Board Members

Mark Edwards

Mark Edwards is the Senior Minister of Ipswich Region Community Church, a vibrant and significant church in the City of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia.

Mark completed his secondary school education in 1976 and undertook a Bachelor of Laws degree at the Queensland University of Technology.  After completing that degree he practiced as a Solicitor, firstly in a local Ipswich firm and then specializing in Criminal Law Advocacy with Queensland Legal Aid Commission. After completing a period of time with the Commission he then went into private practice in his own right between 1985 and 1991 and established a large and very well respected private practice within the Ipswich area.

Mark was born and bred in Ipswich and his family has significant links to the Ipswich region. He is passionate in what he believes and this is evidenced by the fact that in 1991 he sensed strongly the call of God to ministry. Mark sold his private practice and commenced as the Senior Minister of his present church. Since beginning his ministry, he as seen it grow to a significant church in the Ipswich region.
He has held various positions in the community including:
Chairperson – Board of Advice, St Andrews Private Hospital, Ipswich
Chairperson – Ipswich and West Moreton Family Resource Centre
Committee Member – West Moreton Regional Ethics Committee
Chairperson – University of Queensland – Ipswich Campus Strategic Advisory Group
Board member – Christian Television Association

Mark completed a 2 year term as President of the Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was the first minister of religion in Australia to hold such a position and was recently made a life member of the Chamber.
Mark has a compelling vision to see the local church truly impact and transform its community. Mark is married to Gail, with four wonderful children, Nicholas, Hannah, Gabrielle and Eloise.

Craig Trapp

Craig Trapp is the Associate Pastor of Ipswich Region Community Church.  Craig, born & raised in Ipswich, is passionate about this city, it's people and it's potential.  Educated at Westside Christian College, Craig was an active member in the school & local community, being elected as Vice Captain in his senior year. University education included two years of architecture before entering full time ministry at Ipswich Region Community Church in 2001.  As a Pastor at Ipswich Region Community Church, Craig has held roles of significant responsibility including Youth Pastor, from 2001 - 2005, which involved public speaking, district youth alive coordinator, completion of certificate IV in Youth work and the management of many successful programs for young people.

In 2007, Carig became an elder and director of Ipswich Region Community Church and its companies.  As Associate Pastor, Craig oversees many ministry areas in the life of the church, including week-end services, operational management and pastoral responsibilities including teaching and preaching.  As a member of Australian Christian Churches District Executive, Craig also contributes to the greater purpose of building churches beyond his own.   

Tanya McKenna

Tanya McKenna completed Year 12 at Ipswich State High School in 1980. Tanya is a registered Teacher, with a Diploma of Teaching through Brisbane College of Advanced Education, a Graduate Diploma in Education (Curriculum) through Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane and a Certificate IV in assessment and workplace training from Bremer Institute of TAFE. Tanya has been employed by Education Queensland as a teacher since 1984 - this is the 21st of teaching at Ipswich State High School. During these many years Tanya has taught Home Economics and Mathematics. Over the past 19 years Tanya has specialised in teaching Human Relationships Education (which deals with topics such as decision making, self esteem, drugs and alcohol, relationships and sexuality). Tanya also co-ordinates Special Programs at Ipswich State High School which address relevant issues for teenagers via guest speakers and specialised short courses.  Tanya is currently on staff at Ipswich Region Community Church in a part-time capacity co-ordinating the areas of Pastoral Care, Life Groups and overseeing Lifekeys programs.

Elizabeth Dell

Elizabeth is a registered Psychologist, with a Bachelor’s degree in Arts (Psychology) through the University of Queensland, a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology from the University of Western Sydney and a Masters in Analytical Psychology also from the University of Western Sydney.  Elizabeth is an associate member of the Australian Psychological Society.  Elizabeth is a mother of three beautiful children and has been married to Simon for 16 years. Elizabeth has worked in both the private & public sectors, in NSW and QLD, with children and adolescents, in residential facilities, in Child and Youth Mental Health, in an adolescent drug and alcohol NGO empowering young people to overcome addictions as well as in juvenile detention.  Elizabeth is currently on staff in a part-time capacity as a Specialised Minister at Ipswich Region Community Church, leading the Abundant Life Initiative, in addition to working part-time in public sector Community Mental Health. 


•    The Board meets three  times annually, in  March, July & November.

Working Team members

Financial Support