Category: Staff

  Clergy    Vestry  Staff

Rev Michael Brantley

Michael has a long history working with leadership and transformational organisational change.  Beginning life as a combat officer and commander, while living a life following Jesus and loving others (often his soldiers) to Christ in life on life journey shared, he was called into ministry while serving at a Jesuit University in Seattle.  With ministry in youth, young adult and mission engaging secular people unreachable by conventional church contexts, he went onto as a missionary empowering, coaching and equipping leaders in following Christ as leaders, planting new fresh expressions of faith communities (churches) and revitalising existing churches.  After a long season called from Wellington to New Orléans after Hurricane Katrina, he and the family returned to NZ and served in several roles in the diocese, including parishes, before coming to St Chris’ in 2019.  Continuing to lead through our change and posturing as a disciple making church, Michael focuses on the empowerment of leaders to do this, and developing especially the next generations for our parish.  Michael is a member of Diocesan Standing Committee (Cabinet for Synod out of session for governance and counsel to the Bishop), and ADMSC (Anglican Diocese Ministry Staff Committee, governance for the Anglican Centre and its ministries).

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Rev Michael Brantley
  Clergy    Vestry  Staff

Rev Dr John Fox

John, native Christchurch lad, who while teaching at Auckland University in Literature heard a call to pursue ordination as a priest.  Leaving his career and being ordained, he was a curate at Sumner Parish, where he was beloved and he loved.  John became the Lead University Chaplain at UC in 2021 where he services half time and serves with us half time, which is actually about 75% each role!

Surprisingly one of John’s greatest gifts is with the senior members of the parish.  John’s keen grasp on words and concepts, he is a keen communicator and an invaluable asset supporting Michael and making the vision reality.

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Rev Dr John Fox
Staff

Jack Hollis

Jack leads our Oasis Ministry (Children’s Ministry on Sunday Mornings during 10.30am Services), does 24/7 Youth Work at Merrin School and helps lead a life group for Forge (secondary youth ministry).  Jack is studying at Laidlaw College for a degree in theology.  Further, Jack leads the Junior Trek (School years 1-4) in our Holiday Programmes.

Contact:

Jack Hollis
Staff

Emma McBride

Emma McBride has grown up in the church, and has been and is heavily involved in music and theatre at a noted level in the city.  As well as serving in our worship team, Emma joined the staff as the parish administrator in 2021, bringing a great energy and joy to the office engaging across the challenges faced by this role.

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Emma McBride
Staff

Barbara Price

Barbara has long been a part of St Christophers.  After many years in the financial industry, she joined the church and divides her time caring for our church and overseeing a gymnastics gym.  Her entire family is involved in the church, and she has a ministry mind far wider than our finances!

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Barbara Price
Staff

Miriam McFie

Miriam, having grown up in our ministry, is our intermediate leader for both Sundays and Thursdays.  She also leads our Senior Track (years 5-8) of our holiday programme and is studying at Laidlaw Bible College.  Miriam’s kind but fun spirit with experience leading in children’s and the holiday programme as she matured into these roles, gives her solid foundation for her roles now!

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Miriam McFie
Staff

Jay Brantley

Jay is our secondary (The Forge) youth pastor.  After a season rebirthing intermediates and doing 24/7 Youth Work (which he continues at Westburn School), he’s changed to leading secondary.  He also is studying at Laidlaw Bible College, as well as adventure Christian camping with Scripture Union.  Jay has also invested in developing our Holiday Programme for intermediate age.  Prior to St Chris’ Jay had several years in youth ministry and leading a life group of peers with his peers in the Wellington Diocese and studying at Massey in Palmerston North.  Jay is engaged to Dani (an experienced youth leader in her own right!).

Contact:

Jay Brantley