The President of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand is formally an Officer of the Baptist Union and takes on the voluntary role for a year after spending a year as the Vice-President.

The President presides over all business sessions of the annual Assembly, and takes on various roles during the year according to the skills and experience they bring to the role. Submission of possible candidates for the office of Vice-President are made by local churches to Assembly Council who make the formal nominations to Assembly for election. On this page you will find articles and other content created by the President.

Our current President

Allan Taylor was elected President at the Baptist National Hui in November 2024.

Allan served in full-time Baptist pastoral ministry for 44 years, seven as assistant pastor at Te Atatu Baptist and 37 as senior pastor at Eastgate Christan Centre. He retired in October 2023. Allan is married to Lynette, and they have three married children and eight grandchildren.

“One of my primary motivations in accepting the role of president was the opportunities it offers to connect with pastors, listen to their stories and encourage them in their ministry.

…Having started as a pastor at Eastgate when it was still a fledgling fellowship with no permanent facilities of its own will hopefully enable me to identify with pastors of new or smaller churches and those who are just starting out in pastoral ministry.

For pastors who feel isolated or on the fringe of our movement, I would like to help them feel more connected and valued members of our Baptist family of churches.

Prayer has always been an important part of my ministry journey, so I have chosen it as my theme for this year. I am keen to engage with pastors’ clusters and look at ways to mobilise a church in prayer — one of the most fruitful things I believe a pastor can do.”

Read more about our President in the article:

Introducing Allan Taylor, 2025 President of the Baptist Union

Latest from the President

Baptist Union votes in new vice president Image
News
April 15, 2025 | Christine Stride Channel: 2144749

Baptist Union votes in new vice president

Former tech business entrepreneur Brian Smellie will be the Baptist Union’s president in 2026.

About our 2025 Vice President nominee Image
News
March 25, 2025 | Catharina Siraa Channel: 2144749

About our 2025 Vice President nominee

Learn more about Brian Smellie, how he was nominated for Vice President, and the process for voting.

Accessing God’s power through corporate prayer Image
Articles
January 29, 2025 | Allan Taylor Channel: 2144749

Accessing God’s power through corporate prayer

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us through prayer.

Introducing Allan Taylor, 2025 President of the Baptist Union Image
News
December 20, 2024 | Allan Taylor Channel: 2144749

Introducing Allan Taylor, 2025 President of the Baptist Union

Allan Taylor will focus on pastors and prayer in his term as President of the Baptist Union.

From the President: August in Auckland and Northland Image
Stories
September 9, 2024 | Susan Osborne Channel: 2144749

From the President: August in Auckland and Northland

Susan shares encouragements found in her visits to Baptist churches in Auckland and Northland.

From the President: Being Baptist – better together Image
Articles
August 27, 2024 | Susan Osborne Channel: 2144749

From the President: Being Baptist – better together

Susan’s highlights from the five regional hui this year.

From the President: The stories of our ethnic congregations Image
Articles
July 23, 2024 | Susan Osborne Channel: 2144749

From the President: The stories of our ethnic congregations

A reflection on the questions, challenges, and approaches our Baptist family of different cultures have and the need to learn from them.

From the President: On the road again… Image
Articles
June 19, 2024 | Susan Osborne Channel: 2144749

From the President: On the road again…

This song by Willie Nelson is easily the theme for our President’s June update. Susan shares the gold from her roadie down south.

From the President: How has our understanding of God changed? Image
Articles
May 16, 2024 | Susan Osborne Channel: 2144749

From the President: How has our understanding of God changed?

This is a significant question to ask yourself regularly. What am I learning about God in my present context?

From the President: Madness in March Image
Articles
March 28, 2024 | Susan Osborne Channel: 2144749

From the President: Madness in March

Having decided to visit as many churches and leaders as possible, our Baptist President has had a packed month. She reflects on her time with…