Rev John Hughes

Rev John Hughes moved to Pilgrim Uniting Church in 2022

Rev John Hughes was inducted along with Jennifer Hughes at Brougham Place on February 8th 2009. The following is a brief narration of John’s steps in faith and ministry:

“God has been ever-present in my life since my earliest memories. I grew up in the church, and as a small child I loved to play preacher, standing behind my grandmother’s piano bench. In my early teens, we lived close to the church and I went to the church office every day after school. It was then that I began having serious times of prayer, often knelling in the empty sanctuary.

By the time I left home and went to university, I was seriously contemplating whether God was calling me into ordained ministry. I spoke with the chaplain at my university and talked about what courses I should take in preparation. As I was living in the US and ministry degrees are at the Masters level, I began studying both Psychology and Spanish.

After finishing my University courses, I decided to work for a few years before attending seminary. Working as a youth minister was a first step towards fulfilling my sense of call. I found working in the church to be the most rewarding experience I had ever had and along the way I continually felt affirmed by both God and the Church in my sense of call.

I began seminary in August 2004, and it was there that I met my wife Jennifer, and together we moved to Adelaide for my Internship at Brougham Place UC. At the end of the year we returned to Dallas so I could complete my studies at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas.

Upon receiving a call from the Synod and Presbytery of South Australia , my wife Jennifer and I returned to Adelaide in January 2009. Joining the pilgrimage of the Uniting Church has been an important step in my faith journey. I continue to be inspired and uplifted by the Spirit that breathes in and through the UCA.”