TE AWA — THE RIVER
“…I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple…where the river flows everything will live.” Ezekiel 47: v 1 + 9
Nau Mai,
Haere Mai.
We are a family of churches across Northland (Te Tai Tokerau), part of the C3 global movement, united in our commitment to Jesus and to seeing lives changed through His love, power and grace.
We love Northland and are passionate about creating welcoming spaces where people encounter God, grow in faith, and find genuine community.
Meet the whānau & leaders
at our churches.
Hokianga
Ps Jade and Kelli-Asta Baker
After the loss of our beloved daughter Nikita in 2022, our faith in Christ has continued to sustain and strengthen us. Our passion is to share the hope we have found in Him and to see lives transformed as we mentor and equip others in their faith.
Kaikohe
Ps Bevan and Apina Rodger
We’re driven by a heart to serve and a vision to see the people of Kaikohe thrive. There is still so much untapped potential in this amazing town, and we are excited for the journey ahead. Come and find hope in Jesus.
Kaitāia
Our new church in Kaitāia is coming soon!
Our Senior Leaders.
Trent and Jade Membrey are the senior leaders of Te Awa. Married with four children, they are passionate about people and the life-changing power of Jesus.
Their story reflects the grace of God, having been rescued from addiction and gang life. Together, Trent and Jade have pastored multiple campuses and ministries within C3 Auckland, including planting C3 Whangārei in 2018.
Today, they lead Te Awa Church and also minister itinerantly throughout New Zealand and Australia.
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink… rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7: 37-39
Our Vision
We are a Christ-centred, Spirit-powered, and Connect-driven church that exists to reach, restore and release whānau across Te Tai Tokerau.
Reach.
Compelled by compassion.
We are called to go where others won’t — to seek out the lost, love the broken, and shine light into the darkest places. Every person matters. Every soul is seen.
“When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion on them, because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” — Matthew 9:36
Restore.
Healing what’s been lost.
Jesus doesn’t just save — He restores. At Te Awa, we believe in restoration of families, identity, purpose, and health. The gospel rebuilds what life has broken.
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord. — Jeremiah 30:17
“I will restore to you the years that the locusts have devoured.” — Joel 2:25
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
Release.
Empowered to go.
We exist to equip and release passionate Jesus-followers into every sphere of life. From Northland to the nations, we go — filled, sent, and sustained by His Spirit.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10
“Go and make disciples of all nations… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:18–20
Our Statement of Faith
1. There is one God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
2. In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God; we believe in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His victorious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, His constant intercession, and in His imminent return.
3. In the person and work of the Holy Spirit, with His fruits and gifts available in the Church; The Bible is the living word of God. It is infallible, authoritative, everlasting, and is the foundation of all Christian doctrine.
4. In the existence of an evil spiritual being known as the devil.
5. In the spiritually lost condition of all people and the essential need for the new birth by faith in Jesus Christ.
6. In the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a gift available to believers subsequent to the new birth, with normal evidence of speaking in other tongues.
7. In the sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and baptism by full immersion in water for all believers.
8. In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting separation from God.
9. In the church being the body of Christ, and each member being an active part of a local church, fulfilling the Great Commission.