Meet Our Team

Our Senior Leaders

Our Senior Leaders

Ps Luke & Melissa de Jong

Luke and his wife Melissa are the Senior Leaders of LIFE – a multi-campus church located in both New Zealand and Australia. They have a passion to see The Church continue to create environments where people belong, believe in Jesus and build their lives through activating their Kingdom purpose.

They are based in Auckland, New Zealand and have 3 children - Ruby, Bella and Cruz. Both Luke and Melissa love creating fun moments for their family and where possible, Luke loves to get in a round of golf while Melissa loves a new book.

Together, they love being able to lead LIFE into all that God has planned for the future of the church and playing a part in growing His Kingdom here on earth.

Our Founding Pastors

Our Founding Pastors

Ps Paul & Maree de Jong

Ps Paul and Maree founded LIFE in 1991 with a shared passion to strengthen the Church and empower people to live out their God-given calling. With a mandate to influence the wider Church, they travel globally, speaking into churches and leadership spaces with wisdom and faith.

Together, Paul and Maree minister across the global Church as sought-after speakers and leadership mentors. Paul carries a strong leadership and prophetic voice, speaking extensively at conferences and churches worldwide. He has hosted LIFE TV, sharing real stories of hope, and authored several books, including his latest, ButGod..., a personal reflection on navigating the unexpected..

Maree is a vibrant communicator with a heart to see women empowered in their calling. She hosts the annual Sistas Women’s Conference, which for over 20 years has impacted thousands across New Zealand and beyond. She is also the author of Diamond in the Dirt, sharing her powerful story of overcoming adversity.

Based in Auckland, New Zealand, Ps Paul and Maree are proud parents to three sons, blessed with beautiful daughters-in-law, and are loving grandparents

Our Lead Pastors

Our Lead Pastors

Ps Craig & Nadia Clark

Craig and Nadia have been in ministry at and called LIFE for over 20 years. They began as Youth and Young Adult Pastors, and with their love for the local church, this expanded to them leading within many areas of ministry over the years.

In 2013, God clearly spoke about leaving New Zealand and moving to Australia to lead, love and step into all God had in store for LIFE in Melbourne. 

The incredible people finding home and all God has done for over a decade and continues to do is nothing short of miraculous. Their love for the local church is only increasing and with three children they are having a lot of fun as they live to impact and change Melbourne and Australia with the reality of Jesus.

Our LIFE Melbourne Board

L-R: Nadia Clark, Craig Clark, David Doery, Sally Doery, Adrian Mazzocchetti, Brendan Michel, Paul Ferla

Craig and Nadia Clark are the Lead Pastors of LIFE Melbourne.

David and Sally Doery have served the local church for over 30 years, fulfilling a wide variety of leadership roles, including David’s 12-year tenure as a member of the ACC VIC State Executive.

Adrian Mazzocchetti is the Managing Director of Simple Biz and CEO of Cloud Servers Australia. He is married to Jasmine and has been involved at LIFE Melbourne since 2003.

Brendan Michel is the General Manager at LIFE Melbourne. He is married to Angela and has been involved at LIFE Melbourne since 2009.

Paul Ferla is the Director of Monty Precast. He is married to Rita and has been involved at LIFE Melbourne since 2013.

Our Global Eldership & Trust Board

Back row: Simon Manners, Paul Schnell, Caroline Quay, Earl Gasparich, Scott Thornton, Strahan Wallis, Caroline Wood


Front row: Maree de Jong, Luke de Jong, Melissa de Jong, Paul de Jong

Our 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.

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. 

Ps Steve Kelly

Ps Steve Kelly

Senior Pastor
Wave Church
(Virginia Beach, USA)

Ps Dino Rizzo

Ps Dino Rizzo

Executive Director
Association of Related Churches
(Birmingham, USA)

Ps Mark Varughese

Ps Mark Varughese

Senior Leader
Kingdomcity Church
(Perth, Australia)

Ps Joel Holm

Ps Joel Holm

CEO
Pathfinder International
(California, USA)