PASTORS
The pastors are responsible for implementing the Vision and Mission of the church. They also oversee their respective ministries under them.
Rev. Tham Fuan Yee
SENIOR PASTOR
Tham Fuan has served as the Senior Pastor of LifeGate Church since its inception in 2010 with the integration of ICC and Cornerstone Church of Christ. His roles include initiating direction and setting it together with the Church Board, and overseeing all areas of ministry and day-to-day operations of the church.
He has been in full-time church ministry for more than 20 years, the first seven of which was in Malaysia. Over that period and at different times he has served as a youth minister, continued pioneering a new church plant after it has been started by another person for three months, led the Central District Youth Department of the Assemblies of God of Malaysia, served as a board member of Wycliffe Malaysia, and currently serving as the Senior Pastor of LifeGate Church and a board member of SIM Australia.
He has a passion for people of all ages and for seeing their lives changed by and for Jesus. He has a vision for a continuing and thriving local church for generations to come. Tham Fuan was trained at Bible College of Victoria (now Melbourne School of Theology) graduating with a Master of Arts in Ministry with the Australian College of Theology.
Tham Fuan and his wife Suan Choo have two daughters Danica and Elysia who are both married and have kids. They both enjoy movies and spending time over a meal with friends and church people.
Mobile: 0425 803 597
Contact: thamfuan.yee@lifegatechurch.org.au
Rev. Mei-Ju Lee
CHINESE PASTOR
Mei-Ju has served as the Chinese Pastor of LifeGate Church since 2013. Mei-Ju became a Christian at the age of 12 and grew up in the church which was started as a cell group in her house in Kaohsiung Taiwan. She actively served in the church and was involved in both the Youth and Cell ministries. She also established a Christian fellowship group in the college she was lecturing in.
Mei-Ju and her family migrated to Melbourne in late 2003. She studied at Melbourne School of Theology and graduated with Bachelor of Ministry in 2012. She saw a great need in reaching out to the Chinese migrants with the message of salvation, thus responding to God’s call to “come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
Mei-Ju’s husband Sam (also a graduate from MST), serves together with her at LifeGate Church. They have three children, both daughters are married and their son is doing his 4th year at university.
Mei-Ju is a firm believer of always giving thanks to God for His providence and in investing our temporary life here on earth for eternal values.
Mobile: 0425 830 860
Contact: meiju.lee@lifegatechurch.org.au
Ps. James Chia
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Youth and Young adults
James has been an Associate Pastor at LifeGate Church since December 2018 and became full-time in September 2021. Having over a decade of church ministry experience, his role involves overseeing the pastoral care of the Youth and Young Adults. In addition to preaching at and coordinating the weekend services, he also oversees the worship ministry, communications and all the audio and IT.
James is passionate about seeing people encounter Jesus and having their lives transformed by the gospel. He received theological training from Melbourne School of Theology, graduating with a Graduate Diploma of Divinity in 2018.
In his spare time, James plays volleyball and loves to watch a good TV show or movie.
James is currently on sabbatical until 1st October 2024.
Contact: james.chia@lifegatechurch.org.au
Ps. Paul Shi
ASSOCIATE PASTOR (Part-time)
Discipleship
Paul has been an Associate Pastor at LifeGate Church since November 2023. He started full-time ministry in July 2012 and has over a decade of church ministry experience, in Singapore and Australia. His role involves overseeing the discipleship and leadership in the church. This includes preaching and teaching, developing leadership development curriculum and pathways, and building a discipleship culture at LifeGate Church.
Paul is passionate about seeing people grow in their discipleship, equipping leaders, and preaching. He received theological training from Melbourne School of Theology, graduating with a Master of Divinity in 2015.
Paul is married to Amanda, and in his spare time enjoys boxing, watching YouTube watch review channels and good coffee.
Contact: paul.shi@lifegatechurch.org.au
Ps. Danica Foo
ASSOCIATE PASTOR (Part-time)
CHILDREN AND YOUNG FAMILIES
Danica joined the pastoral team as a part-time Associate Pastor in October 2021. She has over a decade of church ministry experience spanning worship, children, youth, young adults and new believers ministries, and was also involved with campus ministry during her time at university. Her current role includes overseeing the Childrens and Young Families ministries, as well as Outreach and Integration ministries. She also preaches at weekend services several times a year.
She will be pursuing theological training from Melbourne School of Theology in the coming years, while continuing to work part-time at LifeGate Church.
She is married to her husband Josh and together they have a baby boy Emet and a newborn girl Caia. As a family, they love practicing hospitality and journeying alongside others.
Danica is currently on maternity leave until 31st May 2024.
Contact: danica.foo@lifegatechurch.org.au
Church Board
The Church Board provide the overall strategic direction for the church. They also fill the roll of governance, finance and support the staff and Senior Ministry Leaders.
From left to right: Eugene, Ps. Tham Fuan, Lettice, Illeanne, Joshua, Tong.