OUR MINISTRY TEAM
Our goal is to grow the Church in the Christchurch Diocese by bringing the youth and young adult ministry vision of Bishop Michael Gielen to life and serving the parishes and communities of the Diocese.
We call youth leaders, young people and families into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church through personal communication, events, initiatives, and resources.
James Bryant
CYT Manager
The CYT Manager supports the rest of the CYT Team in each of their vital roles. They’re also responsible for setting the overall direction of the team and managing things like budgets, policies and procedures. In addition to this, they represent CYT to other Diocesan agencies and other Youth Ministry organisations on a National and International level.
James is originally from Australia. He completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science and worked in retail management before feeling called to youth ministry. James has over 18 years in Youth Ministry, working as part of a retreat team (NET Australia), Diocesan Youth Coordinator (Toowoomba Australia) and in Parish Youth Ministry (Queensland and Christchurch). He holds a graduate certificate in Youth Ministry from BBI in Australia.
Mark Currie
Parish Youth Ministry Support Coordinator
This role supports Parishes and Faith Communities in building up and maintaining Sustainable and Comprehensive Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Practically, this involves offering training and support to Parish-based Youth Ministers while also offering advice, training and resources in areas such as programming, Health and Safety, budgeting and safeguarding.
Mark joined the team in November 2020. Born and bred in Dunedin, he comes to the role after a decades involvement in Youth Ministry in his local Parish while also working as Youth co-ordinator for St Vincent de Paul Dunedin for nearly five years. Outside work, he loves to get involved in all sorts of sport – primarily refereeing Football – and is a loud and proud supporter of anything in blue and gold.
03 353 0705 Ext 2
0211 240 497
mcurrie@cdoc.nz
Cyrene Tionko
Events Coordinator
The Events co-ordinator is primarily responsible for running our key Diocesan Youth Events such as Antioch and Revolution camps, the Amazing Race and Sports Night. He also provides support to Parishes and other faith communities in running events and leadership training.
Cyrene has been involved in Ministry with Youth and Young Adults for over 21 years through Youth for Christ, Singles for Christ and Couples for Christ. This has included running local youth ministry and mission programmes as well overseas Mission programmes. He has a great passion for the ministry and growing young people’s relationship with Christ and the church. Cyrene also has worked most recently in the corporate world with significant experience in sales teams.
03 353 0705 Ext 3
027 555 0551
ctionko@cdoc.nz
Vicki Schupbach
Admin Assistant
Our Admin Assistant plays a vital role in freeing up the rest of the team to focus on their core roles. This varies week to week but includes keeping the accounts in check, being the first port of call for external enquiries and keeping the team on top of organisational requirements. They also submit funding applications on behalf of the wider team.
Vicki has a background in marketing and runs her own marketing business as well as managing The Catholic Shop at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral and working for St Vincent de Paul. When she’s not keeping our team in check, she’s got her own team to worry about with two teenaged children (and a whole bunch of animals!)
03 353 0705 Ext 0
vschupbach@cdoc.nz
Grace Challies
Mission and Outreach Coordinator
The CYT Mission and Outreach Coordinator is our primary contact with the schools of the Diocese as we look to engage in that important Mission field. She also looks after the logistical and formation aspects of our Mission Team ministry as well as exploring new ways to encourage mission with and to the young people in our communities.
Grace joined our team in 2022. A graduate of Marian College and the University of Canterbury, she joined us after two years at Waipara Adventure Centre where she was the Programme and Ministry co-ordinator. Deeply passionate, she has significant experience in outdoor education. A born and bred Cantab, Grace grew up in the Lamb of God ecumenical community and currently calls the Cathedral Parish home.
03 353 0705 Ext 5
022 428 7417
gchallies@cdoc.nz
Tommy Taualai
Music Coordinator
The Music Ministry co-ordinator is an essential part of our team. Their main job is to co-ordinate the well respected CYT Music Team which plays a vital role in our camps and work in Parishes. He also offers training and support in the Music space to Parishes and other Faith communities.
Tommy also joined our team at the start of 2022 after studying at the University of Canterbury. A veteran of the CYT Band, Tommy is no stranger to the power of Worship in a Youth Ministry context – which played a huge part in his own faith journey. A St Thomas’ Old Boy, he’s got deep roots in the Christchurch community and a real heart for Young People.
03 353 0705 Ext 4
027 367 8439
ttaualai@cdoc.nz
CYT Mission Team is a group of young adult, full-time volunteers. They serve the Christchurch Diocese by running retreats for schools, youth groups and serving other programmes throughout the Diocese.
Inquiries around booking or joining the Mission Team can be made to:
Grace Challies
03 353 0705
022 392 3491
gchallies@cdoc.nz
Or click here to find out more information about Mission Team!