Who is Stephanie Rice’s fiancé Mark Lassey? Aussie pastor has over 20 years experience providing ‘spiritual leadership’ globally – and met the Olympic gold medallist while preaching in Dubai

Who is Stephanie Rice's fiancé Mark Lassey? Aussie pastor has over 20 years experience providing 'spiritual leadership' globally - and met the Olympic gold medallist while preaching in Dubai

As I delve into Stephanie’s heartfelt journey, I am deeply moved by her resilience and strength. Her life story is a testament to the power of faith, healing, and new beginnings. From the highs of love and companionship to the lows of heartbreak and self-discovery, she has navigated the complexities of life with grace and determination.


Fans were taken aback when Stephanie Rice revealed that she is now engaged to her partner Mark Lassey, following only seven months together in a relationship.

As a devoted admirer, I’m excited to share that the iconic Australian swimmer, aged 36, announced delightful news on Instagram just yesterday. This joyous update comes several weeks after they first shared their romantic relationship with the world.

In early January, Stephanie disclosed that she had committed herself to God and embraced Christianity, just prior to making her relationship with the Pastor based in Perth public.

46-year-old Lassey has served as the main pastor at Perth’s Kingdom City Church since June 2015. As stated in his online profile, he is dedicated to fostering a vibrant community and assisting individuals who have been influenced by the teachings of the gospel in their personal growth.

As a lifestyle guide, I find myself reflecting on a significant milestone that occurred towards the beginning of this year – the conclusion of my first marriage, a bond that had lasted for 25 rewarding years and produced three wonderful grown sons whom I am incredibly proud to call mine.

Apart from being a regular preacher, he’s quite active on social platforms like Instagram, where he often posts pictures of himself delivering sermons, accompanied by personal reflections expressing his religious beliefs.

As a devoted admirer, I myself frequently traverse the Asia-P Pacific skies for my professional commitments, and it was during one such journey that I had the privilege of crossing paths with the esteemed Olympian, Stephanie Rice, based in Dubai, earlier this very year.

At Kingdom City, Lassey serves as an Executive Pastor, overseeing various administrative and operational duties within the church.

Who is Stephanie Rice's fiancé Mark Lassey? Aussie pastor has over 20 years experience providing 'spiritual leadership' globally - and met the Olympic gold medallist while preaching in Dubai

Originating from Adelaide, South Australia, he concluded his high school education in 1997. Later on, he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, specializing in this field, from the University of South Australia.

Stephanie and Mark became acquainted by mutual connections, and more recently, he expressed gratitude on Instagram for the prosperity of their bond, crediting it to God.

‘Both of us are feeling extremely thankful at this moment. Gratitude is the word that encapsulates our feelings, gratitude towards God for bringing us together in His perfect plan, as she shared a heartwarming collection of photos of them.’

Through every stage of our voyage, God’s kindness and presence have been a constant, instilling in us an unshakeable trust that the chapters ahead of us will be even more remarkable, guided by His grace.

Additionally, Mark is the father of three boys named Tyler, Joel, and Luke, whom Stephanie has previously encountered, given that their growing relationship continues to thrive.

After Stephanie posted a collection of delightful photos on Instagram, showcasing the instant when Mark proposed at Dubai’s lavish Atlantis The Royal hotel, it followed.

Who is Stephanie Rice's fiancé Mark Lassey? Aussie pastor has over 20 years experience providing 'spiritual leadership' globally - and met the Olympic gold medallist while preaching in Dubai
Who is Stephanie Rice's fiancé Mark Lassey? Aussie pastor has over 20 years experience providing 'spiritual leadership' globally - and met the Olympic gold medallist while preaching in Dubai

Seven months into their acquaintance, the pair appeared radiantly happy, grinning broadly and exchanging a passionate kiss, as Stephanie displayed her dazzling engagement ring.

Stephanie exuded an effortless elegance, adorning a stunning white floral gown and stylish heels with straps, as she graced the idyllic setting of an outdoor hotel proposal. The scene was nothing short of picture-perfect.

She emphasized her striking attributes using a luxurious makeup set, radiating more joy than ever while snuggling with her newly-engaged partner.

Mark stood out stylishly, wearing a white shirt, beige pants, and a black jacket, while he gracefully proposed to Stephanie, offering her a sparkling diamond ring from Charles Edward Jewelers in Perth.

After Mark proposed, the newly-engaged pair couldn’t keep their hands off each other, exchanging a passionate kiss filled with romance.

In the caption, Stephanie excitedly expressed: ‘To new beginnings and opportunities for change… I say yes to spending a lifetime with you.’

She ended her post with a quote from the Bible that reads: “Find your joy in the Lord, and He will fulfill your deepest desires.” (Psalms 37:4)

For about five months, Stephanie was secretly courting an Australian pastor, and then she made it public that they were in a relationship.

Through a shared acquaintance, they became acquainted, and due to Mark residing in Perth and Stephanie moving to Dubai in November, their relationship blossomed into a long-distance one.

Five months back, when our paths crossed, it was clear to us both that this wasn’t just another encounter for us,’ she enthusiastically shared on Instagram, accompanied by warm shots of her and Mark.

Initially, there existed a profound connection between us. Given the intricacies of our respective lives, we decided to limit the initial months to immediate family and intimate friends, savoring the joy of blossoming romance privately.

However, it seemed as if fate had brought us together, that initial phone call making us believe we were destined for each other, is how she put it, and then went on to describe their long-distance relationship.

Despite being located far apart with distinct time differences, the distance has presented certain hurdles (but technology like Zoom has been a blessing), yet we’ve felt God’s constant presence and guidance throughout our voyage. This steadfast belief in His providence instills within us a resolute hope that our shared future will be even more remarkable under His watch.

Who is Stephanie Rice's fiancé Mark Lassey? Aussie pastor has over 20 years experience providing 'spiritual leadership' globally - and met the Olympic gold medallist while preaching in Dubai
Who is Stephanie Rice's fiancé Mark Lassey? Aussie pastor has over 20 years experience providing 'spiritual leadership' globally - and met the Olympic gold medallist while preaching in Dubai

As an overjoyed fan, I can’t help but express my heartfelt gratitude – if there’s a single term that captures the emotions we’re both experiencing now, it’s “gratitude.” We’re thankful to the heavens above, grateful for the divine intervention that brought us together at just the right moment. We’re also filled with appreciation for this new chapter in our lives.

‘Appreciative of the tranquility and resilience we draw from one another, thankful for loving companions in the form of friends and relatives, thankful for a wonderful church community and wise guides guiding our path, above all, thankful for each other.’

Stephanie has recently opened up about her unexpected transformation, revealing that she now attends prayer meetings alone in a foreign land, finding companionship within a community through a church.

Indeed, I find myself here, and what a unique and heartening experience it has been for me, providing me with a sense of support and belonging in my new dwelling in Dubai.

Kingdom City started in Perth in 2003 and has since gone global with branches in Africa, Europe and Asia in addition to the Middle East. 

Stephanie had a romantic relationship with Dane Christison, a veteran, whom she encountered at an Australian church in the past.

Over the Christmas season of 2023, the pair took a vacation across the United States as a duo. However, it wasn’t long until she made their separation known to the public, which occurred in May 2024.

Who is Stephanie Rice's fiancé Mark Lassey? Aussie pastor has over 20 years experience providing 'spiritual leadership' globally - and met the Olympic gold medallist while preaching in Dubai

Stephanie removed photos of her boyfriend from her Instagram account as early as March, and she hasn’t spoken about him for several weeks now.

The sportswoman later opened up about how she was happy their relationship had ended. 

In her words, when she relocated, she deeply wished to keep you all updated with the adventure as it happened in real-time.

“Recently, I went through a profound healing process. At that moment, I was in a particularly difficult relationship. When it ended, I experienced a sense of divine serenity washing over me. It felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, leaving me feeling liberated, content, and joyful.”

Stephanie said that her new life in Dubai has lifted a weight off her shoulders.

For the very first time, she acknowledged the burden I had been unknowingly shouldering. It seemed as if a weighty load was suddenly removed from me, leaving me in an extraordinary space filled with immense joy and satisfaction. This is how she expressed her feelings.

She expressed her gratitude by saying, “God is truly wonderful. I’ve been witnessing an abundance of blessings from God’s generosity, and I yearn to tell even more about the extraordinary events that have unfolded over the last half year.”

‘Now that I have a lot more clarity, a lot more peace, and a lot more happiness.’

Who is Stephanie Rice's fiancé Mark Lassey? Aussie pastor has over 20 years experience providing 'spiritual leadership' globally - and met the Olympic gold medallist while preaching in Dubai

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2024-09-06 05:20

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