Pastor Pete and his wife Janet have lived in Torbay since 2015 and love being here. Janet is a Plunket nurse and has also been an Air New Zealand stewardess. Before moving to Torbay Peter pastored for 19 years in Manurewa, 8 years at St Andrews Presbyterian and then 11 years at Covenant Presbyterian. Before that he ministered for two years in Christchurch and helped to plant the Grace Presbyterian Church in Ashburton. Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Philosophy from Monash University Melbourne Australia and a Bachelor of Theology (hons) from the Australian College of Theology. He enjoys explaining the great truths of the Gospel and loves to spend time helping people grapple with life’s challenges. In Australia, where he grew up, Peter has worked in offices, farms, factories, taxis and youth ministry. Having grown up on a farm he never likes to be too far from the great outdoors. He loves mountain biking, long tramps and reading books on his tablet. He plans to do the Wanganui river trip one day and if he wasn’t a Pastor would’ve dreamed of being a great blues guitarist.
David and Gretchen Bruner moved to Auckland from the U.S. in Jan 2017 to serve in ministry with Shore Pres. David grew up in North Carolina and went to University there before heading westward, serving in campus ministry in Colorado, and then going to seminary at Westminster California in San Diego. After he and Gretchen (a primary school teacher) were married in 2013, the Bruners were part of a Presbyterian Church in America church plants in San Diego and Seattle before being called to long-term ministry in NZ. David and Gretchen enjoy outdoor adventures, great conversations, swapping stories, and having a good hearty laugh with friends.
Paul, with his wife Karla and their 8 children, relocated to the North Shore to help start up Shore Pres. Prior to that, South Auckland was their home along with stints in Nelson and Malaysia. Paul’s childhood passion is also his job – flying planes. He enjoys conversing on world views and apologetics, and his interest in computers lends some assistance to his role as Shore Pres administrator (the same probably can’t be said for his being a long-term Sci Fi fan).
Malcolm and Cathy moved north from South Auckland in 2012 where they lived for 36 years. They have two adult sons; Matthew, who is married to Kathryn, and Mark. They also have a Grandson and Granddaughter. Malcolm is a Partner in an Engineering Company and has served in the NZ Navy. They are both interested in mission work - both local overseas and have lead 6 Short Terms mission teams to Japan. Malcolm is an Elder and in the past served as Mission Convenor at St. Andrews & Covenant Presbyterian Churches for 20 years. Since moving to the Shore Malcolm has become interested in Fishing and would like to take up Photography and also enjoys sport - Rugby, Cricket and Motor Racing. Cathy works as a Merchandiser and enjoys Gardening, Lead Light and Glass work. They both enjoy meeting and learning from people from other cultures. One of their passions is to see, and Lord willing be involved with, people from every nation coming into a living and vital relationship with our Lord and Saviour.
Ian and his wife Christine were married in 1979 and have lived on the North Shore since 1996. They have three adult children and two grand-children. Ian has worked as an architect for both central and local government agencies and in private practice. Today he works as a Senior Heritage Architect for Auckland Council, specialising in the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. Just to unwind in all of his spare time, he is also a Lecturer in Biblical Theology at Grace Theological College, Auckland, and serves on the leadership team for two Auckland churches. Ian holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Auckland University and a Master of Theology degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in St Louis.