Dear Friends                                                                                                                                             

 There are moments in life personally and within families when major decisions have to be made. Some people find the process for making these quite tortuous, others can do so with great speed, but I suspect most of us take at least a little time to work things through in order to get the best decision possible. There is no magic formula that ensures we get it right every time because there are so many variable factors  such as the type of decision, stage of life, numbers of people affected, state of wellbeing, etc, etc.

 In the last few weeks I have had occasion to go through such a process – Mary and I have decided that I will conclude my ministry as National Administrator at the end of April next year. The time has come for me to lower the stress levels in my life and take a break before perhaps giving myself to other endeavours within the Kingdom that Heavenly Father may have for me. There are also heaps of things that I also want to be about in a season of semi retirement in Waihi.

 It is also time for someone else to come into this role with fresh eyes, ideas, and perspectives that will benefit our movement and your mission with Jesus in the years ahead.  So I would ask for your prayers and thinking caps as the group from Assembly and Mission Councils work through finding the new person. The position is advertised in The Baptist that is going out to churches this week so if you know of anyone who might be interested or fit the requirements then please direct them or make suggestions to Peter Foster, Chairman of Assembly Council who wants to receive expressions of interest – email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 My finishing time will be 3 months short of 17 years in the office in the two different roles, firstly as Accountant for almost 7 years and then as National Administrator for the past 9 years and I can honestly say it has been a very rewarding and enriching period of service that I have been privileged to experience with you all.

And there is still 7 months to go so I will do my best to keep up the work as God equips and enables.

Many of you like me will have watched in the last 3 weeks more rugby than is good for us, and there are still 3 weeks to go. Keep enjoying the atmosphere, tensions, the yells of support, the special moves on the field, and if you get to a game or two then cheer like mad. I am going to the Wales – Fiji game this Sunday in Hamilton which will be quite historic as I have been to very few rugby test matches – the only two I can recall are the “underwater” game at Eden Park in the 1970’s and the fogged out match at Jade Stadium against the Lions three(?) years ago.  But I have enjoyed many while sitting in our lounge.

 Bless your springtime and lawn mowing for Jesus.