Youth Pastor - Titirangi Baptist Church

Grace hails from West Auckland where she pastors the youth ministry at Titirangi Baptist Church, and does youth work at the local high school - she values being a safe adult for rangatahi to wrestle with the hard bits of growing up with. Grace is passionate about helping teenagers see how rich and deep the Word of God is, and the way it fuels our life and love for Jesus - she loves to nerd out and teach her youth  why understanding Scripture well (even the Greek words!) is so important for our real life walk with Jesus. She lives with her husband Jono down the road from church, and in her own time loves making a mess in the kitchen!

Marlon has been walking with Jesus for over 17 years, having been saved at the age of 15. Since then, he has had a deep love for Jesus and a passion for seeing people of all ages, cultures, and  backgrounds come to know Him. He is of Maori heritage from Ngāpuhi (Iwi) and Te Rarawa (Hapū), and also Niuean from Alofi and Tamakautoga. His life and work are grounded in the values he calls the five 'Fs': Faith, Family, Fellowship, Food, and Fun. Marlon has a deep love for young people and has spent over a decade walking alongside them, both personally and professionally. His experience spans roles within the church, health system, police, Bible in Schools, and Oranga Tamariki.

Lizzie spent a decade in Kolkata, India with her husband Joel, working with The Loyal Workshop—a social business providing alternative employment to women exiting the sex trade. Those years reshaped Lizzie’s posture towards mission, justice, and faith. Now living in Ōtautahi, you’ll find her reading books to her two gorgeous tamahine, deep-diving into Liberation Theology, or riding the whānau cargo bike everywhere. Lizzie loves Jesus’ vision for life and is passionate about the expansive love of God.

Baptist National Leader

Chris is the newly appointed National Leader of Baptist Churches of NZ, with over 30 years of pastoral experience. He’s passionate about Jesus, the church, and seeing God’s kingdom come, inspired by the radical faith of early Baptists. Chris is married to Julie, with three adult children and three grandchildren. He also enjoys restoring Fiat cars—he owns five, most of which don’t go. "My commitment to the gospel of Jesus is borne out in a love for the Church, especially a Baptist vision of the Church. As Baptists we have a unique history and a way of being the church that can deliver despite challenges."

Baptist Youth Ministries, National Youth Catalyst

Ethan’s the National Youth Catalyst for the Baptist Churches of Aotearoa and leads the Baptist Youth Ministries (BYM) team. He gets to work alongside incredible youth leaders all over the country and has a front row seat to what Jesus is doing in young people’s lives. He’s been in youth work his whole adult life—running youth groups, mentoring rangatahi and working in schools. Ethan loves Jesus and is passionate about seeing young people discipled well.