By Carolyn, NZCMS Personnel Manager
I’m delighted to be working for NZCMS – in fact, I’d call it my dream job because of my passion for mission and to see Mission Partners thrive in their calling. It also gives me an opportunity to use the twenty-eight years of my own personal experience serving God overseas.
Truth be told, being a Missionary was the one thing I didn’t want to become when I gave my life over to the Lord at age ten. By twenty-two, I was confident that I’d escaped that fate, but it was not to be. A short-term mission opportunity arose that I felt compelled to respond to and I ended up spending four months in Thailand working alongside a Kiwi missionary family. During that time, I discovered that I loved being on mission overseas and when I was asked to stay on permanently, I was very keen. However, as I prayed, it became clear that I needed to return to New Zealand, and I sensed I was going to meet my future spouse upon my return — and I did, at my very first week back in my home church!
Two years into our marriage, God spectacularly opened up an opportunity for us to go to a country in the Middle East. It was only eleven weeks between first hearing of that opportunity to arriving in the country. From there, the years just flew by – our children were born and raised there and eventually moved to New Zealand for university whilst we continued on for several more years. In 2018 though, to our surprise, it seemed that our home wasn’t to be home for much longer. We put out a fleece, which God responded to, and in late 2019 we packed our bags for the final time and returned to New Zealand.
For the first three years back here it felt like who I was, was best represented by an iceberg – the vast majority unseen to those around me. I struggled to see much connection at all between the things I’d been involved with overseas and my ‘new’ life. That all changed dramatically when I saw the role of Personnel Manager for NZCMS advertised. One day, the week before hearing I’d been successful in my application, I had a vivid picture come to my mind that I believed was from God. It was of a bridge that connected my old life with my new one, and so it was with joy that I accepted the role when it was offered, and I thank God daily for the opportunity to continue to serve in mission.
Thank you, Tessa. I remember Ray (and Jean) very warmly from our time at St Tim’s before we left for St John’s College at the beginning of 1987, and was excited many years later to learn of their visit to the Elliotts in Uganda. (We visited them in 1997 on study leave.) That visit, and a later one, showed their quiet growth in faith and mission during the years. I praise God for Ray’s life and service, and pray for the Comforter’s presence to be so close to Jean.
Hey there,
A friend of mine told me about you guys and I’d love to come along on Monday!
Cheers,
Caleb Croker
Hi Caleb, I’ve just seen your message. I apologise that this was missed. I assume you’re talking about the Seriously Interested in Mission group? The next one is August 11 and we’d love you to join. Can you email us at office@nzcms.org.nz (Rosie writing here)
Thank you Tessa
Thank you Archdeacon Fran. Mothers Union appreciated your input when we visited the Far North recently. Your wisdom and wise counsel made it a memorable weekend. God bless you in your new role.
Rev Fran, you and Rapiata are a gift to the Church. May the Lord bless you as you serve in this next season
With reference to the article ‘By invitation not invasion’. My husband and I were involved with CMS from the 1960s onward and this was always the attitude of CMS leadership. They deferred to the church leadership opinions whenever possible, wherever there was a local church. I’m not aware if this has change. It isn’t something new.
Hi Pauline,
I agree with you!! I don’t think this has changed, just good to re-iterate why and we send mission partners. This is Rosie writing — hope you’re doing well!
Yes Pauline it was the same for Alan and me. When we went to Singapore 1966–69 it was in response to a request from the Bishop oof Singapore and Malaya.