For Angela Prentice, her journey into vocational ministry has been shaped by a strong desire to be well-trained for gospel work. Starting with involvement in the RMIT Christian Union, she progressed through a ministry apprenticeship to gain practical experience. Now in a full-time role at Laneway Church, Angela invests in training others, mentoring apprentices and team leaders to help raise up the next generation of faithful gospel workers.
Challenged by how to spend life on earth
Angela grew up going to church in a Christian family, but it wasn’t until late high school and university—during a rough season when her dad was seriously ill and then passed away—that she really started to wrestle with what it meant to truly follow Jesus. Her dad’s deep trust in God left a strong impression on her, and she realised she wanted that same assurance in her own life.
While studying business management at RMIT, Angela got involved with the Christian Union. It was through serving and leading there that she felt a growing conviction that ministry was where she belonged. She realised she wanted to invest her life in something of eternal value—helping others know Jesus. So, as she finished university, Angela decided to dive straight into a ministry apprenticeship at RMIT from 2017 to 2019, with Rachel McConchie as her trainer.
Angela describes her apprenticeship as an invaluable season of learning and growth. She appreciated meeting with Rachel weekly, being observed in ministry, and being given honest feedback tailored to her development.
“Rachel, along with Steve Williams and the rest of the team, would get alongside me, see me in action, and then review what I’d done,” she explains. This ongoing support helped her identify areas to improve and gave her practical opportunities to grow.
Angela reflects that without this experience, she likely would still be figuring out what ministry looks like in practice, and it would have taken many more years to become as effective as she is now. The apprenticeship gave her a solid foundation to serve confidently and fruitfully in full-time ministry.
After completing her apprenticeship, Angela pursued further theological training at the Reformed Theological College (RTC) in Melbourne, choosing to undertake an advanced diploma part-time over two years while also working part-time with the Christian Union at RMIT.
A philosophy to help people love Jesus and grow in Him
At the start of 2024, after serving full-time for a season with CU, Angela transitioned into a full-time role at Laneway Church, an FIEC church in Footscray, Melbourne.
Having been part of the Laneway Church community since its launch in 2016, she was familiar with its culture and leadership. When the associate pastor position became available, Angela applied and was appointed, marking the beginning of her full-time ministry role.
“During my apprenticeship, it really formed my ministry philosophy and my understanding of what gospel work looks like and what it means,” Angela shares. “I think it’s really just about helping people know Jesus and love him and grow in him. And that was definitely something that I was so keen to do for the rest of my life.”
In her role at Laneway Church, Angela leads the membership and ministry areas, focusing on helping people join the church and become active members. Her responsibilities also include co-training a female apprentice, Cindy, who joined the church a few years ago.
“While being trained as an apprentice, I saw that training was really important,” Angela explains.
Angela and senior pastor Josh Allen collaborate in Cindy’s training, with Josh focusing on ministry skills and Angela mentoring Cindy in areas of godliness, character, and one-to-one Bible reading.
Angela explains, “I really want to help her in growing as a disciple of Jesus… focusing on talking about sin, ways she can grow in her godliness, prayer, reading the Bible, and her personal relationship with Jesus above all else.”
Angela draws inspiration from 1 Timothy, noting that many of the qualifications for overseers are character traits.
“If she’s not loving people or not growing in her godliness, at the end of the day, no matter how well she performs, without love, we are nothing,” Angela says.
Reflecting on her journey, Angela encourages others considering an apprenticeship or training their first apprentice.
For trainers, she says, “If you’ve had ministry experience and people have taken you under their wing, we want to share that… to see others being raised up as well.”
For potential apprentices, Angela suggests, “Just give it a go… even if you don’t know what it could lead to, you’re still being equipped to serve God’s people for the rest of your life.”
Angela’s story shows the transformative impact of ministry apprenticeships, illustrating how foundational training can lead to effective and faithful service in the church.