East Auckland City Seventh-day
Adventist Church
MEET OUR TEAM LEADERS
This Page Is Under Construction
With Jesus as our example, we are honored to lead, guide,
and sacrifice for the East Auckland City church community.
Reflecting God’s Love, Advancing God’s Kingdom
Pastor Tehuiarii Leverd
Pastor Tehuiarii Leverd is our Pastor at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Since 2013, I have been privileged to serve God in ministry, leading discipleship for Children, Youth, Women, and Family Ministries at the Seventh-day Adventist Mission of French Polynesia from 2015 to 2021. Now, I am blessed to continue my pastoral calling with the North New Zealand Conference, where I eagerly pursue new opportunities to foster spiritual growth and community.
Sister Saru Ndlovu
Sister Saru Ndlovu is the Leader of our Deaconesses at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
My name is Saru Ndlovu, and I praise the Lord for His many blessings and for the opportunity to serve in His vineyard.
I am a married woman blessed with two wonderful daughters, and I give all glory to God for them. I am also the proud grandmother of two lovely grandsons whom I love dearly. When I reflect on God’s goodness and favour in my life, I often ask, “What can I render to the Lord for all His blessings?”
As I serve as Head Deaconess and Women’s Ministries Leader, I continually see God’s grace at work. I know that I cannot do this work in my own strength; it is only through Him that I am able to serve. I stand firmly on His promise in Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Elder Jay Crichton
Elder Jay is the Leader of our Youth Ministry at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
As a leader in His body I am humbled and unworthy, but grateful to be used for His glory, and salvation of man
My walk: Each morning I hunger for His presence and will. Each day I desire to Salt the Earth by reflecting His character. Each night I’m grateful and cry for His mercies that He graciously gives. I’m in a saving relationship with Him.
Youth ministry vision: Is to grow and equip this generation in the blessed work to hasten His coming. To ignite the hearts and spread the gospel like wild fire.
Sister Jodi Reid
Sister Jodi Reid is the Leader of our Health Ministry at East Auckland City Church.
I’ve been a registered nurse for nearly 20 years, serving in cardiac, surgical, practice nursing, and the cath lab. Nursing has been more than a career — it has been a way the Lord has taught me to care, listen, and serve people in their most vulnerable moments. Over the years, I’ve seen that true healing is never just physical — it touches the heart, mind, and spirit and points us to our Great Physician.
My heart for health ministry grew as I saw how practical care can open doors for connection, hope, and discipleship. Through training at the Wildwood School of Health Evangelism and service in Guatemala, Venezuela, Vanuatu, and café outreach in Australia, I’ve learned that even the simplest acts of service, reflecting God’s love, can encourage and restore faith and hope in the lives of others.
The goal of the Health Ministry is to connect with our church, families, and local community, using health to care for the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — and ultimately point hearts to Jesus. Through practical support, education, and relational outreach, every act of service or conversation is an opportunity to trust Him and allow His work to bear fruit in the lives of those we serve.
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Elder Tafadzwa & Sister Charlene Shahwe
Elder Taffy and Sister Charlene Shahwe Directors of Pathfinder Club at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
They met in England 2002, got married in 2005 (20years)
Serving in this ministry is a calling that comes from our Father above and we plan to serve Him and the Pathfinder Ministry wholeheartedly and passionately. We are blessed with 2 amazing children 1 girl and 1 boy. We all work together in this ministry. Our daughter is Junior Counsellor and our son a pathfinder. It is an honour to be chosen to lead the club considering that we only recently moved to NZ 2023.
We continue to pray for God to lead us and equip us with his Wisdom to work in his Kingdom. Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus".
Brother Samuelu Crichton
Brother Samuelu Crichton is the Health and Safety Officerat East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
My name is Samuelu Crichton, born and raised in Samoa. I was baptised into the Seventh-day Adventist Church at East Auckland in 2023.
For more than 20 years, I worked shift work at Air New Zealand. I went to church on Sundays when I could, and I thought my life was on the right track.
But everything changed the day my son asked me, “Dad, what are you doing about your salvation?”
That question opened the door for God to show me His truth. Through Scripture and the Holy Spirit, I realised there was a deeper light and a deeper calling waiting for me.
I thank God that He did not leave me in my ignorance but lovingly led me into His truth.
My life is not perfect, but my God is. Today, I hold onto my Saviour’s hands and follow Him humbly, with joy and gratitude.
I am blessed to walk this journey with my wife of 40 years, serving together at East Auckland SDA as the Head Deacon and Health & Safety Officer.
And I invite you:
“Come, my brothers and sisters.”
Your heavenly citizenship has already been paid for—long before you were born.
Galatians 3:13/Kalatia 3:13
Stewardship Leader
Sister Sue Ah-Young is our Stewardship Leader at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Stewardship is an important role within the church, I am honoured and humble to be called to disciple our church members into faithful stewardship of time and talents, remembering that each of us should use whatever gift we have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace (1Peter 4:10)
Elder Fitu Ah-Young
Elder Fitu Ah-Young serves as Head Elder at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
A second-generation Seventh-day Adventist, he was baptised in Christchurch in 1984 by Pastor Sioutu Okesene and appointed into eldership in Wellington in 2001.
He was appointed Head Elder at East Auckland in 2023 and is grateful to continue serving in this role for a new two-year term from 2026, with a strong focus on discipleship, pastoral care, and Christ-centred mission.
Elder Fitu and his wife Sue have been married for 39 years and share a deep love for serving together in ministry, valuing families, relationships, and life-on-life discipleship. They are blessed with their children Brittany and Jarreau (parents of Kairo, 4, and Remy, 6 months), Monica & TJ, and Brandon, along with their much-loved Chow Chow dog, Evee.
In alignment with the vision of the Northern New Zealand Conference and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Elder Fitu is committed to being part of a church that makes disciples, grows disciples, and sends disciples.
Elder Ulutoa Alofia
Elder Ulutoa Alofia is the Leader of our Men's Ministry at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Born and raised in Western Sydney, Australia, I was brought up in the Church. However, behind closed doors was a broken home filled with violence and abuse. In a way I was that lost coin that was lost inside my home and church. It caused me to find comfort and acceptance in the street's crime and prison.
Fast forward to twenty years later, I am married to my beautiful wife for 18 years this year. We were married on the 26/1/2008. We have a beautiful family of six children. Two boys and four girls. By the Grace of God, I broke the cycle of verbal and physical abuse that was instilled in me as a child.
I am blessed to have also been gifted by God with a voice, which allows me to share and worship Him through music.
As Mighty Men of God called and set aside for such a time as this to be priesthoods in our homes, building strong Altars of Worship within Homes Anointed and Charged by the father to minister to the First Church - The Family and flowing into the bigger family, the Church, and into the Community, This is my vision for the Men's Ministry.
Jesus is Coming Soon.
Sister Yolande Serfontein
Sister Yolande Serfontein is the Leader of our Children's Ministry at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
“Your sons and daughters are younger members of God’s family. He has committed them to your care, to train and educate for heaven.” - Ellen G.White
Children are a beautiful gift from God, and caring for them is a joy I hold close to my heart. As the Children’s Ministries Leader, I feel truly blessed to serve our little ones and to walk with them as they begin their journey being a disciple for Jesus.
Sister Nancy Tanuvasa-Jenkin
Sister Nancy Tanuvasa-Jenkin is the Leader of our Sabbath School at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
My dad was a Catholic, and my mum was Methodist. Mum was a prayer warrior and taught us children to pray right from the young age.
I moved to NZ when as a teenager to have a better life.
Many years later I met R J, and we got married in 1996.
We then moved to Napier. In 1999. I visited Napier SDA and they showed Pastor Doug Batchelor, President of the Amazing Facts Ministry, hosting a Millennium of Prophecy Evangelism Series, the End Time Message. I was baptised at the end of this series.
I have experience in children’s ministry, worship co-ordinator, leading women’s ministry, and now as the Sabbath School Superintendent.
I believe it is God’s calling as Jeremiah 33:3 says: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
We moved back to Auckland and my husband got baptised in 2007 at ROCSDA.
In 2023 I was re-baptised and there is nothing else better than serving God willingly.
We enjoy digging deep into the WORD together. We also go to small town churches to share the WORD of GOD. PTL
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Sister Toia Aivale
Sister Toia Aivale is the Director of our Adventurers at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Serving in the Adventurers ministry is a sacred blessing that I receive with a grateful heart. I see this role not as an assignment, but as a calling from God Himself. In His mercy, He has entrusted me with the spiritual care of young Adventurers, allowing me to guide, nurture, and point them to Jesus. I am especially thankful to serve alongside my sisters in Christ—faithful women who labor together in love, prayer, and unity for the spiritual growth of these precious children. Jesus tenderly reminds us, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). Through Adventurers, seeds of faith are planted early, helping children learn to trust Jesus, cherish His Word, and feel His presence in their lives. Ellen G. White writes, “The work done for Christ in our little ones will be found again when the books are opened” (Child Guidance, p. 519). This truth humbles me. As Proverbs 22:6 encourages us to train a child in God’s ways, I pray that our service will honor Him. Serving in Adventurers deepens my faith as we lovingly plant seeds, trusting God to bring the increase and prepare young hearts for His kingdom.
Elder John Mata'afa
Elder John Mata'afa is the Literature Evangelist at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God spoke His word and everything was created! In Isaiah 55:11 Jesus tells us “So shall my Word be which goes forth from My mouth it shall not return to me void. It shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it!” Jesus’ word’s raised Lazarus from the dead and heals millions of people every day!
Literature Evangelism and Ministry is sharing God’s powerful and healing Word’s through truth filled literature with everyone! We share by giving and selling God’s truth filled literature from little tracts and pamphlets to books and to sets of books and of course Holy Bibles too. This literature will enter into homes and God by the Holy Spirit will impress and bless people in those homes to read His Word and be moved to come to Jesus and get to know how much Jesus loves and cares for them!
Literature Ministry is for everyone because everyone can pass a little piece of truth filled paper or a little truth filled book to anyone! Who knows what God can do with one little tract or book? What He did with a few fish and a few loaves He can do with one little book! In Isaiah 60:22 God says “A little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation. I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time” That time is today! So, today if you want to know more and would like a little help please go and pray to Jesus then feel free to come and talk to me then we will go together and also pray to Jesus and learn from Him!
Brother Samuelu Crichton
Brother Samuelu Crichton is the Leader of our Deacons at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
My name is Samuelu Crichton, born and raised in Samoa. I was baptised into the Seventh-day Adventist Church at East Auckland in 2023.
For more than 20 years, I worked shift work at Air New Zealand. I went to church on Sundays when I could, and I thought my life was on the right track.
But everything changed the day my son asked me, “Dad, what are you doing about your salvation?”
That question opened the door for God to show me His truth. Through Scripture and the Holy Spirit, I realised there was a deeper light and a deeper calling waiting for me.
I thank God that He did not leave me in my ignorance, but lovingly led me into His truth.
My life is not perfect, but my God is. Today, I hold onto my Saviour’s hands and follow Him humbly, with joy and gratitude.
I am blessed to walk this journey with my wife of 40 years, serving together at East Auckland SDA as the Head Deacon and Health & Safety Officer.
And I invite you:
“Come, my brothers and sisters.”
Your heavenly citizenship has already been paid for—long before you were born.
Galatians 3:13/Kalatia 3:13
Sister Saru Ndlovu
Sister Saru Ndlovu is the Leader of our Women's Ministry at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
My name is Saru Ndlovu, and I praise the Lord for His many blessings and for the opportunity to serve in His vineyard. I am a married woman blessed with two wonderful daughters, and I give all glory to God for them. I am also the proud grandmother of two lovely grandsons whom I love dearly. When I reflect on God’s goodness and favour in my life, I often ask, “What can I render to the Lord for all His blessings?”
As I serve as Head Deaconess and Women’s Ministries Leader, I continually see God’s grace at work. I know that I cannot do this work in my own strength; it is only through Him that I am able to serve. I stand firmly on His promise in Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Brother Luke & Sister Mili Muamua
Brother Luke & Sister Mili Muamua are the Leaders of our Family Ministry at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Brother Luke and Sister Mili Muamua serve as the leaders of the Family Ministry at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church. God has richly blessed them with four boys and three girls, and they are now joyfully embracing a new season of life as grandparents to twin girls. This journey has deepened their passion for family and strengthened their understanding of God’s design for the home. We recognise that families face a wide range of challenges throughout life. The Family Ministry seeks to support families experiencing marital conflict or separation, grief and loss, financial stress or unemployment, parenting challenges, illness or disability, emotional distress, burnout, isolation, or faith struggles arising from life crises. While not a replacement for professional care, the ministry offers prayer, spiritual encouragement, guidance, and connection to supportive resources. Together, as a church family, we seek to strengthen homes and build resilient, Christ-centred families grounded in love, faith, and a shared commitment to growing in Christ.
Church Treasurer
Sister Jenny Davidson is our Church Treasurer at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
"I am privileged to serve as the Treasurer at East Auckland City SDA Church. I was born into the SDA Church where my parents were Members of Papakura Church and I was baptised many years ago there when I was a young teen. I have continually served in roles of Administration and Music in the Churches I have attended and it is a blessing to use the gifts that God has given to me and currently to be able to work alongside an amazing team".
Brother Elisee Leverd
Brother Elisee Leverd is the Leader of our IT Team at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Born on the 14th of September 2007 and raised in the church. The 3rd child of the pastoral family of East Auckland Seventh-day Adventist Church. Baptized on the Sabbath of the 14th of September 2014. I am privileged to serve God with my family in singing, and to lead the Ministry of IT. I grew up Tahiti and now am blessed to live here in New Zealand with my family.
Sister Leanne Manaro
Sister Leanne Manaro is the Leader of Communications and Media at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
I was baptised in February 2022. Without my Savior, Jesus Christ, I would be miserable and lost. He has given me so many blessings.
I use the gifts that He has given me for His glory. It is a privilege to be able to work in this role and I am grateful to be able to serve Him.
Church Secretary
Sister Perelini Crichton is our Church Secretary/Clerk at East Auckland City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Sister Leilani Buwawa
Sister Unise Buwawa is the Leader of our Hospitality Ministry at East Auckland City SDA Church.
Sister Vaea Leverd
Sister Vaea Leverd is our Worship and Music Leader at East Auckland City Church.
Community Services & ADRA Leader
Coming Soon
Sister Lorna-Jen Crallan
Sister Lorna-Jen Crallan is the Leader of our Personal Ministry & Evangelism at East Auckland City SDA Church.
Sister Penny Maivalenisau
Sister Peniana Maivalenisauis the Leader of our Prayer Ministry at East Auckland City SDA Church
