Church Leadership

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with His own blood.”

Acts 20:28

 
Scripture clearly indicates that the local church is to be led by a plurality of elders who have the authority as overseers for the general welfare of the church. Elders are the decision makers and the preaching and teaching leaders of the local church. They function to govern, guard, and guide the local church they oversee.
 

Meet the Northlands Elders and Their Wives

Greg & Michelle Haswell

Greg and Michelle Haswell in Hong Kong

Greg Haswell holds a degree in Theology from Global University, and his wife Michelle completed her studies in Early Childhood Education at Teachers Training College. Greg and Michelle met as high school sweethearts, and married five years later, after completing their education.

 
Greg and Michelle have been in ministry together for over 20 years. In their native South Africa, they led a church of over 1,500 members. They have pioneered two successful Christian radio stations, a crisis telephone counseling ministry, supported the establishment of a city wide community center, established a national leaders forum for young leaders and were co-leaders of a national youth organization. Then they felt God called them to come to the USA, where they are now citizens. In addition to pastoring Northlands, they provide support in an informal way to several other churches.

 
Greg and Michelle love traveling, experiencing exotic foods and cultures, and keeping up with their friends all over the world. Greg is also an accomplished musician, and enjoys swimming and golf. Michelle, a nature lover, enjoys writing as well as reading. They have one college-age child.

 
Greg declares, “We believe God plans to do amazing things through the lives of ordinary believers. Our purpose as leaders, then, is not to draw attention to ourselves, but to strengthen the believers in our care.” Michelle replies, “We feel that Isaiah 49:8 is the foundation of the ministry God has given us–to bring restoration to the lives of believers and see the rebuilding of broken places.” Greg concludes, “Our ongoing prayer is for Northlands to be an oasis, a place where people can be refreshed and equipped to fulfill their God-given destiny.”

Richard and Karlene Bartolo

 
Multifaceted: that’s the word that comes to mind when Richard and Karlene are around.  Richard, a native Canadian, works as an investment banker. He loves music and leads the Northlands music team. He also loves all sports (though his favorites are hockey and football) and rides a motorcycle. Karlene, by contrast, was born in Kingston, Jamaica. A middle school math teacher, she is also a vocalist whose music has taken her around the world. The Bartolos have two teenagers.

 
It’s difficult to stay sad when Richard and Karlene are around. Their authenticity, compassion, genuine warmth and enthusiasm are catching. “We know a little bit about overcoming adversity,” says Karlene. “God has used that to give us great tenderness towards the brokenhearted, both inside and outside the church. Our greatest hunger is to see brokenhearted people set free.”

Glen & Sue Hobbs

 
Glen grew up in a small town in South Africa, where his father was an agricultural salesman.  He met and married Sue after her family relocated there from England, where she’d spent her childhood. They and their two teenagers have lived in the USA for over 15 years, and are preparing to become citizens.

 
Glen began his professional career as an electrical engineer, and currently works as an IT consultant to large corporations. Sue, a qualified RN, is currently a stay-at-home Mom.  Their family enjoys reading, travel, and various sports; in addition, Glen is a coffee connoisseur and enjoys building websites, and Sue loves dance and cooking. They have especially enjoyed the trips they have made to Bill Johnson’s church in Redding, California.

 
“We are convinced that God doesn’t want any of us to settle for a mundane existence,” Glen declares. “He has much more in store for every one of us. For too long, the church has misinterpreted sozo, the Greek word for salvation. The full translation is very rich. It means God wants us to be saved, healed and delivered. We want to see that come to pass in the life of every believer.” Sue adds, “Personal encounters with the living God, who loves us deeply, are our privilege and birthright. We long to see His Church experiencing the fullness of what he promised.”

Stephen & Beth Templeton

Stephen and Beth Templeton

Both native Southerners, Beth and Stephen met in college and have been married for almost 25 years.  They have a rich family life centered around their seven children, who range in age from teen to young adult. The Templeton family enjoys music (they play several instruments between them), hiking and travel. They love spending time together as a family, and enjoy making visitors feel welcome in their home.

 
Stephen is a Dermatopathologist.  Beth is a full time mother, and invests a significant portion of her time in working with mothers and family ministry at Northlands.  They have a tender spot in their hearts for adopted children, as four of their seven were born in Russia.

 
Stephen reports, “Our passion is for the church to be an authentic, safe and trustworthy place.” Beth adds, “Our greatest joy is to go deeper into the Presence of the Lord and to bring others there as well. All the life we have, all the healing we receive, comes from entering into His presence.”

Dionne & Bridget Van Zyl

 
Bridget and Dionne both grew up in South Africa but are now proud to be American citizens. They have lived in the U.S. since 1994, when they felt God’s call for them to come here. Currently, Dionne, who holds degrees in engineering, theology and business, works as a business/financial consultant. Previously, they founded and ran a Christian school for six years.

 
The Van Zyls’ four children, ranging in age from preteen to college, make for a very active family with many diverse interests. Their hobbies include travel, reading, and family life.

 
“Our passion is for wholeness,” Bridget says. “We want people to be healed spiritually, emotionally, and physically, to get out of debt, to experience personal renewal and restored relationships. We have seen that there is nothing God cannot do.”