By Bruce White, NZCMS Personnel Manager
Kia ora Whānau. I am blessed to have commenced with NZCMS as a Personnel Manager in early May. I have a varied Christian background, growing up in the Salvation Army, then the Pentecostal stream, followed by a Union Church and then 32 years ago moving into the Baptist group of churches. I am happily married to Karen with three adult children and three grandchildren, all who live in New Zealand.
I have a varied work background, which includes Banking, Commercial Property Management, selling Newspaper advertising and 17 years pastoring two Baptist Churches in New Zealand. While pastoring our first church, I had the opportunity to be involved in short-term trips to Hong Kong, Macau, China, India and Bangladesh. After ten years of pastoring, God called Karen and me to serve overseas with the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society in South Asia.
On our return to New Zealand seven years later, God called us to pastor a church in Christchurch for seven years before opening the door to work with NZCMS.
When not at work, I enjoy watching sports, and am a tragic Warriors supporter, together with most New Zealand teams playing in Australian competitions. If time allows, we enjoy time away in our two-berth caravan.
The first week has reinforced how much I have to learn, and I am grateful to my colleagues for their patience in this regard. However, I am excited by what I am learning and am looking forward to what God has in store.
Shalom,
Bruce White
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.