Martin Armstrong
Senior Pastor
Martin is married to Helen and they have three adult children: Rebekah, Jessica and Timothy. Martin was a career secondary school teacher before going into full-time pastoral ministry in 2000. He has ministered in Tauranga for 13 years and Azerbaijan for 3 years. He is excited about the next chapter in Taupo. Martin is an adventurer with a love for travel, exploration and sport . He and his family have also lived in Niue Island and in Brunei on the Island of Borneo.
Martin has observed the tangible difference the Christian faith makes in an individuals life, a family, a community and a city. He sees the church as an extended family that helps and equips each other and reaches out to others with the love of Jesus Christ.
Martin is married to Helen and they have three adult children: Rebekah, Jessica and Timothy. Martin was a career secondary school teacher before going into full-time pastoral ministry in 2000. He has ministered in Tauranga for 13 years and Azerbaijan for 3 years. He is excited about the next chapter in Taupo. Martin is an adventurer with a love for travel, exploration and sport . He and his family have also lived in Niue Island and in Brunei on the Island of Borneo.
Martin has observed the tangible difference the Christian faith makes in an individuals life, a family, a community and a city. He sees the church as an extended family that helps and equips each other and reaches out to others with the love of Jesus Christ.
Wendy Emsley
Church Community
Wendy, with her husband Chris, shifted from Christchurch to Taupo in 1995 with their then 4 year old son Daniel. Prior to commencing her role at TBC, Wendy worked as a mental health nurse both in community and hospital settings. One of her main passions is to see people on the fringes become connected to a faith community and because of her background in working with those who suffer from mental illness she has a special place in her heart for those who are disabled in some way. She loves meeting people from other cultures and has a particular interest in Maori culture with which she identifies. Interests outside of work include walking her dog Pepe and gardening.
Wendy, with her husband Chris, shifted from Christchurch to Taupo in 1995 with their then 4 year old son Daniel. Prior to commencing her role at TBC, Wendy worked as a mental health nurse both in community and hospital settings. One of her main passions is to see people on the fringes become connected to a faith community and because of her background in working with those who suffer from mental illness she has a special place in her heart for those who are disabled in some way. She loves meeting people from other cultures and has a particular interest in Maori culture with which she identifies. Interests outside of work include walking her dog Pepe and gardening.
Karen Collins
Children's Leader
Karen attended a Presbyterian country church, in Central Hawkes Bay before moving to Taupo in 1990. Karen was baptisted at the Taupo Baptist Church in 1992. Karen is married to Kevin and they have two children, Alexander and Cara. Karen became a member of the Taupo Baptist Church in 2011. Karen has been involved in the children’s ministry since 2011, where she helped in Kindy kids, then followed into The Base. Karen is a volunteer administration assistant at the Taupo Baptist Church on Mondays and Tuesdays. Karen has loved working with children, she helps with mainly music, leads a brownies group of girls.
Karen attended a Presbyterian country church, in Central Hawkes Bay before moving to Taupo in 1990. Karen was baptisted at the Taupo Baptist Church in 1992. Karen is married to Kevin and they have two children, Alexander and Cara. Karen became a member of the Taupo Baptist Church in 2011. Karen has been involved in the children’s ministry since 2011, where she helped in Kindy kids, then followed into The Base. Karen is a volunteer administration assistant at the Taupo Baptist Church on Mondays and Tuesdays. Karen has loved working with children, she helps with mainly music, leads a brownies group of girls.
Bryce Millar
Youth Pastor
Bryce grew up here in Taupo, mostly in the Scannell / Spa Rd area. He was involved in the youth ministry here at the Baptist Church as a young person and a volunteer leader before finishing school and went to Carey Baptist College to study theology & pastoral leadership. While in Auckland Bryce was the youth pastor in a local church for 4 years. During that time he married his beautiful wife Carol, who is also a Taupo local and is now an early childhood teacher. They both love being back near their families and both love the lake for swimming and the mountains for snowboarding. Bryce loves reading and learning more about history, enjoys constructing delicious dinners and possesses an excellent sword collection. Bryce also loves to see young people stepping out into the life that Jesus has for them, enthusiastic lives of justice and mercy.
Bryce grew up here in Taupo, mostly in the Scannell / Spa Rd area. He was involved in the youth ministry here at the Baptist Church as a young person and a volunteer leader before finishing school and went to Carey Baptist College to study theology & pastoral leadership. While in Auckland Bryce was the youth pastor in a local church for 4 years. During that time he married his beautiful wife Carol, who is also a Taupo local and is now an early childhood teacher. They both love being back near their families and both love the lake for swimming and the mountains for snowboarding. Bryce loves reading and learning more about history, enjoys constructing delicious dinners and possesses an excellent sword collection. Bryce also loves to see young people stepping out into the life that Jesus has for them, enthusiastic lives of justice and mercy.
Jacky Gartner
Administration
Jacky is married to Doug and they have been members of the church since 1988. Jacky came to faith as an adult after facing a health crisis in her life and was baptised in April 1988 at Rotorua Baptist. She loves learning and has completed many Christian courses over the years including David Riddell Counselling and recently a preaching course. She has been involved in pastoral care and visiting over many years at the church. She has been involved in cancer support for many years. Previous to this position, Jacky was an administrator at Liston Heights Rest Home and Hospital for 5 years and a coach at Curves Women Gym.
Jacky is married to Doug and they have been members of the church since 1988. Jacky came to faith as an adult after facing a health crisis in her life and was baptised in April 1988 at Rotorua Baptist. She loves learning and has completed many Christian courses over the years including David Riddell Counselling and recently a preaching course. She has been involved in pastoral care and visiting over many years at the church. She has been involved in cancer support for many years. Previous to this position, Jacky was an administrator at Liston Heights Rest Home and Hospital for 5 years and a coach at Curves Women Gym.
