Here are the 2023 election results for those re-elected or elected to President roles, Assembly Council, Mission Council, Carey Baptist College Board, and the Baptist Women’s Board. Votes were submitted at the Baptist National Hui (2-4 November 2023) by voting delegates representing our Baptist churches.
Thank you to all those people who were willing to be nominated, willing to serve our union of churches in these ways.
President
(Presidential term 2023/24)
The President has a valuable role to play as a representative of our movement. They participate at a governance level on the Assembly Council and Mission Council. As they visit regions around the country, they encourage and exhort our pastors and support the ministry of our Union of churches through encouragement and prayer. What they actually do is shaped each year by the skills and experience each individual President brings to the role.
Susan Osborne
Susan is a member of Trinity Baptist Church, Titahi Bay and was nominated as President by Assembly Council.
“I see this as another opportunity to serve the Baptists of New Zealand and I will bring a strong cross cultural emphasis in any contribution I can make.”
Susan has had a long history with the Baptist movement. She has served overseas as an NZBMS global worker for many years and worked in the national office of NZBMS. She is pastoral, caring and a person who looks around for what needs doing and does it.
Susan has a deep love of God, a passion for seeing people changed by Jesus, knowledge of what it means to be Baptist, Biblical wisdom, history of the Baptist movement and people, good listening skills, and compassion for people.
Get to know more about Susan here.
Vice President
(Presidential term 2023/24)
Allan Taylor
Allan is a member of Eastgate Christian Centre and was nominated by Andy Shudall.
“I’m passionate about seeing our Baptist Churches thrive – bringing gospel renewal to people and places in their local neighbourhoods. I resonate strongly with our National Leader’s vision that our churches be characterised by robust leadership, growing disciples, authentic worship, and heathy resources”.
Get to know more about Allan here.
Assembly Council
Our Assembly Council acts in a governance role. It is responsible for establishing policies and practices consistent with both the determinations of the annual Assembly of the churches (our National Hui each November) and in between Assembly/Hui for the wellbeing of our movement of faith communities and churches.
Greg Motu
Greg is a member of Hosanna Dannevirke Baptist Church and was nominated by Hosanna Dannevirke.
“I love the diversity of the Baptist family and am keen that voices from minority and mainstream communities, big and small churches, country churches and urban churches, are heard and help shape our future”.
Get to know more about Greg here.
Rachelle Martin
Rachelle is a member of Ilam Baptist Church and was nominated by the Ilam Baptist Church Governance Team.
“To this role, I would bring more than 30 years’ experience of leadership in both church and non-church contexts, an ability to work collaboratively, a desire to work as an active ally of the marginalised, and a commitment to listen to, serve and partner with people of diverse faith perspectives and experiences”.
Get to know more about Rachelle here.
Das Premadas
Das is a member of Ōtāhuhu Community Baptist Church and was nominated by Ōtāhuhu Community Baptist Church.
“I can count on the many years of experience I have been at governance tables at Church, at a local school and also on Assembly Council”.
Get to know more about Das here.
Sarah Beisly
Sarah is a member of Paeroa Baptist Church and was nominated by Bryce Millar.
“I am a good fit for this role, as I bring a passion for and commitment to gospel renewal with people and places, which would further strengthen Assembly Council’s governance, to ensure the Baptist Union achieves this strategic goal”.
Get to know more about Sarah here.
Ravanetta (Maiava) Sititi
Ravanetta is a member of Hosanna Lighthouse Baptist Church and was nominated by Hosanna Lighthouse Baptist Church.
“My heart has always been for our Samoan Baptist churches to excel in the things of the Lord and I believe that my knowledge of our culture and my ability to work with people of all ages and backgrounds will allow for our Samoan Baptist churches to break traditional barriers and stereotypes and bring a breakthrough that I know God has for our Pasifika people”.
Get to know more about Ravanetta here.
Assembly Council members halfway through their two-year term
Blue Bradley, Angus Budge, Rod Robson
For more information about our Assembly Council see here.
Mission Council
Mission Council supports and helps to guide the work of Arotahi (our global mission arm). They are the encouragers and inspirers of hand–carved mission across our Baptist whānau. Kelly Enright at Arotahi said, “We are proud of the different skills and identities that are represented on our Council and are thankful for those who are committing to stand again in this season of change and stepping into the new”.
Bradley Nicolson
Bradley is a member of Oxford Terrace Baptist Church and was nominated by the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Elders.
“I bring skills in strategic thinking, governance, finance & project management but it is my love for the Bible and Jesus that stirs me to be radical in my love for God’s people and places”.
Get to know more about Bradley here.
Eduardo Mendonca
Eduardo is a member of New Generation Church and was nominated by the New Generation Church Elders.
“I am passionate about missions and have always felt God drawing me to contribute to this ministry. I firmly believe that my experience, South American roots, and current involvement in pastoring a multicultural church are unique characteristics that will add value to the Mission Council Board”.
Get to know more about Eduardo here.
Denny Wilson-Takaanini
Denny is a member of Māngere Baptist Church and was nominated by John Catmur.
“Working within community organisations governance and iwi trust structures for over thirty years gives you good ears, and hands, and an understanding of the rhythms required to work together in a manner that creates and encourages regular miracles for the organisation and people you are serving as a board member of Mission Council”.
“This joy of undertaking your best steps alongside of others with different gifts and achieving or strengthening the joint vision – the joint dance, is the blessing of serving in the centre of Gods will each day gives us all. This intergenerational service is an honour”.
Get to know more about Denny here.
Ravi Musuku
Ravi is a member of Balmoral Community Baptist Church in Auckland and was nominated by Devasundara Das Premadas.
“I have a deep passion for mission and a good grasp and understanding of mission to Asian and Islamic countries”.
Get to know more about Ravi here.
Katie Kingsthwaite
Katie is a member of South West Baptist Church in Christchurch and was nominated by South West Baptist Church.
“I have personal and professional experience alongside a deep passion for the mahi of mutual transformation. A commitment to supporting the shaping of Arotahi and the wider baptist movement to reflect on our legacy, live meaningfully in our present and courageously dream for our future”.
Get to know more about Katie here.
Mission Council members halfway through their two-year term
Susan Barrett, Stu Hastings, Brian Cochran, Ruby Duncan.
Carey Baptist College Board
The Carey Board is responsible for the governance of our theological College. This board needs members who will help the College align its life and programmes with its mission and strategic plan.
Grant Harris
Grant is a member of Windsor Park Baptist Church in Auckland and was nominated by Windsor Park Baptist Church.
“I’ve been part of the Carey board for 20 years, so bring strong institutional knowledge to the table”.
Get to know more about Grant here.
Mark Powell
Mark is a member of Whangaparāoa Baptist Church and was nominated by Whangaparāoa Baptist Church.
“My business experience combined with my mix of pastoral theological experience adds a helpful dimension to the Carey board”.
Get to know more about Mark here.
Santhosh George
Santhoash is a member of Ormiston Community Baptist Church and is nominated by Ormiston Community Baptist Church.
“My cross-disciplinary background and strategic thinking skills will be useful in bringing a unique perspective to the table”.
Get to know more about Santhosh here.
Carey Baptist College Board members halfway through their two-year term
Chris Beales-White, Adrienne Cleland, Clifford Thompson.
Baptist Women’s Board
The Baptist Women’s Board is passionate about seeing women grow in leadership skills and changing structures so that they have equal opportunities to serve in their calling on a local church and national level.
Roi Nu Maran
Roi Nu is a member of Windsor Park Baptist Church in Auckland and was nominated by Windsor Park Baptist Church.
“I have a strong passion to help and support women who come from different backgrounds and cultures, and I hope that my own experience will help them to see the big picture of God’s plan for lives”.
Get to know more about Roi Nu here.
Tanya Lameta
Tanya is a member of Hosanna Lighthouse Baptist Church in Auckland and was nominated by Hosanna Lighthouse Baptist Church.
“It is time for Pasifika women to see a representation of themselves in leadership spaces, where they can confidently trust that their voices are being spoken for with confidence and courage. I will bring this confidence and courage to the role”.
Get to know more about Tanya here.
Jane Cong Ye
Jane is a member of Oxford Terrace Baptist Church and was nominated by Carron Stevenson.
“I think the gifts and the experiences I have may bring something new to the team. I will bring the way God leading me of serving the body of Christ to role”.
Get to know more about Jane here.
Robyn Bloomfield
Robyn is a member of Avonhead Baptist Church in Christchurch and was nominated by Martin Sutherland.
“I think I would be good for this role because I have a passion to see women flourish, and because I could bring my varied experiences and my organisational skills to the role”.
Get to know more about Robyn here.
Jan Ozanne
Jan is a member of Otūmoetai Baptist Church and was nominated by Scott Muspratt.
“I am a great communicator, provider of resources, encourager, and a team player who is passionate about helping our Baptist women to thrive and be all that God has called them to be”.
Get to know more about Jan here.
Exisiting Baptist Women's Board members
Iunisi Katoa, Nicole Viljoen, Olwyn Dickson, Merita Lau Young, Andrea Page, Beulah Wood.
For more information about Baptist Women New Zealand click here.
Thank you to all these members of our New Zealand Baptist whānau serving in these roles. We appreciate you.
Cover photo: Susan Osborne with our former Baptist President, Ravi Musuku. Taken by Morgan Dews.
