Why do we exist?
Lakes Church is a family oriented church that aims to provide a place for people to belong, where they can find Jesus and community, and honour God.
1 Corinthians 13 v 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
What are we about?
Jesus is about relationships and changed lives. Lakes Church wants this to be one of their primary focuses - our relationship with Jesus, each other, how we can know Him, and how He can change our lives.
"Build each other up." 1 Thessalonians 5 v11
What do we believe?
The Statement of Faith sets out the doctrinal position of Lakes Church which is affirmed by our leadership team.
We are more than happy to discuss any of the positions taken here with you.
What's our DNA?
Lakes Church DNA is made of the constant, passionate, biblical core beliefs that drive us. Our DNA says why we do what we do and are the basis of ministry or the reason behind a ministry activity. DNA defines what is important to God and therefore, what is important to us.
What are our practices ?
Our practices outline our understanding of the Bible and standings on present day matters. These are non-essentials for salvation but are listed for unity purposes. We encourage all believers to be compassionate and gracious where there may be different viewpoints, and respectful of the position of the Lakes Church in these practices.
“In Essentials – Unity, In Non-Essentials – Grace, In All things – Love.”
Health and Safety
Wellbeing is fundamental to the way we operate Lakes Church.
Lakes Church, its leadership and people are committed to the health and safety of everyone we serve, employ and work with.
Meet the Team
Elders
Geoff & Sandra Hill
Geoff and Sandra have a passion for serving Jesus and seeing people grown in their faith. Geoff is serving as Pastor in a part-time capacity. He has a Degree in Christian Ministries from Adelaide, Australia, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Theology from Laidlaw College, NZ. Sandra grew up in Fiji with missionary parents and grandparents. She works as Finance Manager for a Maori Ahu Whenua Trust. They have three grown children who love Jesus too.
Peter & Pam MacDonald
Peter and Pam are dairy farmers in the Rerewhakaaitu district.
They love to serve others and support the church where-ever they can. They have two grown sons and enjoy their grandchildren.
Richard & Bronwen McCurran
Richard and Bronwen grew up in New Zealand but worked for some years in Kenya and Mozambique with a Bible translation organisation, along with their two sons (now grown). They have one daughter-in-law and two grandsons.
Richard is an IT tutor in Tauranga and Bronwen is an early childhood teacher.
Their vision as elders comes from Colossians 2:2,3 “… that [God’s people] may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Steve & Jo Lawson
Steve and Jo are parents of adult children and now grandparents. They have many years of experience in a variety of aspects of church life. They care about people of all ages encountering God's message of hope, being encouraged and equipped to honor God.
Staff
Pastor Geoff Hill
Geoff is the Pastor at Lakes Church working in a part time capacity.
Jolie Chatterton
Jolie is the Lakes Church Administration Assistant.
Jolie, along with her husband, Daniel, have been part of Lakes Church since mid 2019. They have three children, Ava, Micaiah and Ozias.
Service Team
Dennis & Evelyn Falconer
Dennis and Evelyn (nee Dawson) have called Rotorua home for years. Dennis can be found down at the Lake front on most big events where there are fireworks. He is a hands on man with many skills, audio and sound to name one, and pyrotechnics another. Evelyn is known around Rotorua for her voice - she is a music teacher and a gifted singer. Dennis and Evelyn lead the worship team.