our Team
Ps. Matthew & Lay chein Wong
Senior Pastor of Hope Melbourne & Overseer of Hope Frankston Centre
Matthew came to know the Lord in 1999, while studying Architecture in Melbourne University. One of his favourite verses is Hebrews 11:10 (NIV2011) “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Indeed God had planted a seed in his heart, a seed that linked faith and architectural together. Since then, Matthew has spearheaded two church building projects. He enjoys making things beautiful and finding solutions through design. In a similar sense, his passion is also about restoring people, helping them to see life beautiful again; and teaching them to find hope and strength through God’s design.
Matthew oversees Hope Notting Hill Centre and Hope Frankston Centre. He is married to Lay Chein. They have two children, Elizabeth and Micah. In his free time, Matthew likes to get his hands onto some DIY projects.
Ps. Ian & PS. Daisy Foley
Advisory Pastor
Ian first consciously trusted in Jesus when he was 10 years old. He did his secondary school in Geelong and supports the Geelong Cats. He studied science at Melbourne University and became a scientist specialising in Physics. He lectured in Computer Science in Canberra then Swinburne University until 2006. In 1999 he began leading Waverley Centre and became Senior Pastor over Hope Melbourne in 2006.
In line with his teaching anointing, he has a deep understanding of the word of God and a focus on rightly discerning truth to resolve difficult issues. He carries a deep burden to see unity of understanding as disunity caps revival. He has a strong interest in origins, the end times, God’s plan and purpose and areas of confused biblical teaching because they cause people to turn away from God. He carries a keen interest in prayer and the prophetic which underlies much of his ministry. He has written two books on the end times (The Time is Near 1 and 2) and is currently writing a third.
PS. dara & katherine chan
Centre Pastor, Hope City Centre
If there is one word you would use to describe Dara, it would be ‘faithful.’ And if you asked Dara what his one impression of God is, he would say ‘faithful.’ Indeed, God has been so faithful to Dara leading him back to Himself whilst studying engineering at RMIT University, supplying his every need throughout life, and blessing him with his wife Katherine and daughters Abigail and Evanna. Dara has been faithful to God’s call, taking on leadership roles in the student and working adult ministries, and now stepping up as the centre pastor of Hope Church City Centre, North Melbourne.
He is passionate about helping people know Jesus and realise their personal calling in God. As an engineer, and a bit of a science geek, he loves cosmology and sees God’s glory fully expressed through creation. Whenever he finds himself on a mountaintop gazing at the night sky, Psalm 19 comes to mind: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (ESV2016)
Anthony Gonzales
Centre Coordinator, Hope Heidelberg West Centre
Other than leading Hope Heidelberg West Centre, Anthony is a high school teacher who enjoys helping his students navigate two of the main difficulties of their life - mathematics and growing up! But beyond the school bell you’ll see him on the football pitch (the round ball kind), outside tending to his garden or inside the house doing his best to be a minimalist (it’s so hard!). His heart is to see God’s people grow in personal victory and maturity and to see God’s kingdom expressed as ‘community’ both within and beyond the church walls.
He has personal hopes of establishing his own small business A Team Youth (ateamyouth.com.au), a gathering aimed at helping local youth to develop resilience through exercise and outdoor activities. Anthony also has a keen interest in hearing God’s voice through movies and sharing these insights on his YouTube channel.
Ps. FREEDY & ANNA PRAJITNA
Assistant Pastor, Hope Notting Hill Centre
Freedy came to know Jesus in 2002 and actively served in student, praise and worship and children ministries in Hope Singapore. In 2009, he came to Melbourne and completed a business degree (accounting) at Monash University.
Having worked in the Automotive Finance industry for seven years and obtained CPA, Freedy transitioned to work full-time for Hope Melbourne in 2019, assisting Ps. Matthew in overseeing Notting Hill Centre.
Freedy is passionate about seeing people coming to know God as their personal Lord and Saviour, maturing as disciples of Christ, and being salt and light in the world.
Anna is a registered counsellor, focusing on children and families who have experienced intergenerational trauma, substance issues and open family court orders. Anna and Freedy are happily married with three children. As a family, they enjoy watching soccer, exploring nature and eating hot pot.