NEW HOPE CARE
Our Team
MATT PRATER
Senior Pastor - New Hope Church Brisbane
Matt is driven to and loves serving with New Hope Care because of the great need in our city, believing everyone in the community plays a role and needs to be reaching out and caring for those doing it tough. Matt’s been a Senior Pastor for 18 years at New Hope Church, and was a Youth Pastor for 10 years before that. Originally a Pastor from Coffs Harbour Baptist and C3 churches, Matt now regularly hosts shows on Vision Christian Radio to continue to spread the word and touch the hearts of those in Brisbane and beyond. The program reaches over 730 radio stations across Australia and Matt has further released two books reflecting on the 'Historymakers' radio segment, containing interviews with key guests. Matt is married to Carol and has 3 children, Lydia, Joshua & Grace and has been with New Hope Church since 2006. Matt's vision for NHC is for NHC to raise up an army of volunteers to meet the needs of those doing it tough in our city, and see our city transformed.
BRETT MCLEOD
Director - New Hope Care
Brett is driven by a desire to create a safe space for people who are navigating the devastating challenges of Homelessness, Domestic Violence, Mental Health Issues, Substance Abuse & Addiction to be both seen and heard within a supportive community where they can reclaim a sense of authentic worth and dignity that everyone deserves. Brett has 27 years founding and running a number of Australia-wide businesses alongside serving on several Ministry Boards and CEO of both Focus on the Family Australia and 96five Family Radio. Brett was born and raised in Melbourne and relocated to Brisbane in 1991 with his loving and supportive wife Karen - we have two married sons and six grandsons (with more possibly on the way!) Brett’s vision for New Hope Care is seeing lives continue to be transformed by meeting practical needs along with prayer and spiritual support. We also want to position ourselves to better assist long-term unemployed individuals with a "Job Ready" Program along with free legal advice and health care plans to support their journey back to wholeness and recovery.
RACHAEL BROWN
Operations - New Hope Care
Rachael has over 17 year’s leadership experience in some of the biggest names in Face to Face charity fundraising and fashion retail, as well as over 13 years in supervisory roles in various client and customer- based workforces. She has built a record of success through effective management and administration employed over a local, state and national level. Rachael is a compassionate and driven individual with a great care for people, and has actively impacted the local community through running support programs and fundraisers in her personal time, attending aid trips and helping local charities support orphanages and provide food and education programs. Rachael’s vision for New Hope Care is for individuals to be restored to a place where everyone knows they are valued, have an opportunity to find their purpose and have a safe community in which they can belong.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
OSCAR MICARI
Community Outreach Pastor
Oscar is driven by a passion for and calling to serve through feeding and clothing the poor and transforming the lives of individuals to be one of worth, spiritual fulfilment, and dignity. Oscar helped to pioneer and co-found the King Table initiative for New Hope Care in Brisbane. Oscar partners with churches and aid organisations that have a holistic approach that empowers those in need to help themselves. Oscar has conducted his work over many decades working as a humanitarian aid worker in local, national, and international fields including Brisbane, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Cambodia, Albania, and Israel. Oscar is a professional with over 40 years of service successfully advocating for the vulnerable and oppressed through working in the non-government sector, in needs-based service and international aid work, helping to empower and protect those in need to show Christ to the world and for the need for salvation. Oscar has a loving wife and adult children, some of whom he has adopted through the deep connections he’s made with communities and individuals across the globe. Oscar wishes to see the continued transformation in all the individuals he interacts with, starting with feeding and clothing but extending to the human need for connection, community, dignity, and eternal life. He is gifted in bringing people together and providing inspiration for a better world.
CHRIS BOWMAN
Outreach & Pastoral Care
Chris grew up in Melbourne and served as an assistant to the Pastor at Glen Waverly before being called to Church planting in Sydney and Thailand in 1981. Chris is a career Missionary, having served in Thailand and China for a total of 36 years. Since coming back from China in 2016, Chris has been working with New Hope Care to see more lives transformed by the Power of Christ. Chris aims to help and support those affected in Brisbane that are suffering through homelessness, domestic violence, addiction and mental health issues.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
ADMIN TEAM
Grace O'Keefe
Executive and Admin Assistant
Grace joined New Hope Care in late 2023 with a background in administration, management, and community service, bringing compassion and support to some of the most vulnerable people within the community. At the core of Grace’s work is an unwavering dedication to make an impact on the lives that New Hope Care serves. Her vision for the charity is to see it stand as a pillar of comprehensive support in the city of Brisbane. Beyond addressing immediate needs, we will embark on a holistic approach that considers the entire journey of each individual we serve. From education and employment opportunities to mental/emotional health and community integration, New Hope Care will be a lifeline that empowers individuals to not only survive, but to thrive, on every front!