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Our Team
Meet our National Church staff team.
Rev. Brett Jones
National Superintendent
Rev. Brett Jones has served as National Superintendent since November 2020. He is currently the Senior Minister at East City Wesleyan in East Auckland. serving in this role since February 2023.
Brett and his wife Kristen have been part of 5 church plants – 3 as participants including East City Wesleyan (2000), Watermark (Wesleyan), Grand Haven, Michigan (2003) and cession|community (2004) and 2 as part of sending churches.
In his former life he worked as a lawyer and holds an MBA from Henley Management College. He worked as a strategic consultant to churches and faith-based organisations through MUSE Strategic Consulting from 2002 - 2019.
Brett loves to cook and is mastering the art of outdoor cooking in his wood fired pizza oven! He is a sports fanatic who never misses All Blacks or Black Caps games and will watch most anything competitive. Brett is an avid reader, music lover and “endurer” of exercise.
Rev. Peter Benzie
Director of Operations
Rev. Atu Lagi
Assistant National Superintendent
Rev. Atunaisa (Atu) Drokanawai Lagi is the Senior Pastor at The Streams Community Church in Panmure Auckland and Assistant National Superintendent of WMCANZ.
Atu is also the Regional Secretary World Methodist Evangelism / South Pacific Region • A pastor, Evangelist, Teacher and function in the fivefold ministry • A heart and passion to serve the community • Executive chair of the South Pacific Board Walk through the Bible Ministry • Pasifika Matua Council board member (Kia Puiwai NGO) • Chaplin at Pasifika Media • Board member of Open-Air Pacific Mission • Board member & International leadership team P2Nations mission • Pasifika Ministers association member (Course Collectives) • Auckland Church Leaders • Maungakiekie Minsters Association • Bible Leadership Training Board NZ (International Bible school- ICC)
Atu is married to Frances, and they have three children and five grandchildren Atu and Frances studied at Laidlaw College. Frances with a Bachelor’s in counselling and Atu with a Diploma in Biblical Studies, Bachelor of Ministry, and part time MBS.
Rev. Peter Benzie
Director of Operations
Rev. Peter Benzie BA, BAppTheol, MTH, has served as Director of Operations (aka National
Secretary) from the close of the 2010 National Conference. In his role he enjoys using his
God-given talents, skills and abilities to provide leadership on the operational aspects of the
work of the church at local, national and international levels.
Peter says he feels he’s achieved his call when a Minister / Leader knows how to lead these operational areas to help achieve the mission that God has given their church.
Peter’s primary ministry is as Lead Minister to Redoubt North Wesleyan, a congregation in
South Auckland not far from where he grew up in Otara. As a Local Church Minister Peter’s
aim is to lead the people God has entrusted him to shepherd so that they use their gifts,
abilities and talents where and how God calls them to.
Peter enjoys spending as much time as possible with his 4 children and 4 grandchildren, and
is keen on DIY.
National Leadership Team
Rev. Stephenie Couch
Director of Next Generation
Michelle Yates
Director of Global Missions
Rev. Melissa Powell
Director of Ministerial Formation
Rev. Mike Yates
Director of Multiplication
Kerrin Thomson
National Treasurer
Rev. Jo Verkerk
Director of Church Health
National Council
Rev. Brett Jones, Mr Michael Bright, Rev. Denise Barrington, Mrs Alison Low, Miss Mele-Keiti Fonua, Ms. Samantha Tan-Rodrigo, Rev. Peter Benzie, Rev. Rudyard Alejo, Rev. Atu Lagi (absent),
Mr Kerrin Thomson (absent).
National Superintendent Emeritus
Rev. Dr Richard Waugh