Staff
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
The Hope Church staff help to serve the mission and ministries of the church, underneath the pastoral leadership of the Elders.
Contact any of the staff below on staff@hopechurch.org.nz or by calling the office.
Allen Carbon
Allen has led our Ignite Teenage ministry since 2024 as our Youth Co-Ordinator, providing leadership to the team of volunteers. Married to Michaela, Allen leads an amazing team and is hugely loved by our teens.
An avid rock-climber, Allen has a heart to grow community amongst the young people of our region and also helps us with our social media at Hope. Contact Allen about serving or attending our Tuesday night Ignite program.
Antoinette irvine
Antoinette serves in a dual role at Hope: Women’s Pastor and Worship Director. Since joining the staff in 2005, Antoinette has become known for her wisdom, her compassion, and her ability to bring God’s truth to the situations of life.
If you want to be part of the worship team or women’s ministries, grab a coffee with Antoinette. She is highly valued amongst the staff team and wider church. Antoinette is married to Grant, and they have three grown sons, and two daughters in law, and four very loved grandchildren.
daryl Bay
Daryl joined the staff team in 2007 as our Teaching Pastor, and became our Lead Pastor in 2019. Daryl plays a key role in strategic leadership, preaching, teaching and discipleship. Daryl married up big time - his wife Julie is very involved in discipleship and pastoral care, and together they share a deep love for God’s Word and God’s people.
You’ll often hear Daryl bringing the Word in our Sunday services, with a passion for God’s grace and the freedom it offers. And don’t get Daryl talking about diving/fishing/hunting – you might not get away. Daryl and Julie have three teenage sons.
DAvE HArris
Dave serves as our CAP Debt Centre Manager, based at Hope Church. Dave has a huge heart for our wider community, and particularly for those struggling with financial and economic challenges. With a former life in Agricultural Banking, it’s hard to find someone better for financial and practical wisdom.
One of Dave’s favorite verses is 1 John 4:20: How can we say we love God who we have not seen, if we do not love our brother who we have seen? Dave is married to Ang, and they have three grown daughters, three sons in law, and three grandchildren.
Donald Irvine
Donald is our much-loved Shepherding Pastor. Together with his wife May, Donald has served in leadership at Hope for over fifty years, much of that time as our Senior Pastor.
At one time a shepherd of sheep, now a shepherd of God’s people, Donald is known for his joy, love and Biblical wisdom. Donald and May have four grown children and are proud grandparents of nine grandies. We are blessed to have them leading our pastoral care and visitation.
Jo BORlase
Born and raised at Hope, Jo has served in Global Mission for most of her life, currently investing in the Philippines in a role that she is able to do remotely. Alongside this, Jo serves Hope in a part-time staff role, cleaning and stewarding the facility at Hope.
Jo’s work allows the facility to be enjoyed by the church family and our many regular community guests. We are so grateful for Jo’s example and character amongst us.
Kristen Fryer
Hope’s pre-schoolers are truly loved, as Kristen provides leadership to our preschool ministry and the team of volunteers. This ministry helps nurture our children in faith, provides a space for them to belong and love church, and is often a place where families and parents connect for the first time.
Originally from the States, Kristen is married to Mark (who also serves on the Hope staff) and they have three children. Connect with Kristen about the care of your children in creche.
LISA RUTLEDGE
Lisa keeps things humming at Hope, using her design, administration and communication skills to bless the whole church family. Talk to Lisa about how you can serve or keep up to date with all regular church communications.
Lisa came to faith through school friends inviting her to church, and she has a massive heart to help others find the love and belonging of community that Jesus offers. Lisa is Mum to three teenage children.
Mark Fryer
Mark became our Connections Pastor in 2017, bringing with him a decade of experience pastoring a church in the rural Waikato. Mark oversees small groups, the staff team, and is involved in many of the ministries that help to connect people at Hope Church.
Mark has a wonderful way of helping people connect - to God, to each other, and to all the things going on at Hope Church. If you are new, you’ll want to have a chat to him. Mark is married to Kristen, who he met while studying in the USA, and they have three children.
Melvyn Nicholls
Melvyn is the Finance Manager at Hope Church, and will help you with everything you need to know about giving and supporting the mission and ministries of Hope Church.
Melvyn, with his wife Sally, immigrated from the UK in 2007. Melvyn previously served as our Operations Manager.
Paul Denny
Paul became our Executive Manager in early 2025. Paul’s time goes into the management of the great facility at Ranzau Road, and into executive support to Daryl and our senior leaders. His background in building, insurance and church leadership means he improves pretty much everything he touches!
Paul is married to Sony, and they have three young adults/teenagers. One more word that describes Paul: golf.
SONY DENNY
Sony is our dynamo Pastoral Care Co-Ordinator. She loves people! Sony is passionate to help people journey into wholeness in Christ, and to connect deeply with each other. As Co-Ordinator, Sony works to cultivate care at every level of the church, encouraging the whole Hope Family to do the mahi of love.
Sony is married to Paul and they have three young adults/teenagers. If you’re hurting, or wanting to grow in how you can help others, Sony is a great first person to talk to.
Steven Polglase
Steven joined the staff in 2018 and became our Children’s Pastor in 2019 – overseeing all the ministries of our primary and intermediate aged children.
Steven is a local lad who left the region for a few years and returned with a degree in Education, a wife (Ruth)…and now they have three children. As you’ll quickly find out, Steven is ridiculously good at connecting with children, a master at communicating God’s truth creatively, and loves helping all ages grow in their knowledge of God’s amazing love.