Meet our people
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or need assistance.
Minister
Reverend Grant Ridout
Rev. Grant went from Primary School teaching, to youth pastoring into being a ‘big persons’ Minister. He is the father of four energetic boys and the husband of one gorgeous wife (Hope). He loves, justice, mercy and Jesus Christ and all things vintage (especially suitcases) and coffee.
Session Clerk
Denise Hunter
Denise is our session clerk. Married to Craig with two adult children (and one son-in-law). Denise has worked at Tear Fund and has a heart for social justice. She lives in the Waitakere ranges, but is never far away if needs call.
Children and Families Worker
Hope Ridout
Her favourite things in life are spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, music and dance. Married to Grant with four boys means she doesn’t sit down much and will occasionally be found upside down in a handstand position. Her background is in employment support in mental health and her degree is in psychology. Hope loves Jesus and being a friend to others.
Elder Peti Ne’emia
Peti is an early childhood teacher and loves children. You will hear her infectious laugh before you see her. She is a dynamo who always finds the positive in things and always talks and sings of her love for God.
Elder Gerhard Sundborn
Dr. Gerhard has those fancy letters after his name and is a senior lecturer in Pacific Health at The University of Auckland, and the master-mind behind the FIZZ (fighting sugar in soft drinks) movement. He is the father to four gorgeous children and husband to Miriam. He comes from a Rugby-league obsessed family that has been a part of the wider Ponsonby area for decades.
Elder Phillippa McKeown-Green
Phillippa also works at The University of Auckland as a librarian in the music department. She is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to music and plays a mean flute. Between her and her late husband, philosophy scholar and musician Johnathon McKeown-Green, she has amassed a collection of classic, rare and fascinating musical instruments (including a much sought after 69’ Rhodes Suitcase EP).
Board of Managers Craig Hunter
Craig sorts out the finances of the church. He’s a solid, hard-working, salt-of-the-Earth guy who enjoys a good joke and a nice glass of red.
Board of Managers Sandra Guttenbeil
Sandy, sandzz or Sandra. Her many nicknames display her warm and approachable nature. Sandy loves singing and if she’s not home or at church then she’s very likely to be at karaoke somewhere around town. Sandy has an empathetic heart and is always as keen as mustard to try new things.
