Citywide employs a small staff team and is further supported by a fantastic group of volunteer ministry leaders and their respective teams.
Matt Garvin – Senior Pastor
As the son of the founder of the Evangelical Christian mission movement, Fusion, I grew up amongst people who had given their lives for the sake of the Gospel.
I began working with Fusion myself in 1992 after completing a broadcast journalism cadetship in the Australian outback city of Broken Hill.
I married Leeanne early on in my time with Fusion, and we served together for over 20 years in both Tasmania and Victoria and also in Fusion’s international leadership.
In 2012 we moved with our four kids (Madeline, Joshua, Daniel and Sophie) to Edmonton, Canada where I completed a Master of Theological Studies degree and served, from August 2013 to June 2017, as the Pastor for Community Engagement and Mission at St Albert Alliance Church.
We came back to Australia in July 2017 after accepting the role of Senior Pastor of Citywide.
My hope for our church is that each and every one of us would find the unique story that God has for them in the context of genuine fellowship.
I have written two books: Faith Reflections and 6 Radical Decisions and have a blog: ‘Faith Reflections‘
Dan Evenhuis – Executive Pastor
Dan grew up in Smithton, Tasmania. He worked as a maths and science teacher in Smithton and Poatina before he and his wife Danni felt the call to the UK in 2004 to establish a Christian Youth and Community Work. Dan was the lead youth worker, church liaison, youth & community work trainer and administrator.
During Dan’s career he has assisted in the management of a tertiary college, managed the computer systems for two schools, a radio station, two national charities, a software development company and Head of IT for Open Doors UK and Ireland.
In 2014, with a small team, Dan planted and led Wheatley Community Church in Oxfordshire. After 10 years of children’s and youth work and community events, and with the blessing of the local churches, they decided to establish a less traditional, evangelistic church as a spiritual home to this ministry.
In 2021 Dan and Danni felt that their time in the UK was coming to a close. By January 2022 they had moved back to Tasmania. Danni teaches at Calvin Christian School and Dan feels especially called to strengthen local churches and encourage genuine faith and service. Dan has experience in many parts of church life including worship leading, youth and children’s work, administration and outreach.
Dan and Danni have 4 children (Simeon, Anya, Josiah and Bridie). His hobbies include technology, music, video production, photography and getting outdoors.
Paul Rai – Pastor, Hobart Nepali Church
I was born in Bhutan then went to Nepal in 1992. I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal saviour in 2003 and was baptised in 2004. In same year I felt called to God’s ministry. The words of Ephesians 4:12 inspired me to go on and study a Bachelor of Theology. I completed my degree in South India and went on to work as an evangelist. I worked as a Pastor in Nepal for 3 years before coming to Hobart in 2010. Since then I have worked as Pastor of Citywide’s Nepali congregation.