Where Hardship Meets Faith: Zach Mamo’s Journey to Grace & Purpose

At Christ College, faith and learning go hand in hand, creating a space where students are challenged intellectually while nurtured spiritually. For Zach Mamo, Christ College has been more than just a place to study theology, it’s been a community where he has grown in faith, developed lifelong friendships, and been equipped to serve God with both heart and mind. Today, Zach is in his second year of a combined Bachelor of Theology/ Bachelor of Ministry with a desire to enter vocational ministry within the Presbyterian Church of NSW. But his path to this point has been anything but straightforward. 

God’s Quiet Pursuit 

Zach was born in Sydney and grew up on the Central Coast, raised by his mother and older brother after his parents’ separation. Faith wasn’t part of their world. “Mum and my older brother were sort of agnostic towards Christianity,” Zach recalls. 

That began to change when his older brother started attending a youth group. The transformation in his brother’s attitude was undeniable, “he was a completely different person” Zach explains. After a year of witnessing an unexplainable difference taking place in his brother’s life, Zach accepted his brother’s invitation to attend a youth group. “I went along for about 2 years,” he says. 

Those early experiences in church planted the first seeds of faith and hope in Jesus. A hope that would sustain him through unimaginable loss. 

Grief, Questions, and Hope

In his final year of high school, Zach’s world was shaken when his older brother, who had long battled mental health struggles, took his own life. “It was a lot to wrestle with, and being quite new to faith I ended up stopping going to church for a few years,” Zach shares. 

Although Zach stopped attending church he never truly turned away from God. “I knew God was good but I didn’t understand why this was happening,” he shares. “I knew that I could trust God and that he was in control of all things, but it was hard to reconcile his goodness and allowing tragic events to happen.” Despite this confusion Zach expressed that he, “found God to be the refuge that I would cling to, kind of like the life raft in the storm that I would keep going back to when everything else around me was turbulent and seemed to be sinking.”

During this time, Zach found comfort in the quiet strength of his Christian father, whose approach to grief was remarkably different to those around him. “My dad’s grief was a grief that was a hope-filled grief,” Zach reflects. “He was able to mourn but not as someone who had no hope. So I kind of would always find myself going to him and talking to him a lot.”

Rebuilding Faith and Finding Community

Years later, while driving through Gosford, Zach noticed a small Presbyterian church. His father encouraged him to visit, reminding him that community was essential for faith to grow. “At the time I just wanted to know God, I didn’t want to know people,” Zach admits. “Obviously God’s people didn’t allow that to happen…Not only was the teaching amazing, but the people were really wonderful.”

That decision marked a turning point. Through the warmth and authenticity of the congregation, Zach’s faith was rekindled. “[It was there] I genuinely came to a saving faith” he says. Zach reflects that “It’s really hard to be a Christian and not be in a Christian community.” It was from this experience that he was able to “value church and God’s people so much, knowing that being in and amongst God’s people is actually a real privilege and something that is valuable.”

That same church would later become the place where Zach met his wife and where his passion for serving God’s people grew stronger.

From Plumbing to Pastoral Ministry

Before studying theology, Zach’s career took several turns. It began with a short stint studying film production, then working as a small engine mechanic, and eventually becoming a licensed plumber. It was during his plumbing work that he discovered ministry opportunities in unexpected places. “Almost every day I’d have the opportunity to talk to someone about my faith and about Jesus and the gospel, ” he shares. It was through these opportunities that Zach was able to “really figure out how to speak simply and in ways that actually make sense to non-Christians.”

Over time, Zach felt a growing desire to serve God in a full-time capacity. His experience as an elder at Gosford Presbyterian affirmed that calling, and in 2023, he enrolled at Christ College to pursue formal theological training.

“I knew that coming to Christ College would be the right decision for developing me as a leader in the Presbyterian church” he explains. “Most important for me was knowing that I’d get the right theological training and that the foundation I’d be building a lifetime ministry on would be a solid foundation.”

Since starting at Christ College Zach has noticed the strong pastoral care from lecturers, noting that the smaller class sizes allow for deep connections and personalised support from faculty members. “Lecturers have often reached out to let me know they were praying for me,” he shares. 

A Day in the Life at Christ College

Life at Christ College is marked by a rhythm of study, prayer, and community. Each lecture begins with devotion and prayer, reminding students that theology is not just about knowledge but transformation. Tuesdays feature a “Living for Christ” lunch, where guest speakers share about mission and ministry, while Wednesdays include chapel and pastoral care groups that provide space for reflection and prayer.

Zach also highlights the annual mission week as one of the most formative experiences of his time at college so far. “It pushed me out of my comfort zone,” he says. “We spent a week serving a local community, and we saw families start attending church because of that mission. It’s really lovely to see God working through Mission Week and the continuing effects of that.”

Looking Ahead

Now in his second year of study, Zach balances his coursework with an internship program and ministry candidacy. His two-hour commute each way might seem like a challenge, but he sees it as a gift. “Even though it takes me two hours each way, I’d rather come in person because knowing the community, knowing people and being known by people is what it means to be a part of God’s people.”

As for the future, Zach remains open-handed. “I’m hoping to become a minister in the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales and see if God opens that door.” 

For Zach, Christ College has been a place where faith and community meet deep theological formation. Reflecting on his experience, he shares, “if you value community, if you value God’s word, and if you want to be challenged, then this is the place for you.” 

Throughout his time at the college, Zach has experienced what it means to learn and grow in a setting that both nurtures and stretches its students. “I found myself deeply loved here by both students and lecturers and pushed theologically and intellectually in the best possible ways,” he says. It’s this balance of encouragement and challenge that has made his experience so transformative. For those considering theological study, Zach doesn’t hesitate to share his wholehearted endorsement: “I would recommend this place more than anywhere else and highly encourage anyone who is considering theological education to come here… because what I’ve learned here is more than just how to write well academically. I’ve learned how to let theology inform my thinking, transform my heart, and shape my everyday life.”