On the 30th June, Rev Ian Yong was commissioned by NZCMS in a new role of Intercultural Ministries Enabler working within the Auckland Diocese. A man of several hats, Ian also serves as an assistant priest at St Paul’s Symonds Street. During his time there, he has started a fruitful ministry among international students in central Auckland – running outreach lunches, Alpha, and recently baptising several students.
This new part-time role with NZCMS has the goal of supporting other churches to engage in ministry with people from other nations, and helping our churches to be places of intercultural worship and fellowship. Ian will work alongside Rev Alice Kinyua (who is based in Nelson) and build on the work started by Bishop Ana Fletcher, previous NZCMS team member and now assistant bishop in the Wellington Diocese. Ian will continue his ministry at St Paul’s for 30 hours, and in this new role with NZCMS for 10 hours per week.
So how did Ian find himself in this space?
God works in Mysterious Ways
If you sit down and listen to the story of Ian Yong and his wife Daisy, you cannot help but reflect on the Scripture Isaiah 55v8: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Ian says, “I am a Malaysian born Chinese Anglican Priest, married to Daisy, and we have two children, Gabby and Isaac. We had been part of a Chinese Church in Auckland for 15 years before joining the Anglican Church.”
Eleven years prior Daisy would say “we lived the perfect life”. They were settled, living on the North Shore of Auckland, ministering to overseas students, in a church they loved, enjoying life, and certainly not Anglican!
God started unsettling the Yongs with the sense that they should move to Christchurch. While they had some family in Christchurch, they were content and settled and had no reason to move. It was a genuine wrestle until it become clear that this was indeed God’s leading and so in faith they made the move to Christchurch, right after the earthquakes.
On arriving in Christchurch, attending an Anglican Church was not on the radar, but their children had attended St Timothy’s Anglican in Burnside and loved it. “Just come once”, they asked, “please”!
That “once” saw God confirm this was where they were supposed to be. As they settled into the church and make their life in Christchurch.
“While at St Timothy’s, the Anglican Parish of Burnside-Harewood,” Ian says, “we heard the call for ordination and were sent back to Auckland for training at St. John’s college. After serving at St Matthias, Panmure Parish, running the Alpha Course witnessing many people especially those of Chinese origin came to Christ, we had the privilege of joining St Paul’s Symonds Street.”
Weaving a picture of partnership
The church service on the 30th of June at St Paul’s Symonds Street Anglican Church in Auckland was a picture of a beautiful partnership between St Pauls, the Diocese of Auckland, NZCMS and Ian himself to serve this city and the diversity of people’s who live there.
Ian sees himself as a trailblazer, called to walk the edges of the Pākehā world and minister to many international students via St Paul’s student lunch ministry and running Chinese Alpha among other things. He says, “I am excited to work with NZCMS to join in with God in serving Auckland city to see how we can support cross-cultural ministry and mission with internationals in Auckland. I pray when God calls, we follow, Jesus sends, we go, and the Holy Spirit moves, we are transformed. No more, no less!”
Get in Touch
If you’re a church wanting to engage in evangelism and discipleship across cultures in NZ, Ian (ian@nzcms.org.nz) and Alice (alice@nzcms.org.nz) would love to hear from you.
If you would like to support Ian financially or prayerfully, please contact NZCMS via our website or call us and we would be happy to help.
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.