Richard Coombs
Richard comes from New Zealand where he did his theological studies at the NZ Baptist Theological College (now Carey Baptist College). He pastored two Baptist churches in New Zealand before coming to Melbourne in 1988.
In Melbourne, Richard pastored the Beaumaris Baptist (1988-92) and North Balwyn Baptist (1992 – 2001) churches and was Australian Director for MECO Australia (Middle East Christian Outreach – 2001-2022).
Richard has travelled extensively through the Middle East and preaches regularly in churches and at Mission Conferences. He is also currently the Chairman of Belgrave Heights Convention.
He is married to Margaret, and together they have three married sons and eight grandchildren. Richard is an ordained minister with the Baptist Union of Victoria and is Teaching Pastor at the Chapel.
Michael Bräutigam
Michael originally comes from Germany where he studied theology and psychology. He served there as a pastor of the Free Evangelical Church. He and his wife, Jenni, lived for several years in Scotland, where Michael tutored in theology and completed his doctoral studies at the University of Edinburgh with a thesis on the Christology of Swiss theologian Adolf Schlatter.
Michael originally comes from Germany where he studied theology and psychology. He served there as a pastor of the Free Evangelical Church as Michael is also an ordained minister with the Free Church of Scotland. He and his wife, Jenni lived for several years in Scotland, where Michael tutored in theology and completed his doctoral studies at the University of Edinburgh with a thesis on the Christology of Swiss theologian Adolf Schlatter. Michael is also an ordained minister with the Free Church of Scotland.
In early 2015, Michael and Jenni moved to Melbourne. Jenni serves as a paediatric nurse at the Royal Children’s Hospital, and Michael teaches theology and psychology at Melbourne School of Theology and Eastern College. He is responsible for setting up their new Centre for Theology and Psychology.
Michael has also published various works on Jonathan Edwards, Dutch Neo-Calvinism, and the relation between theology and culture.