You can find out more about how they met, and how Big Kids’ Table came to be, over on the Our Story page.
Lauren Foster
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
BA Teaching (Outreach & Community Education), Dip Mental Health, Dip Alcohol & Other Drugs
Fav Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21
Coffee Order: Soy Chai Latte (with leaves…none of that powdered stuff!)
Lauren brings colour, energy, and authenticity wherever she goes she’s often described as the human version of the Gorman brand. Bright, bold, and full of life, you’ll usually hear her before you see her. And yes, she’s a morning person who doesn’t drink coffee, which leaves the rest of us wondering where all that energy comes from!
She lives in Melbourne with her wonderful husband Harry, their daughter Mia, and their much-loved puppy, Humphrey.
Lauren is qualified in teaching, social work, mental health, and alcohol and other drugs. Prior to starting her family in 2023, she spent six years as the Wellbeing Coordinator and a Secondary Teacher at a Christian College in Melbourne. She has developed and led comprehensive sex education programs tailored for Christian education settings and brings a wealth of experience to this space.
Lauren is deeply passionate about creating safe, honest spaces for young people to explore challenging topics and big questions. She believes strongly in the power of intergenerational discipleship and is driven by her love for Jesus and her commitment to others, it’s something you notice straight away.
Georgia Nicholas
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Cert Theology (currently completing), Cert Mental Health, Cert Responding to Client Needs
Fav Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11
Coffee Order: Soy Cap
Georgia can rival Lauren for volume, but coffee is a lifeline. She is not, in any way, a morning person. Georgia has an obsession with corduroy and indoor plants; and she has her own pup called Lenny (Leonard when he’s in trouble) and amazing husband, Matt.
Known for her warmth and honesty, Georgia creates a shame-free zone wherever she goes. Georgia is passionate about journeying with people through the valleys and peaks of life and wants to see a generation liberated, equipped and confident with sexuality, faith, and themselves.
Georgia has a decade of experience in church and non-profit youth ministry. She has qualifications in mental health and wellbeing support, a degree in graphic design and is due to complete another in theology. Georgia has also been a school chaplain in several government and Christian schools across Victoria.
Jesus really is her best friend.
They dream up our big picture projects and ensure Jesus is a part of it all.
Shannon Jarvis
Operations & Administration Coordinator
Diploma of Leadership and Management
Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology and Criminology
Fav Scripture: Philippians 1:6
Coffee Order: Almond Latte with one sugar
Bek Sutherland
Workshop Coordinator
Bachelor of Applied science Health Promotion, Graduate Diploma of Counselling,
Master of Creative Arts Therapy (currently completing)
Fav Scripture: Prov 3: 5-6, 2 Tim 1:7
Coffee Order: Almond Latte
Gail Utber
Business Administrator
BA Business (Human Resource Management)
Fav Scripture: Psalm 71:19-21
Coffee Order: Almond Cap (extra hot)
With 18 years of experience in the workforce, Gail brings depth, compassion, and a heart for people into every space she enters. Though she did not grow up in a Christian household, she has been saved by grace and walking with Christ for the past 23 years. Her passion for God’s Word fuels a desire to encourage others and walk alongside them in truth and love.
She is especially drawn to supporting wellbeing and advocating for the vulnerable, and she values creating open, safe, and vulnerable spaces where people feel seen, heard, and free to share. Whether in ministry or day-to-day life, her purpose is to help others — both practically and in pointing them to the hope and healing found in Christ.
Outside of work, she finds joy in hiking, studying, strength training, reading, cooking, and walking in nature — where she often reflects on God’s creativity and presence. Her heart for people, love for Jesus, and passion for creating safe, honest spaces for others to explore identity and faith align beautifully with the mission of BKT.
Joel Maccartney
Workshop Presenter
Certificate IV of Christian Ministry and Theology, Bachelor of Ministry
Fav Scripture: Joshua 1:9
Coffee Order: Hot Chocolate
Joel is all about having fun. He brings a lightness and joy to every space he enters, always on the lookout for a reason to laugh, connect, or celebrate the small things. His ever-present smile is a signature, though it occasionally disappears when Brisbane loses (understandably).
Joel’s life is shaped by three great loves: sport, people, and Jesus. Whether he’s playing footy, cheering from the sidelines, grabbing a coffee with a mate, or leading a youth group, he’s always doing at least one of those things, often two, and on the best days, all three come together in perfect harmony.
He is currently completing a Bachelor of Ministry and has spent the past six years serving in various ministry roles across churches, schools, and community spaces. Joel has a deep passion for connecting with young people, creating safe, vibrant environments where they can explore faith, ask big questions, and encounter the love of Jesus in real and relatable ways.
Joel brings energy, approachability, and a big heart to everything he does. He’s the kind of person who remembers your name, your story, and your favourite sport – and he’ll probably beat you at it too (in the most humble way possible, of course).
They ensure we are doing what we love with the utmost compliance, excellence, and strategic oversight.
Ann-maree Butler
Chairperson
Fav Scripture: Psalm 139
Coffee Order: Regular Latte- or Regular Cap (if i need the choc on top!)
Casssandra Minett
Interim Secretary
Fav Scripture: Currently Exodus 20:16 and Luke 9:23
Coffee Order: Sticky chai please – all spices, black tea and a bit of honey!
Cassandra, or Cass, is an aspiring morning person with a dragons-worth of books. She and her husband James live with an energetic velvet dog called Digby (hello C.S Lewis fans) in a small 1950s home on the green outer edge of Melbourne.
Professionally, Cass serves the education sector and not-for-profits as a lawyer and company officer. As a volunteer, Cass is dedicated to children’s programs and content designed to help our young people break the surface and discover the beautiful depth and excitement of God and the Gospel. The work and ministry of BKT and the heart of its founders deeply excites her.
Cass believes that most of what’s important in life is in some way connected to education and connection, and seeks to support individuals and initiatives intent on meaningfully building up their communities.
Catlin Sayers
Secretary
Fav Scripture: Micah 6:8
Coffee Order: Hazelnut Lactose Free Latte
Catlin brings over a decade of experience in strategic fundraising and nonprofit leadership, with a career spanning organisations like World Vision Australia and Destiny Rescue.
She has a strong track record in building donor relationships and developing campaigns that fuel mission impact.
Alongside her professional work, Catlin has served in women’s ministry and pastoral leadership, where she’s passionate about equipping others in their faith and purpose.
As Board Secretary, she combines her administrative strengths with a heart for the Church and a deep commitment to seeing lives transformed.
They are behind our brand, social media, and resources. We love them, a lot.
These guys facilitate and coordinate our ministry and school events and they do it well!
Jay Harris
Youth Voice Coordinator & Workshop Presenter
Dip Leadership (Chaplaincy Major), Cert IV Real Estate (Currently Completing)
Fav Scripture: Proverbs 27:19
Coffee Order: Strong Soy Cap
Jay is like a human Swiss army knife, he’s always got something new and fun to do and seems to literally enjoy doing everything. When he’s not presenting in workshops he could be snowboarding, surfing, DJing, cutting hair as a barber, playing guitar, having a hit of golf or running marathons!
Jay completed bible college with Youth Alive Academy (with the chaplaincy specialisation) in 2022, and got his Diploma of leadership through Alphacrucis University.
Jay is incredibly well connected, and having spent his whole life in the church as a pastors kid he has seen the ins and outs of ministry. He’s always volunteering in some sort of ministry, whether it’s his local youth group, Red Frogs, CYC camps or missions trips, he loves it all!
Jay is a very passionate person, but he’s most passionate about God, and sharing Gods love and joy with everyone around him. He loves all we do here at BKT and wants all young people to know their true value and identity, and be equipped to share that truth with their peers.
Silas Hummel
Discipleship Coordinator & Workshop Presenter
2020 Graduation Torchbearer Bible School, Evangelism Bootcamp Christ for all Nations
Fav Scripture: John 1: 1-5
Coffee Order: Almond Latte
From Germany, Silas is used going as fast as possible on the autobahn, but he has found that the laid back Aussie way is something he can stick around for (as long as his wife, Chloe, is there to explain Aussie slang when needed!). However, he misses a good pretzel or schnitzel and still says ‘G‘day mate‘ like a German.
Silas is an all or nothing type of guy. If he is not talking to someone about Jesus, he is reading, spending time with his wife or drinking coffee.
He studied Engineering for a while but God showed him a different place to be. He was trained at Christ for all Nations where he got to go to Africa to preach the Good News of Jesus to thousands and seeing miracles as you hear in the bible.
Having served in youth ministry, Silas is passionate seeing young people finding their identity in God.
Get in touch below!
