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 Elders.
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 & Sandra have been part of Lakes Church since it started and have lived in Rotorua for over 24 years. They want people to know how much they are loved by the God who created them, and to find the peace and joy that knowing Him gives.
Geoff works part time for the church in a Pastoral/Admin capacity and for a local Locksmithing company. Sandra was born and raised in Fiji to missionary parents (Stokes) and grandparents (Crane). She works as a Finance Manager in a Ahu Whenua Trust.
Geoff & Sandra have four children (two in Heaven), a son in law, daughter in law, and one grandbaby.
Steve & Joanne Lawson
(to be updated)
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.”
STAFF
Geoff Hill
Geoff is the Pastor at Lakes Church working in a part time capacity, and supported in the role by his wife Sandra. He holds a Bachelor of Christian Ministries and a Graduate Diploma in Theology.
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.
LAKES KIDS
All Lake Kids leaders are police vetted
Sandra Hill
My name is Sandra, and I am a mother and more recently, a grandmother. I hold a NZ Certificate in Family Daycare Caregiver, and Certificates in Childcare, Religious Instruction, Papa Reo (Level 1) and Tikanga Maori (Level3).
I love the energy and transparency of children and consider it an honour to be teaching Lakes Kids about the God who loves them beyond their imaginations, and to be buiilding bible truths into their lives. I pray that they come to know the joy of having Jesus walking beside them throughout their life.
Celynne Echevarria-Vallejo
Kia ora! Ko Celynee toku ingoa.
Our family of five moved to Aotearoa from the Philippines, and we feel incredibly blessed to call Rotorua home.
I have a deep passion for working with children - whether it's through my role as a kaiako in our early childhood centre or here at Lakes Church. I believe in planting seeds of faith early, guiding our children to know the love and truth of Jesus. As Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." It's a joy and privilege to help nurture our tamariki in their walk with the Lord and to journey with them as they grow in faith.
Kate Kannan
Hi, I'm Kate.
I'm mum to three kiddies aged 6, 5 and 2. I count it a real joy and privilege to share my faith in Jesus with kids and to help them discover how much our awesome God loves them.
Junior Leader
Lakes Kids Leaders are assisted by Mikayla