The 2025 annual update from Children and Families Catalyst Jan Ozanne.
Jesus put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me…” Mark 9:36-37
I am writing this report at the beginning of my sixth week as the Children and Families Catalyst for the Baptist Union. For the previous four years, I have been the National Points Person, a one-day a week job focused on communicating and resourcing.
I am excited for the potential this new, three-day role holds, to make some real and sustained progress towards fulfilling our vision to support Baptist faith communities in their ministry and mission with children and families, to see faith formation and gospel renewal.
Faith formation in children is more than running programmes! We know that a significant number of people become followers of Jesus as children. This is a crucial time to foster God connection, identity and a sense of belonging to the Body of Christ. Plus, our faith communities need the voices of children. This is what it means to truly welcome our young people in the name of Jesus. Our team is committed to journeying with our churches in order to do this well.
As a team, we acknowledge that faith formation is the work of the Holy Spirit. We want to join what God is doing, through: Excellence in Children’s Ministry and Mission, Church and Home Partnership, Intergenerational Community and an Integrated Strategy for Faith Formation. These are the foundations of our mahi.
Over the past year, our team met together regularly to support one another in our work in our regional associations. Steph Wood is the coach for the Upper South Regional Association, I cover the Bay of Plenty and Raewyn Moodie was the coach for the Northern Baptist Association. We met in March at a three-day retreat, to strategise, advocate for better resourcing and plan for the future.
We have produced a monthly eConnect newsletter with stories and resource ideas.
We have contributed to training opportunities such as Intergenerate and Kia Tipu, and have run cluster groups.
We farewelled Raewyn Moodie, whose contribution to children and families in NZ Baptist churches is massive. She leaves a big hole in our team and will be greatly missed. Thank you, Raewyn!
One of my first jobs, as the Children and Families Catalyst, is to listen and continue to dream about what is possible when we give our children and families the resourcing it needs and deserves. I am formulating plans to bring about change under the headings training, resourcing, connecting and influencing/advocating.
Watch this space, as we work together to help our children thrive both now and into the future.
This report is from the 2025 Annual Report of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand which can be viewed here.
Image: Children and Families coaching team with Charles Hewlett and Christine Stride
