Born in South Sudan, he lived and studied in Egypt before moving to Melbourne to pursue a career with the church.
Rev Kwajakwan has been on a path to Benalla for some time, first visiting the Rose City in 2015 when he came on a trip, with the church, with the idea that he could become the minister here in the future.
“I was still studying, and as part of that we were exposed to rural services and rural ministries. So we came to Benalla, and also Wodonga,” he said.
In the interim, Rev Kwajakwan continued his studies and awaited an opportunity to be paired with a church that had needs that met his skill set.
“As a nation of Uniting Churches, there’s something we call a placement,” he said.
“Placement is where the congregation calls the minister, and there is an exchange of profiles.
“The congregation send that to the synod, which is part of the hierarchy of the church.
“You have the congregation, the presbytery, then the synod. We are all equal, but that is the order.
“Above that, we have the Uniting Church National Assembly.”
Rev Kwajakwan said once both parties decided they were a good fit, they went into what the church called conversations.
“Those are led by the joint nominating committee,” he said.
“And they are about making sure we are a good fit for each other.”
Normally, there would be three ‘conversations’, but in Rev Kwajakwan’s case they needed only two to discover they had the right man for the job.
In addition to being a man of the world, Rev Kwajakwan is a family man, with five children.
“My youngest is 22,” Rev Kwajakwan said.
“My wife is also still in Melbourne to be close to him.”
Rev Kwajakwan said part of joining the Benalla Uniting Church was that his wife would come to Benalla as well.
However, she is staying in Melbourne initially until she can ensure she can find work locally.
While he awaits his wife, Rev Kwajakwan has big plans for the Uniting Church in Benalla.
And it’s not just Benalla, with Rev Kwajakwan also the minister for Swanpool, Goorambat and Devenish.
“The first thing I did in Benalla was get the church organised,” he said.
“There weren’t many committees, there wasn’t a pastoral committee, and what we call a worship committee.
“So I organised that in my first month.”
There is still work to do, but Rev Kwajakwan said he had been enjoying it, particularly when it came to Swanpool, Goorambat and Devenish.
“Going out there and seeing the bush reminds me of where I was born. It brings back happy memories,” he said.
And he has plans to work with other religious leaders in town, with an idea to hold a big Easter celebration on the banks of Lake Benalla on April 20.
While he is still discussing that idea with other churches, he said he planned to hold an event there regardless — and was looking forward to seeing the community there.
Rev Kwajakwan has already welcomed new members to the congregation in his time in Benalla, and wants the community to know they are always welcome.
“I’ve ordered a big notice board to let people know what we are doing here throughout the year,” he said.
“But also, the church is always open, so if anyone wants to come in, we welcome them.”
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