As of July 2022 Pastors Joe and Racquel Manase are stepping into the new roles of Lead Pastors, as Pastors Peter and Bev Mortlock move into their new roles as Founding Pastors! Married for over ten years, with four gorgeous kids in tow, Joe and Racquel have been part of City Impact Church for the past eighteen years.
An Accidental Pastor
Ps Joe grew up in Browns Bay, spending his days like any kiwi kid – playing sports and hanging out with family and friends. When he was in his early teens he walked into City Impact Church and sat in the very back row. For four years he came every Sunday night, until a big Saturday night that resulted in him coming to a point of decision. That weekend at Church he made his way to the altar and gave his life to God. Joe often jokes that he’s an ‘accidental pastor.’ It wasn’t what he set out to do with his life, he simply prayed that whatever God placed before him, he would say yes to it. Joe went on to do a Church internship and began working at church in the marketing team doing graphic design.
Called from the Start
Ps Racquel grew up in South Africa, and moved with her family to New Zealand at fifteen. The day they arrived in NZ, her family came to City Impact Church and immediately felt at home. When she was twelve years old, God spoke to Racquel and showed her that she was going to spend her life in ministry, serving God and His people. Racquel came on staff at City Impact Church in 2014 as a Youth Pastor alongside Joe.
YOUTH & Westgate Years
Throughout their years at City Impact Church they have served faithfully in many different roles. They became Youth Pastors in 2012, the first year of their marriage. Some of their favourite memories of this time include leading a summer mission at Pauanui, and the first epic youth camp in Ngaruawahia which had the most amazing praise and worship in the shed! More recently, they launched the Westgate Campus in 2018 and have served as Westgate Campus Pastors for the past four years.
Becoming the Lead Pastors
Ps Joe and Racquel have a conviction that this is what God placed them on earth to do. Knowing that they are called for this generation and to lead the church into its next season. They count it a privilege to stand on the shoulders of Ps Peter and Bev, and are excited about the future of City Impact Church and the next 40 years to come!
