Don Purdey

Don Purdey had a life-long passion for music and worship. A self-taught guitarist, he won awards as a child performer and later on the ABC TV talent show, Quest. An after-hours career as a singer became the training ground and springboard for his passion for worship leading, and he led bands in many churches over three decades. He also wrote many worship songs, including one chosen for a national youth conference. Before entering the ministry he worked as secretary of Australia’s counter-terrorism coordination committee in Canberra. Following God’s call into ordained ministry, he moved to Adelaide in 1994 with his wife and young family to study a Bachelor of Ministry. His ministry was marked by encouraging others and sharing his faith in God through his leadership, preaching, and worship leading. He also wrote a series of articles, published in a national church magazine, ACC Catalyst. In retirement Don turned his writing skills in a new direction, earning a Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing. While he also had a fictional work published, Don’t Fret: The Worship Leader’s Pocketbook resulted from material he formulated during his ministry over many years. Don retired early due to Motor Neurone Disease, which caused progressive loss of his speech and singing voice. Yet, a new and powerful phase of his ministry emerged as people now listened more carefully. It was not only because they had to (as Don was losing his speech) but because they appreciated his faith-giving insights, humour and wisdom borne from trusting God through hardship. In the latter months Don communicated through a speech program (on his iPad) or by writing, and he continued to live courageously, adapting to reduced physical abilities and drawing even closer to God. In July 2014 Don went to be with the Lord, he died suddenly whilst picking a rose. He had been making the finishing touches to Don’t Fret on that day. Don is survived by his wife Annette, 5 adult children, their spouses and at last count 19 grandchildren!