Senior Pastors Rod and Jan Kell
Rod and Jan are passionate about fostering a church community, where the love of God is demonstrated through the power of the Holy Spirit, and where people are set free, healed and on fire for Jesus.
Abundant Life has been their church family since 2005 but in 2015 they felt called to go to Tanzania East Africa as missionaries and became a part of the Joshua Foundation. Their focus was on healing the sick and delivering people from demons and witchcraft. In the four years they were there, Rod and Jan saw many healings and miracles; blind eyes were opened, the crippled would walk, and they ministered to drug addicts, prostitutes and gang members in the slums.
Rod and Jan returned home to New Zealand in February 2019 to take on the role of senior pastors of Abundant Life. They say God’s love is a major attribute that is displayed at Abundant Life and where the teaching of the truth has always been a strong foundation. Rod and Jan believe they complement that foundation with the demonstration of the love, power and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Rod and Jan first met when they were attending Faith Bible College here in Tauranga. They have been married for 38 years and have six children and five grandchildren
Founding Pastors Mike and Janne Cullen
Mike & Janne became Christians in 1971, and quickly gave up their careers [in Engineering and Mathematics teaching] to manage Scripture in Song, a Christian recording company.
In 1981, they moved to Tauranga to pastor a small church, and in 1982 pioneered the Abundant Life Community Church in Tauranga.
Mike’s passion is to see people restored to wholeness and released to function in their calling. He ministers prophetically and powerfully in deliverance and inner healing. He has a heart for praise and worship, as well as prayer and intercession, and is a respected Bible teacher. Mike has ministered extensively in New Zealand and overseas, and also has a passion to see unity among churches and is fully involved in local and national minister’s associations
Janne brings a refreshing ministry in both prophetic and practical areas of Christian life. An anointed teacher & preacher of the Word, Janne inspires and encourages as she delivers the practical truth of God’s work with unique style and creative flair.
They have been married for over 50 years and have two adult sons – David who is married to Nettie and resides in Auckland with their four children, and Jonathan who lives in Cambridge, England with his wife Maria and 3 daughters.