Senior Pastor: Reverend Tim Giovanelli
Tim pioneered this amazing church community over 10 years ago with his wife Victoria. He is thrilled by the way God has used this church to impact the Manly community and now Haberfield too! Tim is the proud parent of Hope and Luca! He spent 6 years overseas in his 20’s, volunteering with African Enterprise in Kenya, working in consulting in London and studying theology at Regent College in Vancouver. Tim is an ordained Reverend in the Baptist Churches of NSW and ACT. He is also the Chaplain up at the International College of Management in Manly.
Contact: tim.giovanelli@manlylife.org
Manly Campus Pastor: Kirrily Smeallie
Kirrily loves the local church and regularly preaches, leads services and helps with pastoral care. She is married to Dave and is mum to 3 great kids! Kirrily has planted and led churches and is passionate about people knowing Jesus and being transformed by his love! She is particularly involved in the morning services and with the families.
Contact Kirrily: kirrily.smeallie@manlylife.org
Haberfield Campus Pastor: Lani Hardwick
Lani is our campus Pastor at Haberfield Life Church and evening service Pastor at Manly Life. She also oversees the young adults Life Groups. Lani is married to Dan and you can often find them surfing together, involved in mission work in Fiji and hanging out over good coffee! Lani is an incredible leader for Haberfield, to our young people, a great preacher and has such a heart for discipling the next generation.
Contact Lani: lani@manlylife.org
Kids and Youth Pastor: Tanja Gruber
Tanja leads and coordinates our kids ministry on Sunday mornings, the younger youth on Friday nights and oversees scripture in the local primary school. Tanja is originally from Germany but has made Australia home and has a huge passion for kids and them knowing Jesus! If you are interested in kids ministry or have kids at Manly Life, please don’t hesitate to contact Tanja!
Contact Tanja: tanja@manlylife.org
Manly Worship Co-ordinator: Millie Wilson
Millie is our amazing Worship Co-ordinator at Manly Life! Millie can often be found leading our times of worship or in the band. She sings, plays guitar, piano and the cello! Millie has done YWAM in Hawaii, studies at C3 college and has been on mission to Bangladesh with Homes of Hope International. Her heart is to help us worship King Jesus and lead us into the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Contact Millie: millie.wilson@manlylife.org
Manly Kids Ministry Coordinator: Janna Artuz
Janna leads our brilliant creche and pre-school kids church programs on Sunday mornings at Manly Life and all of the wonderful volunteers who serve each week. She also helps out at Playtime. Janna is originally from the Philippines and is now living on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. She loves the kids and the kids love her!
Haberfield Kids Ministry Coordinator: Purity Nairuko
Purity leads kids church at Haberfield and Playtime on Tuesday mornings. Purity is originally from Kenya and is in Australia studying business. Purity captivates the kids and she has a great passion for making faith real and alive for them. If you’d like to help with kids church or Playtime at Haberfield, Purity would love to hear from you.
Contact Purity: naanyunairuko77@gmail.com
Life Church Operations Director: Anja Venn
Anja is our Operations Director across both campuses. She looks after the facilities, following people up and coordinates all of the welcome, hospitality and events at Life Church. She is married to Alistair and mum to Chris and Chloe. Anja is passionate about the local church and loves seeing people find community and purpose in the body of Christ. If you come to Life Church, you will be sure to meet Anja!
Contact Anja: anja@manlylife.org
Haberfield Worship Coordinator: Josh Boyes
Josh is our Worship Coordinator at Haberfield and brings years of experience and passion for worship to our Sunday services and mid week worship nights. We are also fortunate to have Josh at evening services in Manly and in the young adult community. If you’d like to join the band at Haberfield, Josh would love to hear from you!
Contact Josh: josh@manlylife.org
Church Governance
Life Church is a part of the Baptist Churches of NSW and ACT. The church is led by Tim and Victoria and is wisely assisted by the Administration Group (Matt, Ross, Allan and Karin) and the Eldership Group (Tim, Victoria, Julie, Greg, Mark and Jess). The Administration Group meets to oversee administrative matters such as the finances, leases, wages, external giving and legal compliances. The Eldership Group meet to look at the vision, values and goals of the church and to provide wisdom and guidance to the Pastoral team.