Our Team
David & Ruth Sheath
Senior Pastor
Dave studied at Moore Theological College with his wife Ruth and together they started The Lakes Church in 2001. At The Lakes, Dave leads the staff team and Admin Committee and is the primary preacher on Sundays. He also serves as Secretary on the executive team of our denomination FIEC. Ruth volunteers widely at The Lakes, primarily in leading our women’s ministries. Dave and Ruth also mentor pastors and their wives through the Geneva Push network.
Dave and Ruth have three adult children and on their days off they enjoy spending time with their family and taking walks along the beach with their dog Charlie.
Michael & Natalie Plaege
Starting & Engaging Pastor
It was in school SRE that Mike first found the good news of Jesus compelling and since then he has not lost his passion to see others know God. Mike moved to the Central Coast in 2008 after studying at Moore Theological College with his wife Natalie and pastoring his home church for six years. His role at The Lakes is to champion local and global mission, preaching and training the next generation of gospel leaders.
Mike and Natalie have three daughters. Natalie plays an integral role in our Kids Church and women’s ministry. Mike enjoys camping with his family by the beach; especially when it involves dirt roads, surfing, campfires and no internet or electricity.
Michael & Natalie Plaege
Starting & Engaging Pastor
It was in school SRE that Mike first found the good news of Jesus compelling and since then he has not lost his passion to see others know God. Mike moved to the Central Coast in 2008 after studying at Moore Theological College with his wife Natalie and pastoring his home church for six years. His role at The Lakes is to champion local and global mission, preaching and training the next generation of gospel leaders.
Mike and Natalie have three daughters. Natalie plays an integral role in our Kids Church and women’s ministry. Mike enjoys camping with his family by the beach especially when it involves dirt roads, surfing, campfires and no internet or electricity.
Thomas & Laura McConaghey
Connecting Pastor
Thomas grew up in a Christian family on the Central Coast. He has been attending The Lakes since 2011 and joined the staff team in 2017. After completing a ministry apprenticeship working with uni students in Newcastle, he went on to complete a Bachelor of Theology at Moore Theological College.
Thomas’ role at The Lakes involves facilitating hospitality and care within our church community, as well as helping new people connect and make friends at church. He is married to Laura and has 4 children and a border collie. A self-professed nerd, Thomas enjoys electronics, science fiction, and board games in his free time.
Peter & Sonya Cheng
Kids, Youth & Young Adults Pastor
Pete first came to Christ as a teenager after his friend invited him along to a church youth group. For this reason he has a real heart for raising up and growing the next generation of disciples. At The Lakes, Pete is responsible for our kids, youth and young adult ministries and has been in this role since 2012. Pete studied at Moore Theological College and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to train alongside like-minded people.
Pete is married to Sonya and they have four children. Sonya plays a significant role in helping co-ordinate our Kids Church ministry. Pete is a sports fan in general but most recently has become a mad keen cyclist.
Peter & Sonya Cheng
Kids, Youth & Young Adults Pastor
Pete first came to Christ as a teenager after his friend invited him along to a church youth group. For this reason he has a real heart for raising up and growing the next generation of disciples. At The Lakes, Pete is responsible for our kids, youth and young adult ministries and has been in this role since 2012. Pete studied at Moore Theological College and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to train alongside like-minded people.
Pete is married to Sonya and they have four children. Sonya plays a significant role in helping co-ordinate our Kids Church ministry. Pete is a sports fan in general but most recently has become a mad keen cyclist.
Susie Schubert
Chinese Ministry Coordinator
Susie migrated to Australia from mainland China in 2008 and became a Christian the following year. She came to The Lakes in 2011 and volunteered helping our Chinese members to know and follow Jesus. From 2015 – 2017 Susie worked as a ministry apprentice at The Lakes through MTS (Ministry Training Strategy), growing in her conviction, character and competence as a cross-cultural gospel worker.
Since 2018 Susie has worked as our Chinese Ministry Coordinator and is the primary translator for our 10:30am Sunday service. Susie is married to Terry and they have two children. She loves shopping and eating yummy Chinese food in Chinatown.
Kathy Lian
Office & Pastoral Team Assistant
Kathy left her home church in Sydney to join The Lakes in 2013 as she and her husband Jun were already volunteering in Chinese ministry and serving new Chinese Christians on the Central Coast. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and has 20 years of experience in office and human resources administration.
Kathy joined our staff team in June 2015, managing the office, overseeing all the administrative functions and working alongside the pastoral team and volunteers in various ministries. She loves cooking, eating and taking photos of food!
Kathy Lian
Office & Pastoral Team Assistant
Kathy left her home church in Sydney to join The Lakes in 2013 as she and her husband Jun were already volunteering in Chinese ministry and serving new Chinese Christians on the Central Coast. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and has 20 years of experience in office and human resources administration.
Kathy joined our staff team in June 2015, managing the office, overseeing all the administrative functions and working alongside the pastoral team and volunteers in various ministries. She loves cooking, eating and taking photos of food!
Andrea Groves
Personal Assistant to David Sheath
Andrea has been at The Lakes since 2011 after to moving to the Central Coast from Sydney. She is married to Anthony and they have two beautiful sons, Sebastian and Caleb. After working in various administrative capacities for many years, Andrea now enjoys working part time as David Sheath’s personal assistant.
In her spare time Andrea enjoys spending time with her two dogs at the beach, reading and photography.
Mel Clement
MTS Trainee
Mel grew up on the Central Coast and has been attending The Lakes since 2009. In 2018 Mel started her three year MTS (Ministry Training Strategy) apprenticeship as well as an Advanced Diploma of Theology through Moore Theological College.
At The Lakes Mel is involved in ministry to children, youth, young adults and women. She enjoys the opportunity to be freed up for ‘hands on’ ministry training. In her down time Mel appreciates spending time with friends and family, and a good cup of tea.
Mel Clement
MTS Trainee
Mel grew up on the Central Coast and has been attending The Lakes since 2009. In 2018 Mel started her three year MTS (Ministry Training Strategy) apprenticeship as well as an Advanced Diploma of Theology through Moore Theological College.
At The Lakes Mel is involved in ministry to children, youth, young adults and women. She enjoys the opportunity to be freed up for ‘hands on’ ministry training. In her down time Mel appreciates spending time with friends and family, and a good cup of tea.
Contact Us
Sundays 8.30am, 10.30am & 5pm
(9am & 5pm Dec/Jan)
6 Pioneer Avenue
Tuggerah, NSW
Phone: 02 4353 0977
