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ian Schoonwater

Serving the NSW Police Force in the North West Metropolitan & Western Region

Ian Schoonwater

Senior Chaplain, NSW Police Force - Northwest Sydney Metropolitan Area & Western NSW Region

For enquiries about chaplaincy or any of our chaplains, contact Joseph Park at seniorchaplain@jerichoroad.org.au or on 0449 903 508.

Ian serves as a Senior Chaplain for the NSW Police Force in the North West Metropolitan area of Sydney and the Western NSW Region. 

 

Ian likes to bring in his dog when visiting stations.
"A lot of work in Police Chaplaincy is building relationships with police. It is amazing what a dog can do to open others up to talk."
Meet Ian

What led you to take on this role?

I have been a chaplain with Jericho Road for thirteen and a half years. I started working at Hornsby, Royal North Shore and RPA Hospitals, before moving onto the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. In 2014, I took on the role of coordinating the Jericho Road Chaplaincy team as the Senior Chaplain.

In 2016, I became an Honorary Chaplain at the local Police station. I have really enjoyed the opportunities this presented – being able to come alongside staff and listen to their stories and pain. When the Senior Chaplain position in the NSW Police Force was advertised in 2021, I was encouraged to apply. I saw it as a place where good work can happen and also an opportunity to ensure that quality chaplaincy can grow in the regions.

What’s it like serving in this context?

I am one of five senior chaplains, each of us responsible for different areas whilst working as a team, to ensure good quality chaplaincy is provided. I have oversight of around 30 honorary chaplains in my regions, which cover a fairly large area across the state.

Police encounter the best and worst in society. They are loved and hated and like every other person they need the gospel. Some are pretty jaded or cynical and have seen both the best and worst of the Church. They can be suspicious of the Church. My hope is that through my work,  I can be salt and light to them. They especially need quality pastoral care, their work has an impact on them personally and this can flow onto their families. I want to ensure they are well supported and have good chaplains who can support them in all of life.

Support Ian

Supporting our Chaplains with a regular donation enables them to share the Gospel in these important contexts.

Although Ian’s work is substantially funded by NSW Police, there are still costs for Jericho Road in supporting Ian’s position. Your financial partnership will support the chaplaincy team that supports Ian, and other emergency services chaplains. 

You can also subscribe to Ian’s prayer newsletter for regular updates about his work, as well as an opportunity to partner with him in prayer.

Sponsor Ian

STEP 1. To sponsor a Chaplain, visit the donation page, and indicate the purpose of donation as “Chaplaincy”.

STEP 2. On the drop down menu, please select which Chaplain you would like to support or whether you would donate to Chaplaincy as a whole. We will allocate your funds to that chaplain and add you to their supporter list to receive updates and prayer points.

Where Ian Serves
NSW Police Force
The NSW Police Force is the largest police force in Australia, employing 18,000 police that police an area of 801,600 square kilometres, and 8.2 million people.
Subscribe to Ian's Prayer Newsletter

When you subscribe to Ian’s Prayer Newsletter, you will receive regular updates from Ian about her work as well as prayer points – so you can partner with him in prayer. Become a partner and make a difference.

CONTACT US

Have a question about Chaplaincy?

Contact Joseph Park at seniorchaplain@jerichoroad.org.au or on 0449 903 508.

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Don’t forget: You can support Ian financially and with prayer by becoming a sponsor.

Sponsor Ian

STEP 1. To sponsor a Chaplain, visit the donation page, and indicate the purpose of donation as “Chaplaincy”.

STEP 2. On the drop down menu, please select which Chaplain you would like to support or whether you would donate to Chaplaincy as a whole. We will allocate your funds to that chaplain and add you to their supporter list to receive updates and prayer points.