Our Team

Rev ‘Oto V Faiva

Ministry Team Leader, Carlingford-West Epping Uniting Church

Hello! Malo e lelei (In Tongan). My name is ‘Oto V Faiva (Rev), and I am privileged to serve as the Ministry Team Leader at Carlingford-West Epping Uniting Church. My wife’s name is Bella, and we are blessed with four children (young adults) – three daughters and a son.

I have a deep love for Jesus and am passionate about sharing the gospel. I believe that God has come near to us, offering the hope and assurance that we can live in joy and peace, regardless of the circumstances we face.

Jesus is truly a gift for life!

When I have time, I enjoy reading, cooking, gardening, baking, and doing a bit of odd jobs (e.g. carpentry, tiling etc).
I especially love meeting people, whether it’s over a cup of coffee or a shared meal.
I look forward to meeting you and connecting in fellowship!

Malo (thanks)

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Rev. Tennyson Chan

Church Planter, Carlingford-West Epping Uniting Church

Dear Friends,

I am filled with gratitude and joy as I introduce myself to you as a Multicultural Emerging Generation Church Planter. My wife, Elsa, and I—together with our three grown children and growing number of grandchildren—are excited to embark on this journey of faith and service.

We are deeply committed to building a welcoming and spiritually enriching environment where people of all generations and backgrounds can experience Christ’s love. The gospel calls us to engage across cultural and generational lines, creating spaces where everyone feels valued and empowered to follow Christ in their unique ways.

I am thankful for the opportunity to serve in this role and for the support of the broader faith community. I look forward to meeting and working with you as we discern God’s vision together. Please feel free to connect with me—I would love to hear your stories and share in this journey with you.

Let us move forward with confidence in God’s guidance, bringing hope and connection to the communities we serve.

In Christ’s service,

Tennyson Chan

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Jeane Finnegan

Children and Family Worker

I’m passionate about loving God and loving people. Before entering ministry, I spent ten years working in Organisational Change Management, but later responded to God’s call by completing a Bachelor of Theology. Since then, I’ve served in a variety of contexts—including hospitals, aged-care facilities, workplaces, and churches—seeking to share compassion, hope, and the message of Jesus wherever I go.
My deepest passion is equipping children, youth, and families to become disciples who make disciples. I love inspiring the next generation to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and to live out their faith in everyday life.
Outside of ministry, I enjoy nature walks and cycling, dancing, cooking, reading, attending the theatre, and spending quality time with friends and family.
I will be commissioned as Family and Community Pastor at the 9:30 am service on Sunday, 2 November 2025.

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Emma Butler

Office Administrator

I have been serving as Office Administrator at West Epping for the past two years, working two days a week to support the life and ministry of our church. My husband and I have five children, and our family first became part of the West Epping congregation over 12 years ago when I began bringing my children to Mainly Music. I love being part of this community and enjoy contributing in both practical administrative tasks and creative ways that help support the ministry of the church.

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