Kent Kingston
Record InFocus producer and host, assistant editor
What do you like to do when you're not at work?
Read travel books, paddle a kayak on Lake Macquarie, spend time with my family and friends. Try to get healthy and walk the dogs.
This is the longest time you’ve every spent at any job. Why? I really appreciate the leadership (the people and style): they’re very empowering, letting me take ownership and be innovative and try different ideas. I also appreciate the opportunity to have influence across the whole South Pacific Division and beyond. It’s a bit of a buzz. The team are friendly, positive, encouraging and bring a sense of fun. We sometimes agree to disagree. No-one takes it personally or if they do they don’t complain to me about it. Working in this part of the Church we get to link with key people and everyday people. It's inspiring, challenging and builds my faith.
What are your dreams?
I’d like to be healthier by my 40th birthday than I was at my 30th. I’ve only got five months to go! I have an outrageous dream of travelling around the world without using an aeroplane.
James Standish
Editor and communication director, Public affairs and Religious liberty liaison
What are your favourite sports?
Cricket and American football. They are both so strategic. I used to love playing cricket in the backyard with my brother, who thought he was Denis Lillie. I've been hit pretty much everywhere with a cricket ball.American football is like chess, ballet and brute strength all wrapped up in one.
What do you consider your greatest career achievement?
Following where God led rather than staying in the gilded cage of the corporate law firm; it's meant an awful lot less cash and a far richer life.
Adventist Record readers hear lots of your stories through your editorials but what is one thing they don't know about you?
I love hot spicy Thai noodles for breakfast. That kicks off the morning right! What can I say? I'm a missionary kid . . .
You're always entering the office singing. If you could pick one song to describe working at Record, what would it be and why?
It's a Beautiful Day. That's what I feel like most days working with our team. Stop rolling your eyes—it's true! Of course there is the odd day when I say to myself, in the immortal words of the Smiths, Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now. But it's a genuine rarity. Generally, I'm Happy. And profoundly grateful to God, to the leaders who invited me to join the team (Barry, Chester, Neale) and to my colleagues, each of whom is a genuine All Star.
Linden Chuang
Adventist Record assistant editor—digital
What’s your favourite aspect of working at Adventist Record?
Mixing faith and fun at work.
It's well known that you love animals and even keep a couple of reptiles. If you could keep any animal, what would it be?
While I wouldn’t “keep” one necessarily, I’d love to have a killer whale as a mate—sort of Free Willy style.
What biblical story would you like to see made into a movie?
It’s not so much a Bible story per se, but I’d love to see a movie based in heaven. I often wonder how God and the angels react to things that happen here on earth. What would the scene in heaven have been like when Christ was born, or when he was crucified? The Bible says there is much rejoicing in heaven when a sinner repents—what does that look like? I think Jonah’s story would also make for a good movie.
You're working a lot with the Record website. What would you most like to see Record achieve online?
To be a major online resource/hub filled with inspiring stories, the latest Adventist news, health and lifestyle tips. Kind of what we are doing now but bigger and better. A place people visit to learn and grow in their faith.
Theodora Amuimuia
Sales and marketing, InFocus make-up and autocue
What's the favourite part of your job here?
I like InFocus on Monday mornings, helping guests with hair and make-up. I also enjoy the part that's not really my job—graphic design. My role has allowed me to learn heaps more about design and I'm enjoying it.
Given that your favourite movie is The Sound of Music, what are a few of your favourite things?
Girls in white dresses, blue satin sashes! Hahaha, I don’t know I like a lot of things. I like playing tennis, watching movies, eating good food.
Without being biased, what is the most beautiful part of this Division?
Far North Queensland: there is everything— beaches, islands, Great Barrier Reef, rainforests, let's not forget mangos. Oh, am I supposed to say Samoa?
I said without being biased! Some people say that you're really the boss around here. You seem to know where everything is kept and what needs to be done. Is it true?
Of course! (laughs).
Vania Chew
PR and communication assistant
You are the newest member of the team. What is your role?
Anything James asks me to do. Focusing on public relations, monitoring people's perspectives on the Adventist Church, crisis management, keeping Dora entertained.
What's your favourite thing to do on a Sunday arvo?
Reading or if it's nice weather, the beach.
A talent Adventist Record readers wouldn’t know you had?
I speak Greek.
What's it like working for the Church?
Working in an Adventist environment is nice. All of my schooling and work has been outside the Church. It's just completely different. At my old job everyone was quite anti-God. They were quite disparaging when talk about God came up.
If you could give an issue of Record to anyone, who would it be to and why?
I would give the Christmas issue of Record with Linden and Bri to the homeless guy I met in Pitt St, Sydney, when I was in uni. He said he didn’t believe in love.
Jarrod Stackelroth
Associate editor, InFocus floor manager
What keeps you busy outside of work?
I love to read and play basketball. I lead the drama team at my church, which means writing a script once a month, practising and performing. That's fun. Cell groups, cooking and exercise keep me busy! Have to get my 10,000 steps a day!
If you could, what would you tell yourself 10 years ago?
Don’t worry about the future. Just follow God’s leading, do your best and enjoy life. And watch out for beautiful Samoan netballers.
Is that watch out good or watch out bad?
No comment. (laughs) I have to say good.
What do you enjoy most about working at Adventist Record?
I enjoy the opportunity to bring people's stories to life. God is doing amazing things in so many lives around us and it's great to be able to use Record to tell those stories and hopefully inspire and encourage people while giving glory to God.
Tracey Bridcutt
Copyeditor
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Three beautiful children.
What do you enjoy about working at Adventist Record?
The morning teas (we had one this morning), the people, it’s a great team environment and being part of the Church's work in the South Pacific.
You also work at a mainstream news publication. What stands out to you as special from your years in journalism?
I’ve interviewed people from all walks of life, from celebrities, politicians, people celebrating achievements, births and anniversaries, to those who are suffering hardships, the terminally ill and the homeless. It really gives you a perspective on life. My main interest is helping others by writing stories that encourage people to take up campaigns and support worthy causes like sick children, charity projects, emergency and disaster situations.
From all these interviews, what have you learnt about people?
I have learnt that there are some amazing people out there who are very passionate and willing to give up everything in order to help others. I find that really inspirational. There are so many volunteers—Christian and non-Christian—willing to sacrifice time and money for a good cause.
What are your interests outside of work?
Bushwalking, going to the beach, reading, watching movies.
If you could create your own ice-cream flavour what would it be?
It would have to involve chocolate. Chocolate with raspberry chunks!
