5 minutes with Tara

Please tell us a little about yourself

I’m Tara, and I live on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with my husband and our three children. I’ve been a Christian since my teenage years, and my faith has been a steady anchor through many seasons of life.

I spent much of my career in financial services, and more recently have moved into serving with Bible Society Australia as their Chief Marketing & Fundraising Officer. It’s a privilege to be part of work that helps people encounter God through His Word, and I’m continually reminded that every season of life and skill we have is ultimately something God can use for His purposes.

Do you have a favourite Bible passage? If so, what is it and why?

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

I return to this passage often. I have a strong work ethic and can be tempted to rely on my own effort, so this verse gently but firmly reminds me that salvation - and really all of life with God - is a gift of grace. It humbles me and recentres my heart on what Christ has done, not what I can achieve.

How do you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?

God’s Word is central for me. Being part of a local church and a women’s Bible study group has been a great gift, as is walking alongside faithful friends and my husband who encourage, pray, and point me back to Christ.

I also find it helpful to learn from others through podcasts and teaching, such as Time with God by John North, or Tim Keller sermons. Ultimately, it’s the regular, ordinary rhythms of Scripture, prayer, and Christian community that help me keep my eyes fixed on Jesus.

What would you like the next generation of Christian women to know?

I love this quote by D. L. Moody: “Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter.”

I would want young Christian women to know that their identity is not found in achievement, approval, or productivity, but solely in what Christ has done for them - something I need to remind myself of as well. True success is faithfully using the gifts God has given you. That doesn’t mean you need to work in Christian ministry; we need Christians faithfully representing Jesus in every sector and situation. Using your gifts for God can look different in many ways—through work, relationships, motherhood, community, or quiet service—and all of it matters deeply to Him.

What’s one thing that you love about your local church?

I’m deeply grateful for the way our ministry team shares the gospel with humility and vulnerability. Their faithfulness and openness create a culture where grace is lived, not just spoken about.

What did you learn about God during a hard season of your life?

I learned that God does not abandon us in grief or suffering. Scripture is full of people who questioned, wept, and struggled - and God remained with them. That truth has been a comfort to me: we are never alone, even when life feels heavy or uncertain.

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about people encountering God through His Word, and about living a faith that is genuine, grounded, and shaped by grace rather than performance. I also believe relationships are the true richness of life, and I’m deeply thankful for my husband, children, family, and friends.

What do you enjoy doing when you rest?

I love spending time with my family and friends. Reading, the beach, cooking for people, and playing board games are some of the simple things I enjoy when I rest.