In a fast-paced world full of change, Simon Warrick is someone who leads with grounded clarity and intentionality. After two decades in ministry and not-for-profit leadership, he’s still finding new depths to his calling—and Arrow has played a significant role in that journey.
Married to Jill for over 30 years and dad to three adult children, Simon’s life has been a blend of pastoral care, organisational leadership, and mentoring. Today, he serves as the CEO of Kids Hope, an organisation that supports vulnerable children through mentoring relationships in primary schools across Australia.
But it’s not just what Simon does that makes his story compelling, it’s how Arrow helped him see it all differently.
A clearer vision
Simon was accepted into Arrow Exec 13 in the midst of his leadership journey. He had already served in ministry and not-for-profit leadership, but he was hungry to grow.
“I’ve always loved leadership. So to get the opportunity to do Arrow, a Christian leadership program… It just floated my boat,” Simon recalls.
It wasn’t long before Arrow reshaped not just how he led, but how he understood his life’s purpose.
“One of the most significant takeaways for me was learning the difference between ‘calling’ and ‘assignment.’ In Christian circles, we talk about being ‘called’ to a role, but when seasons end, that can be disorienting,” he explains. “Arrow helped me see my calling as the bigger story God is writing in my life. The assignments are just how I’m living that out in a particular season.”
That clarity has helped Simon navigate major transitions since Arrow, including stepping out of roles without knowing what was next, trusting that God’s calling would carry through every change.
From learner to leader
Simon completed the Arrow Executive Leaders Program during the disruptions of COVID-19. Within months, he was invited back to lead the next cohort, Exec 14. He hasn’t looked back since.
“I walked out of my last residential as a participant and walked in as a volunteer state leader,” he says.
Now, helping to lead the Arrow Executive Program each year, Simon has journeyed alongside leaders from across Australia. He’s seen firsthand how Arrow shapes leaders not just in skill, but in soul.
“Some of the transformations I’ve seen in people are incredible,” he reflects. “I remember feeling prompted to encourage someone in a particular way last year, just a simple word, and it shifted how he leads. We still keep in touch.”
For Simon, that’s the heart of Arrow: God using people to speak into each other’s lives, creating ripple effects of leadership and change.
The privilege of community
One of the most powerful aspects of Arrow for Simon has been the community.
“When you’re in executive leadership, there aren’t a lot of peers around you day-to-day,” Simon says. “Arrow gave me a group of people I can do ministry and leadership with. It’s a unique space.”
He describes it as finding “his tribe.”
“You show up and it’s like meeting with old friends,” he says. “Even people I barely knew—because we are Arrow Alumni—there’s immediate trust and depth.”
That tribe has kept him coming back. Year after year. Not out of obligation, but because he believes deeply in the impact Arrow has on shaping humble, Christ-centred leaders.
Why your support matters
Simon’s story is just one of many.
Arrow is forming leaders across every sector, the Church, schools, not-for-profits, businesses, and broader society. Leaders who are equipped to lead with clarity, character, and conviction.
As we approach the end of the financial year, Arrow is seeking to raise $50,000 to “Fuel the Future 🔥 Fund the Next Story.” These funds go directly toward equipping the next generation of leaders—people like Simon, and the dozens he now walks alongside each year.
The need has never been greater.
Simon says, “The world’s getting faster and society is moving quicker. If we don’t respond now, we’re going to miss a whole group of people that will influence generations to come.”
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