“After 14 years of faithful service to God through the ministry of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) Wendy Francis has made the decision to retire,” announced ACL Chief Executive Michelle Pearse.
The tireless campaigner for Christian values in Australia who is affectionately known as ‘Aunty Wendy’ will step down from the organisation where she is currently the National Director of Politics, at the end of next month.
Ms. Pearse declared that “Australian Christians owe Wendy a great debt of gratitude for facing persecution, threats, and ridicule to defend the vulnerable while displaying incredible perseverance, fortitude, and unwavering commitment to the cause. She is authentic, passionate, an incredibly dedicated worker, and filled with grace.”
The ACL head described her as a much loved team member, held in high esteem by politicians and leaders across the nation. “Australia would be a worse place if it wasn’t for Wendy Francis and the impact that she’s had. I’ve heard first-hand just what politicians say about Wendy. And just even in the past few weeks in gatherings that I’ve been a part of, high profile ministers have actually said of Wendy that she’s had huge impact upon their area of public policy. And it’s not just through her intelligence, but it’s through the authentic relationships that she’s developed with the politicians.”
“She certainly displays Timothy’s exhortation to us in Galatians “Let us never grow weary in doing what is right, for if we do not give up, we will reap our harvest in due time.”
“I know that Wendy’s journey in serving Jesus is far from over. She has so much still to give and I’m excited to see where God will take her next,” Michelle Pearse added.
Wendy Francis explained the reasons for her departure: “Retiring is going to give me more time to spend with my grandchildren and also with my husband. This is why I’m doing it, but I won’t be retiring from being busy. I’m sure I’ll be volunteering with the ACL though, because I love it so much. I’ll also have time to pursue the passions that God’s placed on my heart that I have been able to work through with the ACL, but it’ll be at a more relaxed pace.”
The ACL is also losing another senior executive. Director of Policy and Research Christopher Brohier is leaving at the end of this month to run as South Australia’s Family First candidate for the Senate in the federal election due by September 27 next year..
He admitted to Vision Radio that he’s a bit nervous because he’s never run for politics before. “I’m looking forward to it, particularly since Lyle Shelton became the national director of Family First. I think we need a policy-based, truth-influenced party on the right side of politics, advancing the cause of families. One Nation has done a very good job with lots of credit to Pauline Hanson, but the party is more centred around Pauline. We need a policy-based party to counteract the Greens. And so that’s the long term vision of this party (Family First).”
Mr. Brohier has been with the ACL for ten years.
Image: Screenshot from Australian Christian Lobby video.
