In the early 1990s, Australia’s evangelical landscape was in need of a fresh vision. The church required leaders who could guide growing congregations, plant new ministries, and make a lasting impact on society. Yet, there was a shortage of leaders capable of meeting these challenges. This gap in leadership was the backdrop for the creation of Arrow Leadership Australia, led by Rev. Stephen Hale, Rev. Karl Faase, Rev. Peter Corney OAM, and many others.
The birth of Arrow Leadership Australia
In July 1994, the Lausanne Movement’s Australian committee held a conference in Melbourne for emerging Christian leaders. Led by Karl and Stephen, the event brought together 300 key leaders from across the nation. From this, the conviction grew that the church needed an ongoing training program to equip young leaders for long-term service in ministry.
After visiting the Arrow Leadership Program in North America run by Leighton Ford, Karl and Stephen returned in 1995 to establish Arrow Leadership Australia. Rev. Peter Corney was appointed the first director, with Rev. John Mallison as the Director of Mentoring and Rev. Stephen Hale as the first Board Chair. The program’s first cohort graduated in 1996 with Leighton Ford as the guest speaker.
Karl’s leadership
Karl has had a lasting influence on Christian leadership in Australia. A media presenter, speaker, and pastor, Karl served as the Senior Pastor of Gymea Baptist Church for nearly 20 years. He later founded Olive Tree Media, dedicated to producing high-quality Christian media content. Known for his Daily Nudge radio segments, Karl also continues to speak widely on faith and culture. He is married to Jane, who is Olive Tree Media’s Creative Director, and they have three adult children and six grandchildren.
Karl’s journey into ministry was shaped by his father’s dramatic conversion and his own early experiences in leadership. His commitment to raising the next generation of leaders was a driving force behind the creation of Arrow and him eventually becoming the Director in 2002.
The vision behind Arrow
The idea for Arrow arose from the question: Who would lead the church in 20 years? The vision was not just to identify successful leaders, but to find those with the potential to be transformative. The program sought to equip individuals who were not yet in the spotlight but had the potential to become effective, long-term leaders.
Arrow’s early days were marked by an intentional, invitation-only model, with no more than 15-20 participants per cohort. This small group format created an intimate environment where leaders could build strong relationships and learn from one another. Karl emphasised that the success of the program was not just about the speakers or curriculum, but about the participants. “You get the right people in the room, and it works,” he said.
The program was also deliberately diverse, drawing leaders from various denominations, including Sydney Anglicans, Pentecostals, and other traditions. This diversity fostered a spirit of humility and openness, where leaders recognised that effective ministry required more than theological education—it required character and a willingness to learn from others. Karl particularly credits Peter Corney, the first director, for his leadership in building the program’s foundation.
Focusing on character and leadership development
One of the core principles of Arrow was a focus on developing leaders’ character as well as their skills. Karl emphasised that leadership is not just about charisma or trying harder—it’s about developing the skills and character necessary to lead well.
“Character is key,” he stressed, highlighting how leadership failures often stem from neglecting character development.
The influence of Arrow wasn’t confined to the church. One of the unique aspects of Arrow was the opportunity for participants to hear from leaders outside the Christian sphere, people who were shaping industries and communities in profound ways. Corporate leaders, police commissioners, and even high-ranking military figures shared their insights into leadership. These interactions weren’t just about leadership theory; they were about real-world applications of leadership.
“When you’re in a room with someone like Andrew Scipione, the head of the police force, or Jim Wallace from the SAS, you realise there’s more to leadership than just the church context,” Karl explains. “It was a broadening experience. These leaders had a unique perspective that enriched the program.”
What has made Arrow stand the test of time is not just its emphasis on leadership, but its commitment to developing leaders who are competent and spiritually mature.
As Karl reflects on the lasting impact of Arrow, he highlights the importance of continuing to invest in the next generation. “If we don’t have great leaders, we won’t have a thriving church,” he asserts. “We need leaders who can think beyond themselves, who understand the long-term impact of their decisions, and who are grounded in faith.”
The lasting impact of Arrow
Karl has remained committed to raising up leaders throughout his ministry. His leadership is defined by a focus on mentoring those with potential, fostering collaboration across denominations, and encouraging a long-term vision for leadership.
As Arrow celebrates its 30th anniversary, Karl reflects with pride on the program’s achievements. “It’s amazing to see something still going 30 years later that had such a tenuous beginning,” he says.
Today, many of Australia’s key Christian leaders across denominations, non-profit organizations, and workplaces are Arrow graduates. Karl believes the key to Arrow’s success is its focus on early investment in leaders. “The hardest part is picking the right people,” he says, “but when you get it right, the results speak for themselves.”
Arrow’s legacy is not just in the program itself, but in the leaders it has raised—leaders now shaping the future of church and culture. Karl’s vision for leadership remains clear: it’s not about being a superstar today, but being well-formed for leadership in the future. In this way, Arrow’s impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.
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This story is Part 3 of a three part series on ‘Arrow, a legacy of transformed leaders’.
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