Our Team
During The Bridge year, students are cared for by a dedicated team of experienced lecturers and pastoral care staff. While the program is run separately to the other courses at SMBC, the Bible lecturers are from SMBC enabling students to be greatly enriched by their vast academic, pastoral and life experience.
In addition, all participants meet approximately once a fortnight (for about an hour) with a more mature Christian mentor (men with men, and women with women). Ideally, this is someone who the student knows from their local church. If it’s difficult for students to find a mentor, The Bridge team will help find someone suitable, especially for those who come to us from other parts of Australia and the world.
Meet the team...
Ben Powell
Ben Powell
Ben completed his Master of Divinity at SMBC while he was serving as the Youth and Evening Congregation Pastor at St James Anglican Church, Turramurra. Having a passion to reach those with little access to the gospel, he moved to East Asia in 2009 and served with Pioneers, church planting among unreached people groups. The past few years has seen him serving alongside his wife, Beth, as field leaders in East Asia.
Having a conviction that Jesus is worthy of everything, a passion for the local and global church, a love for mentoring and discipleship, and a disposition for fun, he is excited to be leading the Bridge Team. Ben and Beth have two young children.
Taani Kruik
Taani Kruik
Taani has been serving on The Bridge team since the program began in 2015. She loves seeing God at work in the lives of the students, and is passionate to see them grow to know and love Him more through their time at The Bridge. Taani enjoys providing pastoral care for the students - particularly the girls - chatting to and praying with them, and sharing together the journey that they're on with God.
She loves running, going to the gym, and spending time with friends and family.
Andrew Koulyras
Andrew Koulyras
Prior to his full-time appointment as The Bridge Co-ordinator, Andrew worked professionally as a telecommunications consultant. He also has served in youth ministry for 15 years, served as a pastoral care worker for nine years, and was on several committees including Katoomba Christian Convention (KCC).
Andrew loves having a crack at anything that’s fun, or even a bit crazy. Coming from a Greek background, he loves cooking and eating barbeque lamb, Greek sweets, and a good coffee! He is passionate about seeing people grow in their love for God, and love for God’s people. Andrew is married to Voula and they have three adult children.
Julia Polkinghorne
Julia Polkinghorne
Julia studied at SMBC before joining The Bridge team in 2019. She is passionate about seeing the love of Jesus applied to 21st century lives and delights in sitting alongside people as they discover how amazing He is.
Earlier pursuits of Julia’s include full-time pastoral ministry, editing a rural newspaper, administrative roles and driving tractors.