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Our Team
Here is just some of the team. We are committed to creating a church that is relevant; inclusive; creative; generous, fun; grace filled; non judgmental; relaxed; and inspiring.
(From the Left) Theo Greenwood, Mike Northcott, Peter Ward, Jaz & Josh Robbins; Reuben Ward, Amy Northcott, Trudie and Jay Millar |
Latest LeadersJosh and Jaz Robbins came along in the winter of 2022 and in 2023 took a more active leadership role. They have been senior leaders in both Christchurch and Rotorua churches for over 20 years and also helped set up Snowboarders for Christ in NZ back in the early 2000’s so have many links with Global Lighthouse members. In 2023 they ran a 12 week winter series of church services which was really successful and had great feedback so in 2024 Wanaka Lighthouse church went back into full swing growing rapidly. Josh and Jaz volunteer their time and continue to lead the church, alongside a great leadership team.
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Beliefs
We believe in Jesus —not just the name, but the way.
We believe love is the centre —Love of God. Love of others. Love that includes, not excludes. We believe the Bible speaks —but not always in black and white. We read it with open minds and honest hearts. We believe questions belong —Faith isn’t threatened by doubt; it’s deepened by it. We believe church should feel like coming home — not like proving yourself. We believe unity doesn’t mean sameness — We can hold different views and still love each other. We believe in becoming — not perfect, but more real, more loving, more free. |
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History
Lighthouse Church was started in a small Californian town called Mammoth in 1998 by Dave & Stevie Nelson (left photo below), being a mountain town with relaxed and relevant services the church was popular with young people, especially those involved in board sports and grew quickly.
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Wanaka Lighthouse was the first international church to be planted out of the Mammoth Home Church, it was started in 2005 by Dave & Stevies daughter Natalie Nelson (2nd photo, with Jamie), some early members are still here today - special mention to Jay and Trudie Millar who you can see here in this photo with baby Saffron who is now 18 years old and drums in the music team! Other early members are Amy and Mikey Northcott, both couples are still on our leadership team today. Natalie led the church and ran it in various venues around the town until 2011 when she returned to the States to marry her fiancee Jamie McLeod. Natalie and Jamie are now the pastors of the Lighthouse Church in Mammoth USA.
As both Mammoth and Wanaka are mountain towns that attract people from all over the globe the Lighthouse very naturally became a global movement as those that visited to work or play and attended the churches in winter took the Lighthouse ideals (believe, belong, become, relaxed and relevant church) back to their homes.
There have been Lighthouse Churches or home groups running in Scotland, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and France, usually in mountain towns similar to Wanaka and Mammoth. We currently have bi-monthly Global calls which anyone is welcome to tune into and people from all these countries plus more regularly join in as part of the Lighthouse Global family. There are also annual Global Lighthouse Family gatherings.
After 2011 the church was run by various people and went through different seasons as leaders came and went. Recently Josh and Jaz Robbins, with a large team arrived and are giving their time to make it what it is today.
There have been Lighthouse Churches or home groups running in Scotland, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and France, usually in mountain towns similar to Wanaka and Mammoth. We currently have bi-monthly Global calls which anyone is welcome to tune into and people from all these countries plus more regularly join in as part of the Lighthouse Global family. There are also annual Global Lighthouse Family gatherings.
After 2011 the church was run by various people and went through different seasons as leaders came and went. Recently Josh and Jaz Robbins, with a large team arrived and are giving their time to make it what it is today.