Youth Leadership Team

Our Youth Leadership Team consists of 25 dedicated adult leaders who have varied life experience and are of all ages.  All our leaders have completed the necessary Working With Children Check requirements, and have been selected for their ability to positively engage with and encourage high school aged young people.

Craig Shannon is Youth Pastor and leads the team.  He is married to Christine and they have two teenage children, Dominic & Angela.  They have been part of the family at Georges River since 2007. Craig also leads the Connections Team at Georges River, helping people to connect into our church family in healthy purposeful ways. He enjoys bushwalking and most sports. Contact Craig at the office on 9153 6300 or email.

Bowen Douglas has been part of the Georges River family since 2006.  He is a mechanical engineer by profession, and enjoys spending time with his wife Taryn, hanging out with family and friends, surfing, the great outdoors, and playing World of Warcraft.  Bowen is one of the key leaders responsible for our Senior High program, and is the Year 10, 11 & 12 Boys Pod leader.

Christine Shannon is responsible for leading one of our Year 9 Girls Pods.  She is a counsellor with Georges River Life Care, and has a heart to see people living a full and purposeful life. She enjoys playing netball and going for walks along the beach with friends.  She is married to Craig and they have two teenage children, Dominic & Angela.

Darrin Garth has been part of the family here at Georges River since 1989. Darrin is a self employed landscaper/gardener. You may spot him during the week around the Lugarno Peakhurst area as he tends to local gardens.  He is also the reason the indoor/outdoor plants and gardens at Georges River Life Centre are in such good condition.  Darrin is responsible for leading one of our Year 9 Boys Pods.  In his spare time he loves to fish.

Beth Taylor completed her HSC last year and is now studying Primary Education at University, while working part-time at a pharmacy.  She started attending Sold Out Youth as a student in 2007, and has stepped up into leadership this year, taking on responsibility as one of the leaders in our Year 7 girls Pod.  Beth has a great smile, and she loves to use it.  She also loves helping others and spending time with friends and family.

Rhian Foster feels blessed to lead the Year 8 Girls Pods.  She has been part of the Georges River family since 2005 and works in Events Management.  In her spare time she likes to catch up with family and friends, making crafts and looks forward to every Friday night she gets to spend at youth.

Ben Rusin has been part of the family at Georges River since 2009. He is currently studying history and politics through Macquarie University and services boilers during the day.  He also loves to hangout with his girlfriend Alison, and anything to do with church. He lives in the Shire and loves serving in the youth ministry – in fact there is no where else he’d rather be on a Friday night!  He is responsible for our Year 8 boys. For Ben, God is centre to all things.. and through God, Ben finds his place in this world.

Phil Dixon has been a part of the Georges River family since 2005 and is married to his lovely wife Renee and has 2 beautiful daughters Georgia and Lauren. Phil works as a Model Maker and has a keen interest in competitive cycling. Phil also enjoys surfing and the outdoors in general, and loves spending time with his family and watching the girls grow. Phil is our Youth Team’s Worship Leader and co-ordinates the youth band, known as “Curious George”. Phil loves seeing the youth connect with their Heavenly Dad through music.

Andrei Mocanu connected into the family at Georges River in 2010.  He loves spending time with God, hanging out with friends, seeing people experience the love and presence of God, and a bit of table tennis when time allows it.  He currently works in web development.  Andrei is responsible for leading one of our Year 9 boys Pods.

Angelika Alexopoulos began attending Sold Out youth as a student in 2007.  Since that time Angelika has finished her HSC and is now working full time in retail and studying nutrition and retail.  Angelika is a great encourager and loves being around people and making them happy.  She also loves being part of the church family at Georges River, spending time with family and friends, and going to the beach.  Angelika is responsible for leading one of our Year 8 Girls Pods and is also a River Kids leader Sunday mornings, both opportunities giving her the chance to share her faith and love for God.

More profiles to come soon