Meet the Team

OUR WONDERFUL STAFF

Mike Enright

Interim Pastor

I’ve been at Northgate since June 2023, in an interim role, aiming to help prepare the church for a ‘new season’, when a new leader or leaders are appointed.

I’ve been married to Lorraine, my best friend, for 44 years. We’ve been involved in pastoral ministry for 42 of those years, having sensed God’s call to ministry together before we were married. We’ve lived on the Coast for 15 years, in 2 different spells. We have 5 adult children – 1 in Japan, 2 in Australia and 2 in New Zealand – and 3 grandsons – 1 in Japan and 2 in New Zealand. As well as pastoring on the Coast, we’ve also spent a number of years in New Plymouth and Wellington.

I love Jesus and I love His Church … And I love being a Pastor – it’s what I was made for.

I also love my family, and being a Dad and a Grandad – that’s been the highlight of my life! And I love sport (Go the Hurricanes, the Warriors, the Phoenix, and Manchester United!), travel, music and food.

Lorraine and I are really enjoying being part of Northgate, and seeing the exciting things God is doing with and through the wonderful people of this church community.

mike@northgate.org.nz

Jess Lovatt-Veale

Associate Pastor

Youth & Worship

Jess has been part of our Northgate community as an Associate Pastor since early 2022 and has over 15 years of ministry experience behind her. She is super passionate about the church being a place where everyone belongs and has a particular heart for seeing rangatahi (youth) know, experience and share the love of Jesus.

When Jess is not hanging out with teenagers or leading worship on Sunday mornings, you’ll find her paddle boarding at the beach, at a musical, playing netball, or making music.

Jess’ key areas of involvement at Northgate include, youth, young adults, worship music, baptism and community outreach, but her heart is to be a disciple of Jesus and point people towards Him.

jess@northgate.org.nz

Diney Adams

Kids Church Team Leader and Community Ministries

My name’s Diney and I’ve lived here on the sunny Coast for two years alongside my husband and three young children, who can be found running around the Church most Sunday mornings.

I’m a trained primary school teacher with a passion for seeing the living word of the Gospel take root in the hearts of our children.

diney@northgate.org.nz

Chloe Fitzgibbon

Nest and Hatch Team Leader

Hi! I'm Chloe! A little info about me.. I've been a part of Northgate kids'' ministry for over 10 years!

I currently work full time as a registered nurse. When I'm not working, you'll find me painting, drawing, or baking (hit me up if you want a cake!)

I've got a passion for nurturing our youngest Northgate's.

At Northgate we provide them with a fun and exciting environment where they can learn about the everlasting love of Jesus, and the true power of the gospel.

So, if you love a good craft, play and Jesus, you have come to the right place!

chloe@northgate.org.nz

Shannon Ancrum-Mawdsley

Interim Care and Intergration Pastor

I have been a member at Northgate Baptist for 7 years and this is my second
season of being on staff. I led pastoral care and hospitality in 2018-2020 and am stepping back into a role of helping people feel included and cared for within our congregation. This involves Church Events, Small Groups, Workshops, and Training Emerging Leaders.

I love working in a team, discerning where God is at work and partnering with this, so more of God's kingdom comes here on earth.

I live in community with Andrew and Susannah Connolly at Peacemakers Retreat Center and am involved with leading retreats and offering Spiritual Direction.

My two adult children live in Auckland and I love hanging out with them and also spending time with my Mum. Other hobbies I enjoy are gardening, writing, painting, photography and anything at the beach or in the water.

shannon@northgate.org.nz

Jo Sargent

Admin Awesomeness!

Jo Sargent is the dedicated Office Administrator at Northgate Baptist Church, which she has attended for the past 18 years. In her role for the past 10 years, Jo is the organizational backbone of the church, ensuring its seamless operation and fostering a sense of community among its members.

With a genuine passion for the Church and its people, Jo takes pride in keeping everyone informed and connected.

Beyond her commitment to Northgate, Jo celebrates 30 years of marital bliss with her wonderful husband, Grant. Their family extends to include their daughter, Cailin, who has one final year at Orewa College, and their loyal companion, Chipper, a dog with an undeniable love for Orewa Beach. Jo's passion for both her church and family shines through in her work, making her an integral part of the Northgate community.

jo@northgate.org.nz

Tommy

AV and Worship Team Coordinator

Tommy has been a part of Northgate for over 8 years and on Staff since 2020.

With an extensive background in music and live performance,

He is definitely a bit of a character!

Tommy is the Coordinator of the AV Team and the Worship Team.

Northgate is his extended family and he is very happy to work along side such

wonderful and gifted people and to be a part of the Team! :)

tommy@northgate.org.nz

Jakob Lewis

Property Caretaker

Keeping our facilities spick and span for all our groups enjoyment.

OUR AMAZING ELDERS

Mark Richards

Elders Chairman

I am happily married to Avril, and we have a grown-up daughter and son, Scarlett and Luka. We have been attending Northgate and various Northgate home groups for nearly 9 years, and I have served in the hospitality and welcoming teams.

I became an Elder in 2021 and am keen to continue in the role to help Northgate grow in this next season as we transition to a new pastor and lean in further to fulfil God's plans for us.

I work as a regional manager for a dental company, and we live out west between Helensville and Kaukapakapa on a lifestyle block. I enjoy chasing sheep and chooks on my weekends.

admin@northgate.org.nz

Richard Bayes

Elder

I am pleased to be a candidate for eldership in our church. I have been a part of this church since its inception, which has been a significant part of my life for the past 19 or so years. Prior to that I was at Windsor Park Baptist and Red Beach Methodist, and I have lived and worked on the coast my whole life.

I am lucky to have been married to my wonderful wife, Irena, for 23 years, and we have three amazing teenagers, who participate in our Northgate youth group.
Throughout the years of the church, we have seen it grow and flourish, along with our kids and those of our close friends. I ran the setup team for 8 or 10 years, and post that have been a pew warmer and loved being part of this great congregation. I have been involved with many of the church camps, and a team that prepares meals for our youth camps.

Professionally, I am the General Manager of a local business, Bayes Coachlines. This role keeps me very busy most of the time, but it’s a role I enjoy and an industry I have been in for 30 years.

As someone who has lived in this area for my entire life, I have a deep connection to our community. I genuinely care about the well-being of our church family and the broader community. My closest friends also attend our church, making this congregation an integral part of my life, an extended family.
I am passionate for our church and community, and in seeing it all thrive.

Glenn Carter

Elder

Glenn is married to Angela and together they have three awesome adult children, two wonderful sons in law, one amazing daughter in law and two much loved grandchildren.

Glenn has a background in finance, business operations and management. He leads a Christian Mission organisation called Asian Outreach NZ whose focus is to engage Kiwis in God's work in Mongolia, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam.

Glenn is passionate about people knowing Jesus as their personal saviour and then becoming people of God who outwork the great commission.

Glenn loves to see people being free from sickness, addictions and emotional conditions, so they can worship Jesus freely.

Glenn & Angela have been part of the Northgate Baptist family since establishment and have deep roots, relationships and love for this community.

Glenn’s other interests include following the Chiefs, Warriors, mountain biking, NBA basketball, reading and music.

John Chapman

Elder

I am married to Sue and have 3 married children and 6 grandsons so far…. We have been attending Northgate for nearly 10 years after shifting from Wellsford to Stanmore Bay. I was a Chartered Accountant for 30 plus years but sold our business in Warkworth 2 years ago.

At Northgate I have previously been an Elder, and also enjoyed my time doing church setup until I finished that a year ago. Currently I am part of the Northgate prophetic group which Sue helped start a couple of years ago. For a number of years we have also been part of a home group where most members belong to Northgate. Currently I am an interim Elder helping with the current changes at Northgate.

I am keen to help Northgate successfully find a new Pastor and create a stable and thriving environment for us to continue with the work that Jesus has assigned us.

Ian Lamont

Elder

Megan and I have been married for 32 years and have three adult children (no grandchildren yet!). We have been members of Northgate for over 15 years, two of these years as an Elder, then almost 10 years part-time on staff as an Associate Pastor.

Prior to Northgate, from 2004 to 2014 I was in full-time ministry as Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor and then Co-Senior Pastor at Liberty Christian Church, a Baptist Church in Avondale.

My other “hat”, apart from pastoral ministry, has been in the world of engineering management and consultancy. I have been self-employed running a project management consultancy for the past 15 years.

I love the church. My dream is a church full of authentic people wanting to be with Jesus, become like Jesus and do what Jesus did.

Judith Melvin

Elder

I have been part of the Northgate whānau since 2006. My husband Pete and I have brought up our three, now young adult, children, Isaac, Jed and Erynn, in this church. We are very grateful for this faith community, and it is very much our tūrangawaiwai.

During this time, we have helped support the children and youth ministries, led Bible in Schools at Wainui, hosted home groups, and been part of prayer groups. We have also been involved in cross-cultural mission in Bolivia, and are part of the church’s Beyond Our Walls (BOW) team.

I have previously served on eldership at Northgate (2009-2015; 2018-2021) and in an interim capacity since May this year. Other governance roles I have had include being on the Laidlaw College National Governing Council from 2013-2023, the past six years as Deputy Chair. I work as a criminal lawyer, specialising in therapeutic courts, including the Youth Court, Te Kōti Rangatahi (marae-based Youth Court) and the Alcohol & Other Drug Treatment Court, Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua (“the house that uplifts the spirit”).

I have prayerfully considered the eldership role for this next season, and my heart is to bring the best of our past and our unique DNA as Northgate, into our future as a church. My prayer is that we step into all that God has for us.

Anna Sanford

Elder

I’m married to Josh, and am mother of Lace & Willow (9 & 8).
For 30 years Whangaparaoa Baptist Church was my home. Josh and I have both served on staff there in various capacities for 16 years, including pastoral roles, youth work and management teams in community trusts.

I’m currently a Puberty Presenter and Personality Coach, and bring strengths and experience in the areas of communication, leadership, discernment and strategy.
We have had a long-standing relationship with Northgate over the years but commenced attending in November last year, and have become members, a sign of our commitment to this church family.

I am passionate about the church, both the people that are church and the institution.
I am hopeful for its ‘becoming’ and the many opportunities we have to be ‘good news’ and assist our community in flourishing – both as individuals and as a collective.
I’m passionate about thinking and prayerfully considering different ways of being Church in an ever-changing culture – stepping out of the norms and being bold. I can’t help but wonder if God may be wanting to broaden our horizons and do something new amongst us.

I think the bride of Christ gets to look beautiful ... I am excited for this season in Northgate’s life, and the opportunity for us to hear from God together, and see this church community become ‘more beautiful’. I would count it a privilege to serve our church Whanau on eldership.