What do you do at SIM NZ? If you could describe your role in no more than two sentences, what would you tell us?

I am the National Director for the New Zealand office. I get to lead the team that cares for the people we send, and build relationships with our donors and churches.

Tell us about your journey into global missions.

This is a fun question. In university, I had a call into ministry when I responded to an altar call at the church we were attending. I actually talked to SIM at an Urbana conference quite a bit and thought global missions would start right out of uni. When I graduated, though, doors never opened in missions but they did open in the marketplace, so I began a career in banking. I still had this call but thought maybe it would be realized in another way.

As I entered my fifth year at the bank, I felt God say, ‘This will be your last year in banking,’ and it was. In September, I was offered a job at our church and accepted it. I thought maybe this was the ‘missions’ God called me to. I kept praying God would give me a heart for somewhere in the world as I worked in youth ministry.

Six years later, I was asked to lead a team here to NZ to help the Wesleyan Methodist Church start a youth camp (something we had done successfully in the US). While in this role, I fell in love with the church of NZ and their efforts to reach those around them. I felt God was saying, ‘Here is the answer to your prayer!’ In 2007, we were accepted by Global Partners and came to NZ in 2010 to help with a recent church plant – Cession Community.

Our previous director, Nigel Webb, was a friend of mine, and I got to see a bit of what he did. I thought, ‘What a cool role, but I’ve chosen a different path.’ God has His own plans though. When Nigel finished the role, he said, “You should check out my role”. I looked at the position description and it was like God had orchestrated every season of life to prepare me for the SIM Director role. I applied, and the rest is history.

What do you enjoy about working for SIM?

There is no short answer to this question. I love this role because I get to serve the people we send behind the scenes, and work with the local church here in New Zealand. I enjoy working as a strategist, equipping, encouraging, and enabling others. I love the team of people I get to work with – we have a phenomenal group of people who make the SIM NZ office what it is. AND…both DaNae and I love the local church! It is a privilege to work with churches all over NZ to embrace and engage in global mission, whether that is preaching, caring for a mission partner, or helping with a mission course.

I don’t see the Director role as a forever-role; however, I’d love to serve as long as I have something to contribute that is valuable to SIM NZ.

What are some of the challenges in your role?

Haha – admin. This takes a lot of discipline for me. In reality, seeing any of our people struggle, both here in the office and globally. I’ve seen how committed and how hard everyone works, and yet the mountain of needs still stays pretty big. I also recognize that when others struggle, sometimes they need a ‘target’, and I get to be that. I think it is one of the unwritten responsibilities in my position description.

Some might be challenged by the ever-changing needs that pop up and interrupt your day but I’m wired to love those moments.

Tell us about your family.

DaNae and I will celebrate our 34^th anniversary next month. When we moved here, our boys were 12 (Caleb) and 6 (Aedan). Now, Caleb is 26 and has just finished his Masters studies at the University of Auckland. Aedan will be 21 next month and is studying at Massey in Wellington. We also have two fur babies – Cayde the Dog and Pumpkin the Cat.

What do you enjoy in your spare time?

I love to hike, hunt, and fish – I’d be out every weekend if I was nearer (and had access) to hunting and fishing places. When indoors, I like to read, play games, or tie flies (for flyfishing). I enjoy going to the gym as well – I never thought I’d say that and then it became a habit.

A lesson you have learnt in life that you would like to share:

I just shared this with our staff but it’s a great lesson, so I want to repeat it here. Early on in our marriage, DaNae and I were arguing over something, and I made an assumption regarding her motivation for doing that thing. I actually forget what we were arguing about, but I remember the hurt look on her face and her reply to me, “Of all the reasons you can think of for me to do [whatever we were arguing about], why did you choose THAT one?” And she was totally right. I could have filled in the blanks with anything, so why did I land on a reason that saw her negatively?

That question has stuck with me. It comes to mind A LOT – when I listen to it, it has helped me to re-examine the assumptions I make and try to see the best option in others, whether it’s something simple like driving, or something intense in a personal relationship.

How can we pray for you?

• Pray for the unexpected – this role is full of them, and at the end of the day, I feel it’s me that holds the responsibility
• I’m sure there are going to be a lot of unexpected adjustments as I step into a year without my mum. I don’t know what to specifically ask for, but I know our family will need it.
• For healing of my back – it is being treated well but pain management doesn’t motivate me. I’m working towards healing and restoration.

To give to the SIM NZ office, visit here.