Howard & Lenore Heap

Elders

We came to faith in Jesus Christ as young children. Howard has been a member of Church on Vogel since 1968 and Lenore since 1972. Howard has been an Elder since 1977 and retired from secular work in 2005. We have three children and four grandchildren. We both serve in a variety of ministries and have a strong commitment to maintaining clear Biblical teaching. We are also passionate about ensuring that the church “family” lives out its Vision and Mission.

 

Stephen & Christine Little

Elders

We have been married for 33 years and have three sons and one daughter-in-law. Our family is very important to us and we believe God created the family unit to be a foundation of our society. We both love being at Church on Vogel with the strong emphasis on clear Bible teaching to make God’s Word relevant for today. This encourages people to discover a deeper relationship with Jesus and an eagerness to share that faith. Stephen works in the Microbial Fermentation Unit at Fonterra and Christine teaches at Cornerstone Christian School.

FRITS & ALISON van Echten

Elders

We were both brought up in Christian homes. We have been married for over 40 years and have four children and five grandchildren. Our Christian journey led us to Church on Vogel in 1997. The loving, non-judgemental attitude of the people and their desire to honour God and faithfully teach His word from the Bible is what drew us into this church family. We are both keenly involved in various aspects of church life at COV.

Tasa & Sesimani Havea

Elders

Tasa & Sesimani Havea are originally from the Kingdom of Tonga. They have three children (one boy and two girls). The Havea family loves God and loves serving not only in the church family but also in the wider Christian community.
They are involved in leadership of the International Student Ministry. The family love sharing the gospel whenever an opportunity arises. Tasa works as a Scientist at Fonterra and Sesimani works as a Researcher & Tutor at Massey University.

ANDREW & SONJA MITCHELL

Pastors

In 2012 I (Andrew) began a 2-year internship with Pathways Bible and Mission College. At that time, Sonja and I had been married for 26 years with six children aged between 12 and 22 years. We had been running our own firewood retail business for nearly 20 years and had been members of Gateways Christian Fellowship in Palmerston North for 22 years. Through my involvement with Pathways we were asked to consider a pastoral position at Church on Vogel. As we sought God we both felt an unmistakable call so in April 2013 we stepped out of our comfort zone and became part time pastors. In 2015 we sold the business and went full time. Church on Vogel is full of exciting challenges and great opportunities. We work with a wonderful team of very supportive and forward looking elders. We feel very privileged to part of what God is doing in Roslyn and in the wider Christian community.

JAMIE PEARCE

Young Adults Pastor

I grew up in Palmerston North, and attended the same church for 24 years. I served in the youth and young adult leadership there for several years, before sensing the Lord moving me on. I was offered the Young Adults Pastor role at COV at the beginning of 2016 – which I prayerfully and gratefully accepted. I have a passion for the Word of God, desiring to see both young and old grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus, and to see all generations walk together as the ‘family’ that God has designed them to be.