitment to our mission. I am particularly grateful for his contributions to our Statement of Faith, and the guidance and wisdom provided to me.

The recently retired Bishop of Bathurst, The Rt Revd Mark Calder, has accepted the role of BCA President and will commence at the beginning of 2027. Like Mark Watkins, Mark Calder’s association with BCA goes back decades thanks to his parents Laurie & Pauline who served with us from 1955­–1977. Mark has a long-standing commitment to gospel ministry, advocacy of BCA and has extensive experience in leading and strengthening the church in rural, regional and remote Australia. On behalf of the BCA Board, I welcome Mark as our next president.

Please would you join with me in giving thanks and praying for Mike & Sandra, Mark & Tara and their boys, Glenn, and Mark. We are grateful for their part in the BCA story – going the distance to share Jesus in the bush.