Alan Jamieson is the General Director of Arotahi, part of the Baptist Union of New Zealand.
Kia ora Arotahi whānau,
We wanted to give you an update on Arotahi’s relationship with, and presence in, Bangladesh.
You’ve been part of the journey with us for some time now, which means you know 2 things:
· We love Bangladesh, and we have for the last 138 years
· We believe God is carving renewal into every corner of the world, and we want to partner wholeheartedly with God to be a part of it
You know Arotahi loves Bangladesh because you have witnessed the faithfulness and willingness of people like Ross and Cindy as they have served, loved, and partnered with the local church and wider community for 37 years. And you know that God is weaving renewal into Bangladesh when you hear the melody of sincere worship at the persecuted local village church, or when you step foot into any one of the student homes we are part of supporting.
A few weeks ago, we shared that Ross and Cindy, together with Mission Council, agreed that it would be the right time for them to be formally released from their call with the Baptist Churches of New Zealand. Then, last Monday we shared that Brian and Gay Cochran will be basing themselves in Bangladesh early next year to help steward a new season of partnership with Bangladesh.
Some of you may have questions around the changes and details, which we’ll chat more about below, but we want you to know that we are committed to our long-term friendship and partnership with Bangladesh. We are following the prompting of Jesus into the new unknown, trusting that he’ll use Aotearoa Baptists to do what we can’t; bring renewal.
A Bangladeshi leader we work alongside said to us, “NZBMS has been here for 6 generations, we are looking for the 7th”. We are being invited by the local church of Bangladesh to be part of God’s renewal in a nation with hand—carved beauty as well as immense need.
We aren’t afraid of change or new, instead we are excited and expectant for this next season — and because this is your story as much as it is ours, you should be too! Are you, or someone you know, part of our seventh generation?
Ka nui te aroha ki a koutou,
Your Arotahi whānau
Decision-making and discernment
Read on (those that are interested) for some key points around the decision-making and discernment process that has taken, and is still taking, place:
· In 2022, Ross & Cindy’s work capacity was becoming overly stretched as many new and exciting doors were opening through their work in education. This led to Ross passing the leadership of our NGO Tranzsend Bangladesh to a temporary Country Leader and now a permanent Operations Director.
· Later in 2022, a sub-group of Mission Council and two Māori leaders went to Bangladesh to review the work of Arotahi. After listening to the leaders of the Bangladesh church, visiting places and people we work with, and spending time with Ross & Cindy; Mission Council decided to pray and work towards a new season of continued work in Bangladesh.
· Recently Ross & Cindy, along with Mission Council, agreed that it would be the right time for them to be formally released from their call to mission work under NZBMS. Arotahi has committed to continue the involvement and financial support of projects under the Bangladesh Baptist Churches (BBCF), Baptist Aid Bangladesh, and the Theological College (CCTB).
· At the same time, Arotahi asked Brian & Gay to be based in Bangladesh to lead and support the work of Arotahi - with a new strand of enabling people to have 3-9 month cross-cultural experiences. Our hope would be that God would use these experiences to prompt people into longer term cross-cultural partnerships. Brian has agreed to take up the Country Leader role of Tranzsend Bangladesh and will be working closely with the leadership of the Bangladesh Baptist Churches and Baptist Aid.
· Throughout 2023 we worked with four NZ Baptist churches and invited them to consider a deep and generational commitment with the churches of Bangladesh. This involved taking a handful of leaders from each of the four churches to Bangladesh in January 2024 and asking them to commit to partnership with one or two specific projects. This shared involvement will be the foundation for relationship growth between the local church in Aotearoa and the local church in Bangladesh.
· Ross & Cindy have now arrived back in NZ for a planned 3-month home assignment. We want to properly thank, honour and release them at National Hui in November and invite you to join us on Mission Day (Wednesday 6 November at Rangiora Baptist Church) to do that with us. We will also do this on the Thursday gathering evening (7 November). We want to recognise and value the life-long commitment of love they have made to God’s people and God’s church in Bangladesh. We plan to celebrate and honour them well.
· After National Hui, Ross and Cindy will be part of our four-yearly global team gathering before returning to Bangladesh to be part of passing leadership. We will keep those of you who support Ross & Cindy, financially and prayerfully, updated on the details of this as together we make further decisions. We ask that your financial support continue during this time. Ross & Cindy will continue to be involved in God’s renewal work in Bangladesh, particularly in the education projects they have developed, but this will not be under Arotahi.
· We received an amazing gift of generosity this year, which has enabled us to grow the number of students we can sponsor in five BBCF student homes, as well as underwrite the priority project of the Bangladesh Baptist Church Leadership – the necessary rebuilding of three of the hostels. Rangiora, Manukau City, and Bethlehem Baptist churches are looking to support these hostels in their rebuild and commit to a continued partnership here. Building designs are now set and work will begin soon on the second storey of the Feni hostel as step 1 of this project.
· The team at Tranzsend Bangladesh and Arotahi (NZ) will be developing our FD6. This is an agreed plan of the next five years, specifically outlining locations of work, visa expectations, finances, government permissions, etc. This is a huge and significant undertaking and one we would love prayer and wisdom for.
The above gives you an idea of the general direction. Many conversations and decisions are still live and unfolding, which we intend to keep you updated on as soon as we can. We’re grateful for your prayer as we sense together where God is leading and the next steps God is revealing amongst us.
Please also think of the nation of Bangladesh as you pray. The political situation is far from stable and there has been widespread flooding causing devastating damage to churches, homes and livelihoods. Let’s continue to be led by Jesus as we give our prayer and hearts to those in need around the world.
Image credit: Outside a train window, Dhaka, by Mike Crudge