vintage: born in the late 50’s; origin: grew up in Levin (100km north of Wellington), they say good things come out of Levin! school: from Fairfield Primary School, to Hort Science @ Massey then later a Theology degree at BCNZ (now Laidlaw College) in Auckland; lives with: Gillian (the wife), Katherine (the daughter), Jack (the cat) & Ceri (the dog). Mike Robb is trying very hard to coerce us into cohabiting with some chickens too, but no luck so far!

passions in-house? I love creating an environment where people can grow & achieve their God given potential.  I’m passionate about the church being all that God intended.  Isaiah 60:1-2a is a life scripture for me; passions down-time? I love growing things that you can eat, fishing of any kind, golf, trying to fly, just got Rock Band for Xbox 360; favourite quote: We are to be salt that brings out God’s flavour in the world & light that reveals God’s amazing colour & creativity.

lives with: Garry (the husband), Daniel, Paris, Blake and Jazz (the kids); my job: Early Childhood teacher; job title: Assistant Director at Spreydon Baptist Preschool – been there since 1997!  years at westside: we’ve been coming here since October 2001.

My vision for Westside is to support Michael and Gillian in their roles and alongside them, to grow Westside into a church able to meet the spiritual needs of the people who attend the different meetings, groups and services, doing this to a high standard so people being cared for and ministered to will be able to see God's love for them.  I also want to grow spiritually along with the church as it blossoms into what God wants it to be. I bring skills to the leadership team from my experiences in running a large Christian Preschool and I have a passion for seeing people develop to their full potential.   

vintage: late‘70’s model; origins: genuine Cantabrian; live: sunny South Brighton; how long have you been at westside? six years; what keeps you coming to westside? I feel like I belong; who do you live with? my three gorgeous daughters – Estella-Maris, Caoimhe & Eden; job: Westside’s central cog; what is your dream job? working with words – editing, writing, reading, linguistics, world Scrabble Champion ... I just love words.

books: I’m a book snob – I’ll read (nearly) anything as long as it’s well written; music: lots of kiwi artists, esp. the black seeds, fat Freddy's, also Coldplay, U2 ... I could be here a while; quote: Do not be too moral. You might cheat yourself out of much life. Aim high above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something! Thoreau; holiday: I’d just like to have one, full stop! if you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I’d start with Ireland; what are your plans for the future? Go back to uni, survive the preschool years—just one more to go! three adjectives that best describe you: busy, busy, busy.

vintage: ‘80’s; origins: Blackball. You haven't heard of it? I'm not surprised; time @ westside? 2 years; what keeps you coming: You. Yes, reading this right now: you; occupation: Masters in theology & part-time community support worker; dream job: Librarian of a quiet library that has hardly any visitors so I can just read all day. Then at night I'm a nerdy superhero that saves people & always gets the girl. My superpower would be my Bachelor of Theology.
beyond the facts:
tradition(s): I grew up in the Anglican church, not literally you understand; politics, in a nutshell: I'm one of those Green, leftist nut jobs you see on the news; books: fantasy fiction—Narnia, Middle Earth & anything Robin Hobb wrote; hobbies / obsessions: Cricket. It consumes my life. I'll stay up till 5am, 5 days in a row, to read ball-by-ball commentary of a test match being played on the other side of the world. Sadly, that's a true story; pets? I had a cat that took a leave of absence after the February quake. So I'm down to just one pet now, my pedigree Sarah Miller. She's a treat, let me tell you.  future plans? Wedding, complete my Masters, house, kids, career, buy a motorcycle when I'm 50, retirement, become the crotchety old guy that kids tell stories about.

vintage: mid 50’s; origins: Warkworth, Auckland; school: Beckenham Primary to Otago Uni Medical School—clinical yrs in ChCh, then studied at BCNZ (Laidlaw College) AKL for 3 yrs. lives with: Michael (the husband), Katherine (the daughter), Jack & Ceri (the domestic zoo).

career: GP; religions or traditions: Made my first commitment to Jesus aged 4yrs—Dad was a Methodist minister, but I was lured to Levin Apostolic by the charms of a certain tall gentleman … favourites: a good novel, a glorious sunset, time with my family & travel—I’d go anywhere, as long as it’s well organised (preferably by me!)

vintage:  1957; I live in Bromley with Ruth, the occasional child, & 6 chickens; where you grew up:  Rangiora; other places you’ve lived in: Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Golden Bay, Paraparaumu, Dunedin, Mataura; religion(s) or tradition(s) you grew up with: Nothing I can think of! Ruth & I have been with the Apostolic Church /ACTS Network since 1980; how long have you been at westside? About 20 months & counting; what keeps you coming to westside? God is here, so I turn up ! God turns up, so I am here!

books:  I REALLY like “No Man in Eden” by Harold Myra. Adrian Plass is pretty cool too! music / bands:  70’s rock, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Queen, Santana, Jimmy Barnes, Les Miserable, Handel’s Messiah;  holiday: Somewhere I can fish & read! what are your plans for the future?  To plan for my future! I love to teach Christian principals/doctrine/missions/leadership & plan to do more of it in future both in NZ & overseas; personal motto or mantra: “It’s a good life if you don’t weaken.”

vintage: ’50’s; origins: ChCh-born, schooled & nurse trained; any religious traditions? Anglican roots—my father was a minister, I’m very thankful for the Christian input; live with: Mike (hubby), one son resident, lots of coming & going of our other four adult children; your job: Practice Nurse in Dr’s Surgery 2 1/2 days and involved in ChCh & Cambodia providing medical care.

mini bio: Since marrying in 1980, have been involved in missions in Papua New Guinea, Golden Bay, Dunedin, Cambodia & now back in ChCh. In 2008 I completed Spiritual Director training & return to Nursing @ CPIT; favourite books: I love reading—too many books to name! music: I grew up with musicals—Jesus Christ Superstar, Queen, Godspell. My favourite is Les Miserables; your passion: To foster connection of people with one another and with God.

the basics
vintage:  happily 40-something; where you grew up:  New Plymouth; other places you’ve lived in:  Palmerston North, Hamilton, Manila & Cotabato City, Philippines; time @ westside?  Since Oct 2000; what keeps you coming to westside?  The awesome people.  I love our church, the authenticity, the humour & sense of “journey” we are on together!  current job: Family Support Co-ordinator for the Child Cancer Foundation;  favourite thing about your work: Seeing “love in action” as families & communities draw together to support these very brave children   
beyond the facts:
music:  always been an Abba fan (sad I know!) holiday: Noosa; hobbies / passions / obsessions: Pre-loved clothing shopping, a good book in the sun with a glass of wine! Keeping fit & active; do you cook? That’s what my family slaves are for!! a quote that inspires me:  “Authentic Christians are people who stand apart from others … their character seems deeper, their ideas fresher, their spirit softer, their courage greater, their leadership stronger, their compassion more genuine & their convictions more concrete.  They are joyful in spite of difficult circumstances & show wisdom beyond their years,” Bill Hybels  plans for the future?  Enjoy this new stage of life & my gorgeous grand-daughter.