Canon Peter Hayward has been appointed as the new Bishop of Wollongong.
50-year-old Mr Hayward is presently the rector of Beverley Hills with Kingsgrove and has had wide experience with church planting both here and overseas.
The Standing Committee of the Diocese overwhelmingly endorsed his appointment on Monday night.
Canon Hayward was born in Sydney but his family moved to Nowra when he was nine and he attended Bomaderry High School.
He is a graduate of the University of New South Wales in Civil Engineering, a four-year graduate of Moore College, and has also obtained his Master of Arts degree from the College. He was ordained in 1992.
Dr Jensen says, "Peter Hayward is a son of the Wollongong region and loves its people. He is seasoned church planter, having founded churches in Australia and in the United States. His experience in multi-cultural ministry, clergy training and in diocesan affairs means he can give spiritual and intellectual leadership for our Mission." "¨
After his ordination, as an assistant minister, Peter Hayward founded a church in the new housing area of Glenmore Park. In 1996 he moved to Spokane in the State of Washington in the USA and became the founding Rector of an independent Anglican congregation known as Christ the Redeemer.
Dr Jensen says, "His tenure of Beverley Hills has been marked by growth, imagination and enthusiasm as well as a profound understanding of the challenges facing ministry in modern Sydney. He has been very active as National Co coordinator in the MTS movement and in our own Department of Ministry Training and Development, serving on its Council."
The Archbishop cited the establishment of six new congregations in Mr Hayward's time at Beverley Hills - two in local schools (Beverly Hills Primary and Peakhurst South Primary), two in St Thomas' Kingsgrove (both Chinese), one at Beauty Point Retirement Resort, and a new multi-cultural ministry at St Bede's itself.
Canon Hayward is also a member of Standing Committee, as well as the Georges River Regional Council and has recently been elected to the St Andrew's Cathedral Chapter.
His consecration is expected to take place in April.
