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.
Allan Taylor
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
Former tech business entrepreneur Brian Smellie will be the Baptist Union’s president in 2026.
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
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us through prayer.
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
Susan shares encouragements found in her visits to Baptist churches in Auckland and Northland.
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
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…
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?
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
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…