Our Team
Dave & Ruth Sheath
Senior Pastor & Women’s Ministry Coordinator
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 coordinates our women’s ministries and raising up the next generation of gospel workers. 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.
Geoff & Robyn Cuschieri
Engaging & Serving Pastor
Geoff became a Christian at university and then worked for a while in finances. Even though he enjoyed that he wanted more people to know how awesome Jesus is and to put their faith in him. He then studied at Moore Theological College and has since been a pastor in Sydney, as well as overseas in Malta for 13 years with CMS. Geoff joined The Lakes pastoral team in 2021 as our Engaging and Serving Pastor.
Geoff is married to Robyn and they have three teenage children. They love meeting people, having people over for meals, watching movies and having a good laugh.
Geoff & Robyn Cuschieri
Engaging & Serving Pastor
Geoff became a Christian at university and then worked for a while in finances. Even though he enjoyed that he wanted more people to know how awesome Jesus is and to put their faith in him. He then studied at Moore Theological College and has since been a pastor in Sydney, as well as overseas in Malta for 13 years with CMS. Geoff joined The Lakes pastoral team in 2021 as our Engaging and Serving Pastor.
Geoff is married to Robyn and they have three teenage children. They love meeting people, having people over for meals, watching movies and having a good laugh.
Thomas & Laura McConaghey
Connecting & Ministry Support Pastor
Thomas grew up in a Christian family on the Central Coast. After completing a ministry apprenticeship working with uni students in Newcastle, he went on to complete a Bachelor of Theology at Moore Theological College. He has been attending The Lakes since 2011 and joined the staff team in 2017.
Half of Thomas’ role at The Lakes involves facilitating hospitality and care within our church community and helping new people connect and make friends at church. He also oversees the areas of our church that support our various ministries, such as administration, property and finances. He is married to Laura and has four children and a border collie. A self-professed nerd, Thomas enjoys electronics, science fiction, and board games in his free time.
Thomas & Laura McConaghey
Connecting & Ministry Support Pastor
Thomas grew up in a Christian family on the Central Coast. After completing a ministry apprenticeship working with uni students in Newcastle, he went on to complete a Bachelor of Theology at Moore Theological College. He has been attending The Lakes since 2011 and joined the staff team in 2017.
Half of Thomas’ role at The Lakes involves facilitating hospitality and care within our church community and helping new people connect and make friends at church. He also oversees the areas of our church that support our various ministries, such as administration, property and finances. He is married to Laura and has four 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 serves in a number of different ways but has a significant role within 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 serves in a number of different ways but has a significant role within our Kids Church ministry. Pete is a sports fan in general but most recently has become a mad keen cyclist.
Matt & Christina Stubbs
Connecting Pastor & 10.30am Congregation Leader
Matt has been attending The Lakes since 2007. He is a registered psychologist, working for the past thirty years with people with drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness and mental health issues. Matt’s role at The Lakes includes Connecting Pastor, 10.30am congregation leader, and Celebrate Recovery support. He is married to Christina and they have six wonderful children.
Matt is an avid sports follower and he longs for the day when the mighty St George Illawarra Dragons win the NRL again!
Matt & Christina Stubbs
Connecting Pastor & 10.30am Congregation Leader
Matt has been attending The Lakes since 2007. He is a registered psychologist, working for the past thirty years with people with drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness and mental health issues. Matt’s role at The Lakes includes 10.30am congregation leader, Service purpose leader, and Celebrate Recovery support. He is married to Christina and they have six wonderful children.
Matt is an avid sports follower and he longs for the day when the mighty St George Illawarra Dragons win the NRL again!
Susie Schubert
Chinese Ministry & Kids Church 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. For three years Susie worked as a ministry apprentice at The Lakes through MTS (Ministry Training Strategy), growing in her conviction, character and competence as a gospel worker.
Since 2018 Susie has worked as our Chinese Ministry Coordinator and is the primary translator for our 10:30am Sunday service. She also has a passion for seeing our kids know and love Christ and has been coordinating our Kids’ Church since 2022. Susie is married to Terry and they have two children. She loves shopping and eating yummy Chinese food in Chinatown.
Susie Schubert
Chinese Ministry & Kids Church 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. For three years Susie worked as a ministry apprentice at The Lakes through MTS (Ministry Training Strategy), growing in her conviction, character and competence as a gospel worker.
Since 2018 Susie has worked as our Chinese Ministry Coordinator and is the primary translator for our 10:30am Sunday service. She also has a passion for seeing our kids know and love Christ and has been coordinating our Kids’ Church since 2022. Susie is married to Terry and they have two children. She loves shopping and eating yummy Chinese food in Chinatown.
Josh & Hannah Mason
MTS Trainee
Josh has been at The Lakes since 2001 and has completed a Bachelor of Education Primary Teaching. He has taught in Special Education for the past five years, specialising in Autism, Post Dramatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Depression and Cognitive learning disabilities.
At The Lakes, Josh is involved in leading Youth Extreme, Growth Groups and Church@5. He is married to his beautiful wife Hannah and has two beautiful daughters. Josh loves fishing and was on the front cover of a fishing magazine when he was seven years old.
Josh & Hannah Mason
MTS Trainee
Josh has been at The Lakes since 2001 and has completed a Bachelor of Education Primary Teaching. He has taught in Special Education for the past five years, specialising in Autism, Post Dramatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Depression and Cognitive learning disabilities.
At The Lakes, Josh is involved in leading Youth Extreme, Growth Groups and Church@5. He is married to his beautiful wife Hannah and has two beautiful daughters. Josh loves fishing and was on the front cover of a fishing magazine when he was seven years old.
Brad & Kellie Adamson
MTS Trainee
Brad came to know and love Christ while in youth group at The Lakes in 2015. For this reason, he has a passion for seeing youth grow as disciples of Christ. He is involved in our youth ministry at The Lakes, as well as Growth Groups and Church@5.
Brad is married to Kellie and they have a young daughter called Zahlee. In his spare time he likes to play soccer and cricket, and enjoys reading non-fiction books, especially about theology.
Brad & Kellie Adamson
MTS Trainee
Brad came to know and love Christ while in youth group at The Lakes in 2015. For this reason, he has a passion for seeing youth grow as disciples of Christ. He is involved in our youth ministry at The Lakes, as well as Growth Groups and Church@5.
Brad is married to Kellie and they have a young daughter called Zahlee. In his spare time he likes to play soccer and cricket, and enjoys reading non-fiction books, especially about theology.
Noureen Stephens
Ministry Support Executive
Noureen migrated to Australia from North Borneo in 1998. She belongs to an indigenous tribe called the Kadazan and grew up in a mixed belief system combining Animism, Christianity and Islam. She became a Christian when she was 25 years old. Noureen is married to Andrew and has been attending The Lakes since 2016. She has over 20 years’ experience working in the IT industry.
In 2023 Noureen started her role as Support Ministry Executive, providing practical, logistical, and administrative resources and support to the ministry team as they seek to make and grow disciples. In her spare time Noureen enjoys exploring “street food”, short nature walks and aqua aerobics.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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 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!
Marnie Hanlon
Communications Coordinator
Marnie has been a member of The Lakes since 2008. She completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Graphic Design) at Wesley Institute in 2003 and has since worked as a graphic designer in various paid and voluntary positions in Australia and overseas. She has been volunteering as a graphic designer at The Lakes for many years but joined our staff team in 2019.
Marnie is responsible for overseeing our website, social media, photography and promotions. She paints for fun and owns a small dog that looks like Hairy Maclary.
Marnie Hanlon
Communications Coordinator
Marnie has been a member of The Lakes since 2008. She completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Graphic Design) at Wesley Institute in 2003 and has since worked as a graphic designer in various paid and voluntary positions in Australia and overseas. She has been volunteering as a graphic designer at The Lakes for many years but joined our staff team in 2019.
Marnie is responsible for overseeing our website, social media, photography and promotions. She paints for fun and owns a small dog that looks like Hairy Maclary.
