Destiny Church is just getting stronger according to its Rotorua pastor, despite a reported split at the top of its Auckland-based leadership.
Church founder Bishop Brian Tamaki's right-hand man Richard Lewis has left Destiny to start his own Manukau City church. His exit follows the departures last year of long-serving members Paul and Michelle Hubble and media spokeswoman Janine Cardno.
Rotorua pastor Rewi Hare, however, has rejected suggestions the series of defections was a major blow to the church, which started in Rotorua. Mr Hare, who shares the pastor role with wife Davina, said that was just four people compared with the many more who had joined in recent months.
"They [had] a level of influence but [that's] nothing in comparison to what's been happening in the last couple of months," he said.
"There are more people coming in than going out."