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About Apostle Bishop Brian Tamaki
and Pastor Hannah Tamaki
Apostle Bishop Brian and Pastor Hannah Tamaki are of Maori and European descent and met as high school sweethearts in the central North Island town of Tokoroa.
Having committed their lives to Jesus Christ in their early twenties, they attended Te Nikau Bible College before being commissioned to plant their first church in Te Awamutu. Described in his early days as ‘a fire without a furnace’, Tamaki’s unbridled passion and enthusiasm to preach God’s word was a magnet to many, and in a manner that has come to exemplify the ‘oneness’ of their ministry, he leads from the front while Pastor Hannah manages all aspects of church administration. The church quickly grew to become a prominent landmark of the local community.
With the church at its height of success, the Tamaki family were called to the city of Rotorua where they transformed a small and fragile fellowship into one of the largest churches in the Bay of Plenty.
The church cemented its prominence when it acquired the central city movie theatre as its new church location. And as was the case in Te Awamutu, with the church enjoying success and momentum, Bishop was moved by God to leave Rotorua to plant a church in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.
With only a handful of leaders and a faith that has come to characterise their ministry, the Tamaki family relocated to Auckland and established a church in Pakuranga. The membership grew quickly and it was not long before growth demanded a larger premises. The church converted a large industrial warehouse in Mt Wellington and wasted no time launching a wide range of ministries into the local community. The church soon established itself as one of the dominant Christian entities in Auckland city.
Apostle Bishop Brian Tamaki is a prominent Christian leader and advocate of the gospel. He has appeared on all major Prime Time News and Current Affairs broadcasts and tabloids defending and upholding the faith and traditional Christian values.
The Tamaki family has five generations in the House, with three children (Jasmine, Jamie and Samuel) all of whom are married and serve in the Auckland church. They are blessed with many grandchildren who have personalities larger than life! Their love and passion for each other, their people, Christ and His church is infectious, which is why the Tamaki family is a modern day example of the inter-generational blessing in action.
About Pastors John and Ali Ferris
Pastors John and Ali Ferris have been married for over 25 years and have three adult daughters.
Pastor John has been in church for over 36 years and has been preaching since the age of 19 after a dramatic encounter with Christ at the age of 17 that brought about an incredible life change.
Pastor Ali was raised in a Godly home but lost her way in her teens, she returned to Christ 14 years later as a single Mother of two and found the love and healing of God.
Pastors John and Ali are the spiritual sons of Apostle Brian and Pastor Hannah Tamaki who are the Apostles and Senior Ministers of Destiny Churches International. “We count it a privilege to be their Apostolic extension in the Waikato and honoured to serve under such an incredible couple and ministry. The spirit of revelation that our Apostle carries, the integrity and love for God’s house and people are astounding. We fully support and believe in his vision”
After many years of serving in the church, being assistant Pastors at Destiny Nelson, Apostle Brian asked Pastors John and Ali to consider planting a new church in Hamilton. With God already speaking to their hearts about Hamilton, it was a match made in Heaven and within a few months they had sold their home and shifted to Hamilton. It was 2002 and they arrived in Hamilton with their household with no confirmed place to live, no church building and knowing no one, all they knew was that they were called and sent.
With Destiny Television going strong on TV2, the Destiny Auckland Call Centre were receiving many calls requesting a church to be planted in Hamilton…this was now about to happen!
On March 2002 at 7pm Apostle Brian launched the first Destiny Hamilton service to a packed out hall at Vardon Primary School. The church grew rapidly with people being saved and added every weekend. After 12 months the church soon out grew the School Hall so they purchased their own building on Te Rapa Road. The 1400sqm warehouse was converted into a modern complex with the latest sound system and interior design.
In 2016 the Church purchased the Mahana Rd property that backs onto the Te Rapa Rd complex to make more room for the growth of the Church. The Te Rapa Rd building is now being upgraded and the auditorium enlarged to fit another two hundred people.
Destiny Church Hamilton is a thriving , growing Church that reaches hundreds of people throughout the Waikato District. With Pastor John’s passionate preaching style, people experience incredible life changes. The result of those life changes not only improves their life but it also impacts the generations following.
“God is raising an army, a people dedicated to the cause of the Kingdom, called out, chosen, a special people – Iwi Tapu – the Holy Nation to bring forth the Kingdom of God to not only our nation but all nations, 1 Pet 2:9”
