New Church Education Leadership Roles Announced for Asia-Pacific Region

New education leadership roles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Asia-Pacific region were announced this week.

Chad Webb, Administrator of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion for the Church, announced this week that the Pacific Area Director for Church Schools, Michael Carthew, will be moving to a new role training and supporting online Institute programs and teachers across the Asia-Pacific Region. The new Pacific Area Director of Church Schools will be Jonathan Warwick.

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Education is strongly emphasized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Along with offering seminary classes for high school students, the Church also sponsors religious classes known as “institute” for young single adults ages 18 to 30, and married university students.

The Pacific Schools of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are scattered across nine islands in four countries. They service age groups ranging from kindergarten to Year 13. The 15 schools have a total enrolment of approximately 6,000 students and employ over 400 staff and faculty.

“I am excited and humbled to be the new Director of the Pacific Church Schools,” Warwick said. “We have a wonderful team of educators throughout the schools, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to improve student outcomes. For the past four and a half years I have worked closely with Brother Michael Carthew, and I am excited to follow in the direction that he has set for the Pacific Church Schools.”       

He continued: “I feel confident in the direction that our team is going in as we support the purpose of the Pacific Church Schools, to help students understand and rely on the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven.”

Warwick says that one of the biggest challenges they have faced recently is the impact that Covid-19 has had on education. 

“Many of our schools have been closed due to government lockdowns,” he said.

“We have seen miracles occur throughout this challenging time and have seen the Lord’s work continue to be accomplished.”

Speaking of Michael Carthew, he said, “It has been an honour to work closely with him in my role as his Associate Director. I have truly appreciated his tutelage over the past four and a half years, and I will greatly miss his leadership and friendship.”

Looking ahead, Warwick said, “We have a wonderful team at the Pacific Area Office, and I sincerely appreciate their support and the hard work and effort they put in to supporting the Pacific Church Schools throughout Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati, and Tonga.” 

Michael Carthew says that the work he will be doing "is an exciting area to have the opportunity to work in. It brings together some of my deep interests - the Gospel of Jesus Christ, education, and technology." 

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He explains that the online Institute program is "really beginning to gain momentum as restrictions on gathering together have been implemented due to the current pandemic, but also because technology has enabled people to engage in gospel learning where it may have been difficult until now."

"I am excited to go back to Australia," he added. "I have come to love New Zealand and the Pacific Islands – especially the people here – but deep down I am looking forward to reconnecting with my culture and home. However, it also means saying many hard 'goodbyes' to people I have grown to love. So, right now, my feelings are sensitive and kind of mixed."

Carthew has worked in Church education in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands for many years.

"I have been so very blessed in my career," he said. "I have been on a remarkable journey so far. To have the opportunity to live and work in Fiji and labour alongside my wonderful friends there was a special blessing for my family and me. Fiji is a very special place! I was so blessed to be able to serve there. My time in New Zealand has been very special also. This is a beautiful land with beautiful people. I will treasure my time here forever and will miss so many friends I have come to love and admire."

Looking to the future, Carthew says that "the Pacific schools will be very fortunate to have Jonathan Warwick as their director. He has that wonderful combination of being incredibly hard working and yet very personable. He is brilliant at knowing and acknowledging individuals. He is passionate about education and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His leadership characteristics combined with his faith and experience will make him an incredible leader for the schools."