Earlier this month, we made our first of many trips to New Zealand. Our initial travels held the following purposes: to establish relationships with the pastors and missionaries throughout the country, and gain clear guidance from God on His specific will for our lives. Throughout our trip, both of these goals were achieved.
Our first few days were spent with Pastor Bob McLain on the outskirts of Auckland. He has established several churches on the North Island in New Zealand since arriving in the early 1990's. We were able to learn more in a few days through his experience than years of research could have taught us. We had the opportunity to meet almost every pastor on the North Island through a Men's Retreat we attended for several days. A couple of the pastors at that retreat allowed us to stay with them and helped us learn parts of the culture and ministry in New Zealand.
Pastor Jono Millar and Pastor Dan Fraser are two men who were reached through American missionaries as teenagers. They now pastor the churches that they were reached through and both have very effective outreach in a predominantly non-religious country. The final pastor we stayed with has also been there since the 1990's, Pastor Garth Piper. His co-laborer, Craig Comstock, has been in New Zealand for several years and both of them gave more insight into life in New Zealand. The image associated with this post is of their current church building.
As you can see, the goal of meeting pastors was a success. The other goal, of getting clear guidance, was achieved as well. We're planning to move to Tauranga and work with Pastor Dan Fraser. Our first deputation meeting is scheduled in September 2020 and our target length for deputation is 14 months. We are looking forward to beginning this next stage of the journey toward mission work in New Zealand!
