Our people

Tony Payne began work as Matthias Media’s first editor in 1988. Since then, Tony has accomplished a great deal: with his wife, Alison, he has grown a family of five children; he has completed a degree in theology at Moore Theological College; and he has written or co-written numerous ministry resources, and edited many others. Tony’s main responsibilities are to oversee everything we publish (including The Briefing), and to get as much writing done as possible.

Ian Carmichael, Business Growth Director

Ian has also been with Matthias Media from the very beginning (1988). For most of the last 20 years, he has taken responsibility for the business, logistics and financial aspects of the organization. His role now focuses particularly on growing Matthias Media as a business, through overseeing sales and marketing, and expansion into new areas. Ian and his wife, Stephanie, have two children.

Liza Tan, Operations Manager

Liza joined Matthias Media in 2008 to relieve Ian of a range of direct operational responsibilities. She manages the operations and finance side side of the business: stock management, logistics, customer service, administration and finance. Liza works four days a week for Matthias Media—on the other day she runs a kids’ ministry at her local church, St Mark’s Malabar.

Marty Sweeney, Director of Ministry, Matthias Media USA

Marty started Matthias Media USA in September 2006. Prior to that, he worked as a youth pastor and pastor at various churches. Marty studied finance at college and theology at seminary. Marty and his wife Abby live in a rural town in western Pennsylvania along with their children Claire, Malachi and Corinne, and two dogs, Kiko and Nellie.

Paul Grimmond, Briefing and Resources Editor

Before joining Matthias Media in 2008, Paul ministered as the senior pastor of Unichurch (UNSW) and the Chaplain to the University of New South Wales. Paul’s main responsibilities are to drive the editorial content of The Briefing, to co-ordinate our blog (the Sola Panel), and to write new resources. Paul is married to Cathy, and has three young children.

John Sammut, Sales Representative

John is enthusiastic and excited about helping any Christians to grow and share the gospel, which is another way of saying that he looks for and takes any opportunity he can find to persuade people to use Matthias Media resources. John’s responsibilities include visiting pastors to talk about how Matthias Media can help in their ministries. He is married to Kathy and they have three sons.

Emma Thornett, Production Coordinator

Emma is the organizational hub of the Publishing Department. She manages all aspects of the production schedule, does some editing, and assists Tony in his day-to-day administration. Emma loves cats and is, according to her work mates, ‘frighteningly efficient’.

Karen Beilharz, Staff Editor (The Briefing)

Karen joined Matthias Media at the beginning of 2005. She edits pretty much anything that’s put in front of her, and takes particular responsibility for managing the daily operations of The Briefing (including looking after its website). Karen is married to Ben, who never ceases to amuse her.

Jessica Green, Graphic Designer

Jessica joined the Matthias Media team in early 2007 with a mission to (in her words) “make things pretty”. She actually has proper qualifications in ‘making things pretty’ (B. Design) and she gets to do it for a living. Jessica thrives on plenty of snacks, constant iTunes, and regular doses of AustenBlog.

Warren Doyle, Customer Service

Warren is responsible for the smooth and efficient running of our Customer Service Department. This involves answering customer calls, processing and dispatching orders and regulating the stock in our warehouse.

Guy Betbeder-Matibet, Customer Service

Order a resource, and there’s every chance it will be packed and dispatched by Guy. He’s been sending out your orders since November 2002. He is married to Samantha, and enjoys fishing, playing board games and watching all sorts of sports on TV.

Anna Cole, Customer Service

Anna joined the Matthias Media team in June 2002, and her cheery voice is the one you’re most likely to hear when you call us. Her role includes answering customer enquiries, advising about which resources are best for which needs, and processing orders. She also ensures that Briefing subscriptions are kept up-to-date.

Wendy Stepkovitch, Bookkeeper/Financial Administrative Assistant

After 26 years working in a physiotherapy practice, Wendy was looking for a change! Wendy joined the team at Matthias Media in June 2008, and is revelling in finding her way around Apple Macs, providing assistance to the Operations Manager, and making sure that everyone (staff and suppliers) receive their just reward for the work they do (i.e. get paid). Wendy and her husband Nick have three children.

Joy Lankshear, Graphic Designer

Whilst not strictly an employee of Matthias Media, Joy does so much of our design work she might as well be. (In fact she once was!) Together with her husband Dave, she is one of Australia’s top designers, yet spends much of her time on Christian projects. For more evidence of her skill, check out her web site.

The Board of Directors

The ‘faceless men and women’ that oversee all that we do, and keep us on the straight and narrow as an organization.