The board of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) has appointed Dr Kate Power as their new General Secretary.
“We are delighted that Kate has accepted the role. She will bring energy and commitment, insight and skills to build the unity among our 18 national Church members”, said NCCA President, Rev John Gilmore.
“Kate is the current General Secretary with Queensland Churches Together (QCT) so already has a deep appreciation of the diversity of our churches and has contributed significantly to their ecumenical journey,” he said.
As NCCA’s first Queensland-based General Secretary, Kate brings a commitment to listening to and addressing the needs of all Australians – including those outside traditional power centres.
“I am excited for the opportunity to work with Christian leaders of ‘all flavours’ to see Jesus’ prayer (John 17:20-26) realised: that we may all be one with him and with God the Father, so that the world may believe and know God’s love and peace for all people”, she said.
“We welcome Kate and wish her every grace and blessing as she takes on this ministry of leadership”, said Rev Gilmore.
Dr Kate Power comes to the role of NCCA General Secretary with a PhD in religious communication (Lancaster University, UK), a Master’s in Christian Studies (Regent College, Canada) and the AICD Company Director’s Course. She has worked with diverse Christian traditions over many years in Australia and Canada and worships at Holy Spirit Anglican Church, Kenmore, Brisbane.
Most recently, as General Secretary with Queensland Churches Together (QCT) since early 2025, she strengthened QCT’s connection with regional Queensland. She established QCT’s new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Reference Group. She developed new Domestic and Family Violence resources in multiple languages; and served on the Executive Committees of Queensland Disaster Chaplaincy Network and Queensland Faith Communities Council.
Previously, Kate was an award-winning lecturer and researcher in Canada (University of British Columbia) and Australia (University of Queensland) and helped migrant and refugee communities manage government-funded settlement and community development programs in Sydney. An avid dog lover and film buff, Kate lives in leafy Chapel Hill (QLD) with her husband, Jared, their young adult daughter, their dog and three chickens!