OUR LEADERSHIP

Meet Our Senior Pastor

Jonathan Dove

He’s a husband to Robyn and a father to four children. Jonathan (or ‘JD’ as most of us call him) began as Senior Pastor in October, 2014. He is responsible for our overall church vision, direction of our sites, staff, and preaching.

JD is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Theology degree and Robyn a Master of Biblical Studies degree.

Jonathan also convenes Auckland Church Network which is made up of bishops and senior leaders from mainstream denominations and large city churches, all working together for the spiritual and social flourishing of our city.

Jonathan is a visionary, a gifted teacher, as well as a life-long learner. He is passionate about people coming to know Jesus and building a strong community of believers that renew people and places in the way they work, play and live.

Each summer, he loves returning to his home town in Havelock North (Hawkes Bay) and enjoys walks around his maunga at Te Mata Peak. His spare time is made up of family adventures, quality coffee, a good book, and ideally, an All Blacks game.

Our Leadership Team

  • Yvonne Barker

    WORSHIP PASTOR

  • Robin Byrne

    EAST CAMPUS PASTOR

  • Jonathan Dove

    SENIOR PASTOR

  • Melanie Palmer

    SERVICES & COMMUNICATIONS PASTOR

  • Bob Shaw

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • John Theakston

    DISCIPLESHIP PASTOR

Board of Trustees

  • Lindsay Knowles

    CHAIR OF BOARD

  • Brian Chan

    TREASURER

  • John Cleary

    SECRETARY

  • Jonathan Dove

    SENIOR PASTOR

  • Delwyn Burke

    TRUSTEE

  • Geoff Harper

    Geoff Harper

    TRUSTEE

  • Maryann Heather

    TRUSTEE

  • Madison McArthur

    TRUSTEE

  • Bob Shaw

    TRUSTEE

learn more about our board

Our Teaching Team


  • He’s a husband to Rochelle, and a father to three adult sons (and border collie, Arlo). Brad currently serves as a speaker, writer and coach to churches, having had the privilege of being a pastor for most of his adult life (over 25 years).

    Brad is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary (along with his wife, Rochelle), where he earned a Master of Theology degree.

    Brad lead the team that planted Summit Church in East Auckland in 2004 (formerly BotanyLife Community Church, and now part of Gracecity Church as Gracecity East).

    Brad also serves as the Associate Director and a board member for Barnabas School of Leadership, an organisation devoted to training and equipping church leaders in under-resourced parts of the world. Additionally, he’s also on the board of Living Stones, a network of churches in Aotearoa that are working together to raise the standard of leadership across churches in New Zealand.  

    Each summer, Brad loves going camping at Waipu Cove in northern Aotearoa. In his spare time he enjoys walking Arlo, consuming a great coffee, and watching a good movie. He also supports a large number of sports teams (especially the All Blacks, Warriors and Blues). 


  • Senior Pastor

    He’s a husband to Robyn and a father of four children. Jonathan (or ‘JD’ as most of us call him) is responsible for our overall church vision, direction of our sites and staff, and preaching.

    JD is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, where Jonathan earned a Master of Theology degree and Robyn a Master of Biblical Studies degree.

    Jonathan also convenes Auckland Church Network which is made up of bishops and senior leaders from mainstream denominations and large city churches, all working together for the spiritual and social flourishing of our city.

    Jonathan is a visionary, a gifted teacher, as well as a life-long learner. He is passionate about people coming to know Jesus and building a strong community of believers that renew people and places in the way they work, play and live.

    Each summer, he loves returning to his home town in Havelock North (Hawkes Bay) and enjoys walks around his maunga at Te Mata Peak. His spare time is made up of family adventures, quality coffee, a good book, and ideally, an All Blacks game.