our team
our team
Senior leadership team
Andy Flaherty
SENIOR LEADER, spiritual formation and teaching
Andy is spiritual formation and teaching pastor at Lighthouse. He is married to Elyse and they have three children. Andy is a keen traveller and outdoor enthusiast who surfs, hikes, camps and rock climbs any time he gets. With a deep curiosity about God, people and God in people, Andy is a talented, creative teacher whose messages connect with all generations.
M. Leadership; B. Ministry, Cert IV TAE, Cert III Outdoor Leadership
Elyse Flaherty
SENIOR LEADER, generations and gatherings
Elyse is generations and gathering pastor at Lighthouse. She is married to Andy and they have three children. A summer girl, Elyse’s happy place is at the beach with her family. She is passionate about developing healthy communities, creating spaces where people can belong and building the capacity and confidence in others to make a contribution.
josh hammann
SENIOR LEADER, community engagement and business
Josh is community engagement and business leader at Lighthouse. He is married to Taleah and they have four children. He is passionate about making faith accessible to everyone and is leader of ACC Community Engagement in NSW/ACT. Josh is chaplain of the Illawarra Hawks, enjoys running with mates around sunrise and hosts a podcast called ‘The Middle Man’ which helps leaders turn vision into reality.
Lighthouse leaders
zane herrera
community and connect
Zane is the community engagement and connect leader at Lighthouse. He runs the highly successful pop-up restaurant Lighthouse Community Kitchen where two days per week, individuals can come and dine with dignity. Zane is also in charge of connect groups to ensure that everyone is in the best place to grow their faith and serve others.
NARI IVORY
Children's ministry director
nick fairall
youth leader
Nick is youth leader at Lighthouse. Hailing from Coffs Harbour on the north coast of NSW where he grew up in a strong Christian family, Nick made the move to Wollongong for University after he finished high school. But the pull of ministry was too strong and when the opportunity arose, he took over the youth leadership of the church and enrolled in a Bachelor of Ministry which he is currently completing. Nick is an experience junkie who tries to never say no to a challenge.
deb kuhna
chaplaincy pastor
Deb is a community chaplain and pastor at Lighthouse and she is married to Ron, who together enjoy their adult children and grandchildren. She is passionate about creating spaces that allow people to connect, belong, heal and move forward in life -and is partial to a hearty laugh and great cup of coffee shared intentionally. Deb loves being out in nature and enjoying it through her art, photography and fishing with her family.
ashley herrera
kids hub coordinator
Ashley is the Kids Hub Coordinator at Lighthouse. Alongside her team of caring volunteers, Ashley creates a safe space for the families in our community to play, get help with homework and build healthy relationships. She loves creating inclusive opportunities and environments where families can thrive and receive access to any assistance that they may need. Mental health and wellbeing is also a big focus for Ashley and she loves to spend her quiet time amongst nature, paddleboarding, swimming or painting watercolours inspired by her surroundings.
rachel maher
young adults leader
Rach is the Young Adults Leader at Lighthouse. She loves Jesus, people, and creating spaces where young adults feel at home. Part of her role is focused on connecting with our local university students at UOW. She is passionate about building genuine community, raising leaders, and helping people take their next step in faith. Rach is a board game enthusiast and will find her ocean swimming at the beach all year round.