Nevin and Nicky recently had the opportunity to work in Nigeria, a country very different to their own. Nevin is one of the pastors at Church on Vogel in Palmerston North and Nicky is involved in administration at their church.

“A couple of years ago, I met Grant Birks at a conference. He served with SIM in Nigeria, alongside his family for many years,” comments Nevin, “He asked me what I was interested in and passionate about. I told him I love teaching theology, as that is what I am trained in. Grant then suggested that I consider going to Nigeria to teach theology. Nicky thought it was a great opportunity too, so from there we started to connect with SIM.”

Nicky reflects on her own experiences learning about mission work when she was growing up.

“When I was younger, our church was always very supportive of missionaries. I would listen to a lot of their stories but thought this was something I could never do myself.”

The cost of discipleship

After making their plans to go to Nigeria, they were soon on their way and settled into ministry. Nevin began his teaching at the ECWA Theological Seminary in Jos (JETS).

“Everyone there was super helpful and made sure I had everything I needed. I was originally going to teach two courses. But, due to visa issues, it ended up being one course.”

Nevin taught for three hours every afternoon on an overview of Paul’s letters.

“A lot of the passages we looked at focused on suffering for the faith and the cost of discipleship. Along with that, we looked at God’s promise of restoration after suffering.”

Nicky and Nevin also had the opportunity to visit various SIM Ministries in Jos.

“We saw some real difficulties and suffering being reflected in some of these ministries. There seemed to be a lot of faith expressed that was very real, very concrete and reflected complete ‘on-fire’ commitment. By becoming a Christian, their own families could potentially reject them. They faced immense pressures,” reflects Nevin.

This led Nevin to think about being a follower of Jesus and what this means in other parts of the world.

“In the West, we tend to play the Christian role and can stick the name of Jesus on to the ends of things. No one here in New Zealand is bothered that I am a Christian, let alone a pastor. No one gets angry when I share Jesus with them.”

For Nevin and Nicky, they saw a very different church in Nigeria.

“The church in Nigeria was asking how they can support those who have been accused of witchcraft; this was a very new concept to us,” says Nevin, “When we did our ministry tour, I was asked to share with a group of women. I felt very unqualified to share with them who had fled intense persecution, yet they continue to worship God and are on fire for Jesus.”

Reflection and revelation

Both Nicky and Nevin have a lot to take away from their time in Nigeria.

“There was a lot of mutual learning going on. We realised you need to be intentional about being open to everything and have a willingness to learn. It’s so important to ask God to highlight what he wants to teach you.”

Nicky says, “I learnt that we’re not actually needed for God’s kingdom work to be completed. Yet he gifts us and calls us into his mission to participate in what he is already doing. Know how God has gifted you, and run in that lane, and he will do the rest.”

Further reflections have caused them to consider their future role in missions.

“We need to simply focus on what God is already doing and have the courage to be part of it. We saw some of the sacrifices the local people are making in fulfilling God’s purposes in their own country.”

Nevin and Nicky had the full support of Church on Vogel to go to Nigeria.

“The seminary in Nigeria wrote to our church elders and thanked them for sending us. JETS was very intentional in using partnership language, and our elders shared this vision too.”

Their church is also looking at how they are supporting current mission partners.

“We had other young people going overseas too at the same time as us. It was great to touch base with them while we were in Nigeria.”

Contact SIM NZ today to find out where you fit in God’s mission.