Kia Ora Baptist family!
The Assembly Council of the Baptist Union of New Zealand acts as the supporting governance group for our movement. It is a bit like ‘The Assembly between Assemblies’, or the Hui between our annual Hui.
We are aware of and concerned about implementation of vision, strategic action, and policy roll out that our movement is committed to.
We are appointed each November, being nominated from our churches for a two year term, usually four each year.
We engage especially with the executive staff of our movement, especially Charles Hewlett our National Leader, his executive Assistant Kathryn Heslop, and the Operations and Finance Director Wayne Schache. It is a blessing for us to be served by such dedicated staff- these three and the rest of the National Centre staff.
We meet six times a year, recently usually on Zoom…
We love discussion on what a ‘movement of thriving faith communities’ might look like as we seek to have robust leadership, growing disciples, effective mission and healthy resources for our churches.
We will often have representatives of a Baptist group meeting with us as we hear stories of mission and ministry.
The current Assembly Council is made up of myself; Chris Chamberlain (Oxford Terrace Baptist Church) and I'm the Chair. Josh Sandford (Whangaparāoa Baptist Church), Helen Brereton (Nelson Baptist Church), Das Devasundara Premedas (Ōtāhuhu Community Baptist Church), Angela Pederson (Bethlehem Baptist Church), Blue Bradley (Mosaic Morningside), Kerry Brewerton (Rangiora Baptist Church) and Ethan Miller (Windsor Park Baptist Church). Each is very keen to hear from you if governance of our movement is on your mind!
We are joined at the table by the Chair of the NZBMS Mission Council David Allen, the President of the Baptist Union Ravi Musuku, the Vice President (currently vacant) and representatives of Te Kapa Rautaki (National Strategic Team, Manatū Iriiri Māori) Leonnie Motu, Josie Te Kahu, and Matt Renata.
I will provide updates in this way around each of our meetings so please look out for them!
Chris Chamberlain, Assembly Council Chair
