Welcome

A group photo of three smiling adults, two men and one woman, standing close together against a dark background.

We are a community being formed into the image of Jesus—a community of relentless love.

Maurice Benington, Dave & Christy McHugh
Senior Pastors

New at Stairway

We hope you're finding plenty of opportunities to connect into the Stairway family along with ways to explore Jesus' heart for you.

As a family, Stairway is establishing a culture that is founded in the Relentless Love of our Father. It is a culture that is immersed in a lifestyle of intimacy, a deep compassion for people, and a revelation of who we are in Jesus.

We are created to live in intimacy with Jesus, to pray without ceasing, to live with a heart of worship. This is the foundation of who we are and how we live. We know and are known by God, and as His children, we walk daily in the deep assurance of His love.

Pathways

Pathways is an initiative designed to help people who are new connect with the Stairway community, grow spiritually, and engage in God’s mission. Running three times a year, it offers a blend of in-person and online teachings, focusing on core themes of Communion with God, Discipleship, and Justice. 

Through a combination of group gatherings and digital content, those new to Stairway will explore our vision of Relentless Love, deepen their relationship with God, and learn to live out Jesus’ mission of justice. 

Pathways will also guide toward practical steps for deeper integration and involvement in the church community, cultivating meaningful connections and empowering newcomers to become a community of resilient disciples who are formed into the image of Jesus—an image of relentless love. 

Sunday Gathering—10AM

Sunday morning gatherings are where we collectively join in prayer and worship, explore Scripture and enjoy being in community. If you are unable to join us in person, you can connect with us through our online community.

Prayer & Worship—5PM

Monthly Sunday Prayer & Worship Evenings are set aside for prayer, worship and intercession—A time for us to collectively get on our knees and seek the Lord to do what only He can do. Check the calendar below for dates.

Helpful Information

  • Sunday's at 10am at 171 Rooks Road, Vermont.

  • We have parking available onsite.

  • Our café is open before and after morning services for both; hot and cold drinks.

  • Families with babies and toddlers are welcome to use our purpose-built room, with inbuilt audio, at the rear of the auditorium.

  • If you have kids and would like them to join in with our Foreverland Kids Ministry, you can sign -in your school-age children 15 minutes prior to the service.

Our History

In 1990, a small group of families, led by Peter and Lyn McHugh, moved from C3 Oxford Falls in Sydney to start C3 Camberwell. The first meeting in Solway Primary School, Ashburton, had a grand total of 65 people in attendance. As we increased in number, we moved from Ashburton to Camberwell High School to Bank Street, Box Hill, in 1996, and finally into our own property in Rooks Road, Vermont, in November 2005. After much prayer and consideration, in 2011, we stepped out from under the umbrella of C3 and changed the name of the church to Stairway. After 33 years as the Senior Pastors, Peter and Lyn passed the leadership baton of Stairway over to a team in 2023. Today, Stairway is led by Maurice Benington, and David and Christy McHugh.

A smiling man with glasses and a woman with glasses standing together against a gray background.

Our Story of Relentless Love

We are a community who have been pursued and captivated by the relentless love of the Lord of Heaven and Earth.

Stairway is beginning a new chapter in the unfolding narrative of God’s unfailing love for us. As we surrender to Him, we step up into our true identity, His purposes and plans. We want His love to permeate all that we are and everything we do. We would like to invite you on this journey as together; we discover the fullness of His Kingdom.

What We Believe

We believe that there is only One God, the Eternal Creator, Redeemer and King. God expresses Himself in the persons of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

We believe that the Godhead is the ultimate image of Family. God is love. He is truth. He is life. He is always good. We believe that there is a Heaven and a Hell and that there is an inferior evil spiritual being, the devil. We believe that Jesus is the exact representation of the Father in human form. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to a virgin. He lived fully as a man, a sinless life, filled with signs and wonders, and gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.

We believe that by Jesus' death and resurrection, we have forgiveness of sins and adoption into the Family of God. Our identity is that of beloved sons and daughters of God. We believe that the example set by Jesus in Water Baptism and the celebration of Communion is a model for our lives and part of our expression as His followers.

We believe that after Jesus' death and resurrection, he ascended to Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. We believe that Jesus is coming back for his Bride, the Church, as he promised. We believe that God the Holy Spirit lives and is at work in us, and that His fruit and gifts are available to all. We believe that the Bible is the infallible and everlasting Word of God.

Governance

Elders

Our Elders are a group of men and women who are called to seek the will of Father God for Stairway and to see it realised in the life of our community.

  • Headshot of a smiling middle-aged man with short gray hair, wearing glasses and a checkered shirt, against a dark gray background.

    Andy Marks

  • A smiling older man wearing glasses and a black dress shirt with white polka dots standing against a dark background.

    Peter McHugh

  • A smiling man wearing black-rimmed glasses and a dark gray t-shirt against a dark background.

    Dave McHugh

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiling at the camera, wearing a light-colored top, against a dark background.

    Christy McHugh

  • Portrait of a middle-aged man with short gray hair, wearing a black shirt, standing against a dark background.

    Maurice Benington

  • A middle-aged man with short dark hair, glasses, and light skin, smiling and wearing a teal polo shirt, standing against a dark background.

    Pravin Ranchhod

  • Portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length dark hair wearing a green knit sweater and a silver necklace against a gray background.

    Sarah Wong

  • Portrait of a smiling woman with blonde hair, glasses, and earrings, wearing a dark red top, against a dark background.

    Nicola Wheatley Price

  • A portrait of a smiling man with short black hair and a beard, wearing a light gray button-up shirt, standing against a dark gray background.

    Kenneth Thor

Committee of Management

Our Committee of Management are a team of people who are called to steward and carry the governance responsibility for the legal entity of Stairway.

  • Smiling man with short dark hair and light skin, wearing a light patterned button-up shirt, standing against a dark background.

    Steve Wheatley Price

  • A middle-aged man with short gray hair wearing a black shirt, standing against a dark gray background, smiling softly.

    Maurice Benington

  • A smiling man wearing black-rimmed glasses and a dark gray shirt stands against a dark background.

    Dave McHugh

  • A smiling woman with glasses and shoulder-length curly blonde hair, wearing a white and navy striped shirt, standing against a dark gray background.

    Marissa Sprott

  • Joyie Choi

  • A smiling man with glasses and long dark hair wearing a red and black plaid shirt against a gray background.

    Derrick Toh

  • Portrait of a smiling man with short dark hair, wearing a black polo shirt with a striped collar, against a dark grey background.

    Stefanus Irwanto

Staff Governance Team

Our Staff Governance Team is a group of senior staff charged with leading, developing and growing the cultural and operational aspects of Stairway.

  • A smiling man with short dark hair, glasses, and a dark gray shirt against a dark gray background.

    Dave McHugh

  • A woman with shoulder-length curly dark brown hair, wearing a light-colored top and earrings, smiling at the camera against a dark background.

    Christy McHugh

  • Headshot of an older man with short gray hair, wearing a black button-up shirt, smiling slightly, against a plain gray background.

    Maurice Benington

  • A woman with curly blonde hair, wearing glasses and a striped shirt, smiling against a dark background.

    Marissa Sprott

  • A woman with curly red hair and glasses wearing a purple top, smiling against a dark background.

    Sarah Hudson

Staff

Meet the Team

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    Dave McHugh

    Senior Pastor

  • A woman with dark wavy hair wearing a light beige top, smiling against a dark grey background.

    Christy McHugh

    Senior Pastor

  • Portrait of a middle-aged man with short gray hair, wearing a black button-up shirt, smiling slightly, against a dark gray background.

    Maurice Benington

    Senior Pastor

  • A woman with curly red hair, wearing glasses and a maroon sweater, smiling against a dark background.

    Sarah Hudson

    Associate Pastor - Spiritual Formation

  • Portrait of a smiling woman with short curly blonde hair, wearing glasses and a white shirt with black horizontal stripes, standing against a dark background.

    Marissa Sprott

    Associate Pastor - Ministry Support

  • Portrait of a woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a white blazer, black top, gold jewelry, and red lipstick, smiling against a dark background.

    Mec-Lynn Lee

    Communications & Events Coordinator - Ministry Support

  • A middle-aged woman with curly gray hair and glasses, wearing a plaid shirt, standing against a dark background.

    Kelly Dubbeld

    Finance & Payroll Coordinator.

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, smiling, wearing a gray sweater with ruffled details on the shoulders, against a dark background.

    Suzanne Toh

    Office & Infrastructure Manager

  • A middle-aged woman with curly red hair smiling, wearing a light gray button-up shirt, against a dark gray background.

    Dalene Watson

    Reception & Office Support

  • A woman with wavy, light brown hair smiling, wearing a textured beige sweater with black trim, standing against a dark background.

    Anna Joyce

    Worship Pastor

  • A smiling man with light brown hair, beard, and mustache, wearing a light gray sweatshirt with a logo that says 'Mountain Peak Trails' and 'In Good Company,' standing against a dark background.

    Jeremy John

    Pastor - Music & Innovation; Youth

  • A smiling woman with short brown hair, glasses, and a floral blouse posing against a dark gray background.

    Deborah John

    Project Coordinator - Creative

  • A smiling man with a beard, wearing a maroon shirt, standing against a dark background.

    Leeroy Johnstone

    Pastor - Creative & Inclusion

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length brunette hair wearing a black blazer and shirt, accessorized with a heart-shaped pendant necklace standing against a dark background.

    Nartarsha Wisewould

    Associate Pastor - Community & Discipleship

  • A middle-aged man with short, light brown hair, wearing a dark sweater, smiling at the camera, standing against a dark background.

    Michael Miatke

    Associate Pastor - Community & Discipleship

  • A smiling man with short dark hair and facial stubble wearing a light gray Quiksilver hoodie against a dark background.

    Andrew Gilbert

    Pastor - Community and Discipleship

  • A smiling woman with blonde curly hair, wearing a black turtleneck and a blue denim jacket, standing against a dark grey background.

    Jo Smaller

    Pastor - Critical Pathways

  • Smiling man with dark hair, beard, wearing a green and white checkered shirt over a white t-shirt, standing against a dark background.

    Matthew Romano

    Pastor - Young Adults & Inclusion

  • A woman with long dark hair, wearing a white shirt and light gray cardigan, smiling at the camera against a dark gray background.

    Xiomy Prada

    Pastor - Children's Ministry

  • A young woman with dark hair tied up, wearing glasses, large hoop earrings, and layered gold necklaces with charms, smiling in front of a dark gray background, dressed in a green sweatshirt.

    Sameeya Johnstone

    Assistant Pastor - Children's Ministry

  • A woman with curly red hair smiling, wearing a black hoodie with the word "LEADER" written on it.

    Michelle Quinn

    Pastor - Youth Ministry

  • A middle-aged woman with light brown, wavy hair and glasses smiling at the camera, wearing a bright blue sweater and a gold necklace against a dark background.

    Sally Marks

    Pastor - Community Services

  • A woman with short dark hair and glasses smiling, wearing a gray sweater vest over a navy long-sleeve shirt, against a dark background.

    Maggie Koo

    Assistant Pastor - Community Services

  • A woman with short, wavy, blonde hair smiling, wearing a colorful, floral blouse against a dark background.

    Gillian Benington

    Assistant Pastor - Community Services

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a light pink blouse and black and white earrings, standing against a dark background.

    Stephanie Thor

    Assistant Pastor - Community Services