Rod Robson is the Chair of our National Council and pastor at Opawa Baptist Church in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Expressions of interest for the National Leader role closed on 24 June 2025.
Dear Baptist Peeps,
Your National Council have been praying and discussing the Tumuaki-ā-motu / National Leader role since we met in December 2024 after the National Hui. During this time, we commissioned a Baptist pastor with a strong understanding of our movement and how organisations work to speak with several of our leaders. This proved to be a very useful exercise, which provided us with valuable guidance as we developed the position description.
We are now ready to move into the next stage of our process. See the position description online, which includes our assessment of the skills and qualities we are looking for in the next National Leader. Please note that we welcome applications from people who may not have served as pastors, provided they possess the skills and qualities we have identified. Please be thinking about anyone you know who God might be calling to this significant role.
The panel that will undertake this important process for us are:
- Ruby Duncan, Convenor, Chair of Mission Council, Mission Council representative on National Council.
- Eduardo Mendonca, Pastor of New Generation Church in Christchurch, member of Mission Council.
- Elliot Rice, Co-Pastor of Wellinton Central Baptist Church.
- Sarah Beisly, member of Paeroa Baptist Church, member of National Council, previously served with Arotahi in Calcutta.
- Daniel Choi, Pastor of Epsom Baptist Church.
- Arnie Hall, Pastor of Nelson Baptist Church, previously Pastor of Manukau City Baptist Church.
- Rangiaruaru Hema, member of Long Bay Baptist Church, member of Te Whāriki, Te Whāriki representative on National Council, previously Operations and Finance Director at the Baptist National Support Centre.
We have been well served by Charles Hewlett, our outgoing National Leader, and much has been achieved over the past six years. Please pray that we will find the right person to lead the movement into the future – someone who can bring us together despite our differences and keep our focus on Jesus and his mission to a broken world.
Cheers,
Rod Robson
National Council Chair
Image credit: Emma Diack, e-Camp at Finlay Park, April 2025.
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