Our Leaders
Interim Lead Pastors
The Arise Board are happy to announce the appointment of Ben & Amy Kendrew as Interim Lead Pastors of Arise Church. Ben & Amy have been part of Arise since 2003 and in their time here as volunteers and staff they have been involved in a number of areas of church life. Ben & Amy have a pastor’s heart and deep love for people, and it is their commitment to do what they can to build a healthy church that bridges divides and brings reconciliation and unity – first to God and then one to another. Their desire is to faithfully serve people and trust that God has a great plan for his Church and for every person who wishes to call Arise home.
Leadership Team
Ben Kendrew
Interim Lead Pastor
Campus Pastor Lead
Amy Kendrew
Interim Lead Pastor
Head of Pillars and Generations
Shehan Joseph
Head of Services
Joe Bundy-Cooke
Hamilton Campus Pastor
Head of Hub 2 Campuses
Jess Bundy-Cooke
Hamilton Campus Pastor
Pastoral Care
Chris White
Wellington Campus Pastor
Kiran Patel
Transition and Change Manager
Our Board
John Robertson
Chair Person
John Robertson is an experienced organisational leader, business coach and SME entrepreneur. He has experience in incorporated society leadership and directorship, not-for-profit boards and church governance and leadership. John and whanau have been members of the ARISE community for 8 years and is dad to four adult children and 'Poppa' to two beautiful grandchildren.
Ben Kendrew
Trustee
Ben Kendrew has been appointed as a trustee to the board. His appointment brings to the board an executive trustee which will enhance the working relationship of the board with the leadership team, campus pastors and staff.
Dr. Alistair Papāli’i-Curtin
Trustee
Alistair is Samoan Pakeha with the matai title of Tofilau from Iva, Samoa. Alistair is a New Zealand trained medical specialist and is a practising consultant ophthalmologist in Wellington. Alistair has over 12 years of governance experience with national and international professional organisations and institutions. Alistair abides by the professional and governance codes of conduct of the NZ Medical Council as a registered doctor, and the NZ Institute of Directors as a member (MInstD). Alistair and his whānau have been part of the ARISE community for over five years and is dad to two young children.
Joe Bundy-Cooke
Trustee
Joe Bundy-Cooke is our current Hamilton Campus Pastor and was part of the original team that planted the campus in 2010. He and his wife Jess also pastored the Whangarei campus between 2016-2019. Supplementary to his role as a campus pastor, Joe also works with other pastors across ARISE to provide support and leadership. He has a diploma in Christian ministry with BCNZ and has been on staff at ARISE for almost 12 years. The Bundy-Cooke's have 3 precious children and have been in ministry for 16 years.
Rick Teal
Trustee
Rick is passionate about building God's house and seeing people grow a healthy relationship with their maker. Rick comes to the Arise board bringing experience in governance in many fields. Rick has worked as a business consultant and entrepreneur. He has previously served on non-profit boards in other community environments as well as having been involved on several corporate governance boards. Rick has been a member within the community of Arise for 19 years and has 4 children together with his wife Kellee.
Lenny Solomona
Trustee
Lenny Solomona is a member of Arise Church Hamilton. He and his wife Tai are the Directors of 1Touch Ministries. He is an itinerant minister, a personal trainer and the Director of Sports at Hamilton Christian School. Lenny is a graduate of the Elim Bible College (Auckland), FITnance Personal Training College (Brisbane) and John Maxwell Leadership (Florida). Lenny is passionate about adding value to people’s lives. He and Tai have three beautiful children and have been in ministry for 24 years.