Governance
Meet Our Team
LIFE has always believed strongly in the value of leadership as modelled in the Bible. As a result, we have established specific responsibilities and accountabilities ensuring that there is always an appropriate layer of oversight for authority and protection.
The key layers of our church oversight are:
• Senior Leaders
• Executive Team
• Eldership
• Trust Board
• Spiritual Advisors
Each person serving as part of our church oversight is individually committed to the heart of LIFE and has the callings, giftings and Christ-centred lifestyles as set out by scripture.
Senior Leaders
LIFE is lead by Senior Leaders, Pastors Luke and Melissa de Jong.
Executive Team
Under the direction of the Senior Leaders is our Executive Team. They are responsible to carry out the effective day-to-day management and functioning of LIFE across its four areas of focus: Church, Community, Business and Kingdom.
The Executive Team is made up of: Ps Luke de Jong; Ps Scott Thornton; Paul Schnell; Ps Tim Segedin; Nick Edwards; Jamie Wong; Matt Linton.
Eldership & Trust Board
In turn, the Senior Leaders and Executive Team are supported by our Eldership. The Eldership’s role is to provide spiritual covering and support through prayer, wisdom and prophetic insight.
Our Trust Board functions as a further layer of protection in terms of key decisions affecting LIFE. Trustees are appointed by the Senior Leaders and the Eldership, and also serve as Elders themselves.
They oversee the legal, financial, and health & safety obligations of LIFE, and are responsible for decisions around major asset purchases, funding, and annual budget sign-off.
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Back Row (left to right): Simon Manners, Paul Schnell, Caroline Quay, Earl Gasparich, Ps Scott Thornton, Strahan Wallis, and Caroline Wood
Front Row (left to right): Ps Maree de Jong, Ps Luke de Jong, Ps Melissa de Jong, and Ps Paul de Jong
Simon Manners
Simon Manners is a Spinal Surgeon at Ormiston Hospital and has called LIFE home since 2005.
Paul Schnell
Paul Schnell is the General Manager at LIFE and has been an integral part of LIFE since 2006.
Caroline Quay
Caroline Quay is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Caramed Capital and has called LIFE home since 1993.
Earl Gasparich
Earl Gasparich is the Chief Executive Officer at Metlifecare and has called LIFE home since 1999.
Ps Scott Thornton
Ps Scott Thornton is the Lead Pastor at LIFE and has been an integral part of LIFE since 2004.
Strahan Wallis
Strahan Wallis is a Board Director and Communications Consultant and has called LIFE home since 2000.
Caroline Wood
Caroline Wood is the People Pathways Oversight at LIFE and has called LIFE home since 1998.
Spiritual Advisors
Strengthening our governance and providing another layer of oversight and accountability are our Spiritual Advisors. These are well-respected senior leaders with globally significant ministries.
Ps Steve Kelly
Senior Pastor
Wave Church
Virginia Beach, USA
Ps Dino Rizzo
Executive Director
Association of Related Churches
Birmingham, USA
Ps Mark Varughese
Senior Leader
Kingdomcity Church
Perth, Australia
Joel Holm
CEO
Pathfinder International
California, USA
Our Spiritual Advisors may be called upon for advice and recommendations by the Eldership Team on matters of accountability relating to the Senior Leader and may also be called upon by the Senior Leader for any major decisions regarding LIFE’s direction.
Our Elders ultimately appoint and may remove the Senior Leaders with the support of and a unanimous recommendation of our Spiritual Advisors.