By Garry Sanossian
Living Grace Church of Christ in Tweed Heads has farewelled Pastor John Latta after nine years of ministry, honouring him with a celebration service on 24 August.
John began as pastor in late 2016, serving with grace, compassion and practical care. His ministry had a strong focus on community engagement, particularly through his work as a Disaster Recovery Network Chaplain during floods, fires and droughts.
For Living Grace Board Member Lynne McPherson, who served alongside John, his consistent emphasis on grace stands out most. “John’s very clear and unwavering focus on grace frees us to accept grace and to offer grace to others,” she said.
“He models Jesus with gentle, quiet, clearly focused leadership that loves our neighbour in practical ways. He galvanised the community to act together with housing, clothing, food and an open heart.”
His ministry consistently pointed people toward the grace and love of God, a theme echoed in his final sermon titled “Living Grace” after the church’s recent name change.
“We’re not just teaching it as a doctrine, we’re teaching it as a lifestyle. My final word was unconditional love and grace,” John said.
John Latta at Living Grace.
The farewell service was marked by live music, and worship andd by friends travelling from near and far to celebrate John’s final service. After the service, people shared their thanks and thoughts over an open mic, with many highlighting John’s steady focus on grace and identity in Christ as his lasting legacy.
Over the past several years, whenever natural disasters struck the Northern Rivers, John was there not only as a pastor but also as a disaster recovery chaplain. He served in evacuation centres during bushfires, supported the community through major floods and helped mobilise practical aid when people were in crisis.
Under his leadership, the church partnered with the community to send three semi-trailer loads of supplies to fire-affected towns, using their sports centre as a recovery base until the 2022 flood left it half a metre underwater.
“Whether in a flood evacuation centre or in housing people without a home, his focus was to serve with love and dignity,” Lynne said.
“John’s heart for the marginalised always meant looking beyond our walls.”
Church Elders members gather in prayer, laying hands on John.
That commitment to serving the wider community continues. Across the road from the church, a former nursing home has been transformed into a 70-room residential complex for people who were homeless. “We prayed that the building across the road would be used to house homeless people, and that prayer was answered,” he said.
John is now in discussions with Social Futures about taking on a formal role. “Now I have the chance to serve as a chaplain there, walking with people as they rebuild their lives.”
As John steps into a new season, he continues to serve part-time as a disaster recovery chaplain in Lismore.
John Latta with his family.
Lynne said the church is taking time to discern its next steps. “We are working on what’s next right now, carefully looking at options and not rushing,” she said. “We may appoint a part-time pastor, but we also really want people in the community to step up and share their talents.”
She also spoke of the church’s hope and prayer for John and Jill. “First and foremost, we hope for a season of rest and peace for John and Jill,” she said. “Time to reflect on a wonderful body of work, then the space to listen for what comes next.”
