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Serving in the South Pacific involves serving members in three separate and unique countries—New Zealand, Fiji and Australia—and presents rewards and challenges.
Our congregation in New Zealand is small and scattered and has unique challenges shaped by the country’s demographics and geography. New Zealand is a multicultural society, with significant Māori, Pasifika and Asian communities alongside a Pākehā (European descent) majority. Our congregation includes individuals with roots in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, the Philippines, Chile, India and Egypt.
Geographically, the challenges are compounded by the fact that our congregation meets in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, while many members live in remote areas—such as the far north, south and even Stewart Island—and can only participate via webcast.
The country’s secular trends and the growing number with no religious affiliation make church growth and engagement particularly difficult, especially among the younger generations. Nevertheless, much of our congregation’s growth has come through personal connections with Church members. Half of our congregation is made up of first-generation members. Recently, there has been significant growth among young couples with children, providing a promising opportunity to pass on the truth to a new generation.
The Fijian brethren are scattered around their island nation and mostly watch the New Zealand webcast in their own homes. Once a month, they all gather at a central location to fellowship and watch the New Zealand webcast together. The senior pastor makes four quarterly visits. It’s a relatively easy flight from Auckland, and the nation is fairly easy to navigate. These visits allow members the chance to visit with the pastor, as well as hear him live at services and share a meal together.
In January 2025 Australia was added to the senior pastor responsibilities for the South Pacific region. Trips to Australia (every six to eight weeks) will present their own unique challenges. There are currently 31 members scattered across the country.
With three different nations and cultures, the senior pastor must navigate a diverse spiritual and cultural landscape, ensuring that God’s truth takes precedence over cultural traditions.
