Concerning Gaza, Israel, the West Bank and East Jerusalem

Editorial and republication note by Communications Director, Mike Crudge, 14 August 2025

In response to feedback we have taken down the original Statement concerning Gaza, Israel, the West Bank and East Jerusalem (9 August 2025). We are replacing it with this edited version below (14 August 2025).

It became evident that a misunderstanding was possible in the connection between the names of the 20 people who offered the statement, and their elected or employed roles in the wider Baptist Union of New Zealand.

In my editorial role I personally thought the original statement was clear enough that it was not on behalf of the Baptist Union of New Zealand. Any Baptist national statement would need to rise up from the local churches and be agreed upon together at a Baptist National Hui – such as the Baptist statements on Women in Leadership, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, that have taken years to formulate.

I apologise to our Baptist churches and pastors who are now grappling with the overarching ramifications of the original statement because it was taken as a national statement.

This is not a Baptist Union of New Zealand statement, but one from 20 individual New Zealand Baptist Christians who have sought to share their concern about Gaza, Israel, the West Bank and East Jerusalem on our national Baptist communication platform: offering a call for peace, and encouraging fellow Baptists to do the same.

I believe the edited republication below clears the confusion, and maintains my vision for our national communication platform to be the ‘voice of the people’ - in this case, 20 of the people who are part of Baptist churches in New Zealand.

Those additional people who submitted their names on the original statement are included below. The opportunity to add your name, church or entity remains.

Mike Crudge, Communications Director, Baptist National Support Centre

Revised statement concerning Gaza, Israel, the West Bank and East Jerusalem – August 2025

This is not a statement from the Baptist Union of New Zealand, but from the 20 people listed below. At the end of this statement is an opportunity to have your name, church or entity added.

With thanks to the Baptist Union of Great Britain for permission to adapt their July 2025 statement and introduction by their Public Issues Enabler, Steve Tinning.[1]

Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

We the undersigned Baptists will no longer be silent about the suffering in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Israel, and the wider region. The scale and depth of human loss — the devastation in Gaza, alongside the trauma, fear and grief experienced by both Palestinians and Israelis — compel a response. Yet finding the right words is profoundly difficult. Any attempt to speak into this moment risks inadequacy: it is so hard to find words that honour the scale of suffering without unintentionally diminishing the pain of others.

For Christians in New Zealand who identify as Baptist, this challenge is made more complex by the way we understand and practise our faith and the way we organise our local churches that are in union together. At the heart of Baptist life is the principle that each gathered community (each local Baptist Church) has liberty, before God, in matters of discernment and witness. This conviction means Baptists across the country often hold a range of theological perspectives and responses to global events, often shaped by different lived experiences, readings of Scripture and levels of direct engagement with specific issues/regions. It also means that national statements, while offered with care and deep reflection, can rarely, if ever, claim to speak for every Baptist Christian or every local Baptist Church. This diversity of conviction can make shared responses more cautious, and usually for contemporary New Zealand Baptists, absent — we wait for local Baptist Churches to issue their own statements that eventually together may form national statements. On this particular issue and at this time, this has not happened. However, as individuals in local Baptist churches, we work towards this, and share this statement to encourage others.

The scale of injustice and the devastating levels of suffering unfolding in Gaza and the wider region demand that the church not remain silent. It is this profound crisis that has compelled us to offer this statement — not only to our 240 Baptist Churches, but also to the New Zealand Government and wider society. We do so with humility, and now also with urgency, believing that the gospel calls us to stand alongside those who suffer, to name injustice where we see it, and to seek just peace grounded in truth and compassion.

Statement concerning Gaza, Israel, the West Bank and East Jerusalem

In July 2025, several groups from the Baptist Union of Great Britain produced a “Joint Statement Concerning Gaza, Israel, The West Bank and East Jerusalem.”[2]  We have adapted their Statement slightly for the New Zealand context in what follows.

We affirm:

There are times when the church is called to speak – to name suffering, to call out injustice, and to affirm the value and dignity of all people. Today, we add our voice to those speaking out, seeking to name the injustices plainly evident in Gaza, Israel and the Palestinian Territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

We recognise that these injustices did not begin on 7 October 2023 but are part of a much longer history of fear, trauma and violence across the region. We commit ourselves to ongoing listening to those most impacted, acknowledging diverse experiences and perspectives. We recognise the complexity and endeavour to speak carefully and seek to act for peace and justice in the way all those who follow Jesus must.

We recognise the “clear distinction between the Jewish people, our siblings in faith, and the acts of the Government of Israel,” and stand against “any kind of racism, including antisemitism, anti-Arab racism, and islamophobia.” [3] We unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023 and the resultant killing, maiming and kidnapping of innocent civilians. We are deeply troubled by the stories of the released hostages, including their ordeals of facing threats and beatings, and living with little food in appalling conditions. The perpetrators of all these crimes must be held accountable. Our tears, our thoughts and our prayers remain with the friends and families of the 1200 people killed in the 7 October attack, with those who now know their kidnapped friends and relatives to have died or been killed, and with those who live in hope they may yet be reunited with their loved ones.

While we acknowledge the trauma of the 7 October attack, the subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza has exponentially escalated civilian suffering. Reports of indiscriminate bombing, murder, sexual violence, torture, forcible transfer, the deliberate blockade of food, water, medical aid, and fuel, the targeting of civilian infrastructure including hospitals, churches, clinics and schools, and the intentional killing of medical professionals and journalists, signify a catastrophe beyond comprehension. We are also profoundly alarmed by the Israeli Government’s increasing tactics of property destruction, forced displacement, and the development of further settlements, widely considered illegal under international law, in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

We are compelled, therefore, to call on the New Zealand Government to help bring about an immediate end to these atrocities. Specifically, we call for:

• An immediate and permanent bilateral ceasefire in Gaza.
• The release of all hostages.
• Unconditional access for humanitarian aid to enter the whole of Gaza, including immediate access to water, food, medicine and electricity.
• The affirmation of the rights of both Palestinians and Israelis to exist and to live in peace and security, recognising this as a foundational principle of international law and a prerequisite for any lasting peace.
• An end to the development of illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories.
• The acknowledgment of the reality of apartheid and unimpeded access and support for international accountability mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other appropriate humanitarian and legal institutions, to conduct truly independent investigations into all war crimes and crimes against humanity, to ensure accountability.
• Support for the resilience and witness of Christian Churches and communities in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and Israel, upholding their right to remain on their land and to practice their faith freely.
• The use of all diplomatic channels to establish a just peace and a hopeful and secure future for all in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

We (the 20 individuals sharing this statement) also call on our Baptist Churches in New Zealand to:

• Listen to the cries of those impacted by this situation, choosing to open our eyes and ears to all who suffer (Ecclesiastes 4:1, Proverbs 21:13).
• Stand fervently against antisemitism and islamophobia. Repenting where these sins have infiltrated our own lives, while acting to bridge divisions and work towards peace, understanding, compassion and reconciliation across wider society (Romans 12:18).
• Persistently pray for peace (Matthew 5:9, 1 Timothy 2:1–2).
• Write to our MPs, advocating for the rights of the oppressed (Proverbs 31:8–9)
• Offer practical support, however we are able (Micah 6:8, Matthew 25:40, 45).

Finally, we commit to deepen our understanding of the challenges faced by Israelis and the Palestinian people; to continue to listen, pray, speak and act for justice; to partner alongside trusted friends within and beyond our extended Baptist family; to amplify our voice in the public square and to welcome accountability for our own actions and inactions.

Rod Robson 

Charles Hewlett 

Rachel Murray 

Chris Chamberlain 

Mike Warring 

Reti Ah-Voa 

Ruby Duncan 

Alan Jamieson 

Grant Harris 

Paul Jones 

Allan Taylor 

Brian Smellie 

Ethan Miller 

Jan Ozanne 

Tanya Lameta 

Wayne Schache 

Karen Warner 

Luke Kaa-Morgan 

Christine Stride

Mike Crudge 

Add your name, church or entity to the statement

For anyone part of a New Zealand Baptist church, click here to fill out a form and we will add your name.

If your New Zealand Baptist church or Baptist organisation or entity would like to be listed under this statement, please email [email protected]  

If you would like to comment, you are welcome to write a ‘letter to the editor’…

The following people have added their names to this statement. This list was updated on Thursday 18 December 2025 at 12pm and will be revised periodically.

Churches and entities

Musselburgh Baptist Church

Ilam Baptist Church Governance Team, Christchurch

Deacons of Ponsonby Baptist Church, Auckland

Baptist Women New Zealand Board

Elders of New Generation Church, Christchurch

DELTA Trustees, DELTA Community Support Trust, Christchurch

Individuals

Andrew Meek, Pastor, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Heather MacLeod, Support Services Manager, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Bradley Nicolson , Chief Executive, Baptist Resources Limited 

Geraldine Crudge, Member, Royal Oak Baptist Church 

Lachlan Bull, Pastor, Greymouth Baptist Church 

Graeme Pollock, Elder, New Generation Church 

Gill Stewart, Volunteer & Member, Village Baptist Church

Jacqui Fisher, Student Pastor, Masterton Baptist Church

Nicola Griffiths, Contextual Education Lead, Carey Baptist College

Reynaldo Jr Jumig, Member, Volunteer, Windsor Park Baptist Church 

Graeme & Heather Joyes, Member, Paraparaumu Baptist Church

Joshua Diack, Member, Youth group leader, Manurewa Baptist Church

Daniel Cuttriss, Associate Pastor, Manurewa Baptist Church 

Philip Church, Member, Royal Oak Baptist Church 

Christine Grubba, Volunteer, Motueka

Christine Saywell, Eastgate

Barbara Perry, Member, Volunteer, Whakatane

Janine van Dam, Ilam Baptist Church

Hannah Cossey, Young Adults Coach, Upper South Baptist Association

Helen Brereton, Specialist Transition Pastor, NZBU

Nigel Brereton, Member, Lifepoint

Ruth Langford, Ilam Baptist Church

Neil Perry, Member, former Pastor, Whakatane Baptist Church

Markus Schonberger, Pastor, Putaruru Baptist Church

Brooke Friend, Member, Golden Sands Baptist Church

Francis Dennis, Member, Ponsonby Baptist Church

George Wieland, Golden Sands Baptist Church

Chris Berry

Bodie Friend, Member, The Render Gathering

Emma Diack, Youth Leader (Intermediates), Manurewa Baptist Church

Paul Thompson, Retired NZBMS Missionary/staff, Wellington Central Baptist Church

Diane Banbury, Member, Te Puke Baptist Church

Daniel Nicolson, Youth Leader, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church 

Shona Murray, Musician, Tawa Baptist Church

Kate Richards, Member, Titirangi Baptist Church

Sara Cornish, Youth Worker, Ilam Baptist Church

Caleb Nicolson, Youth Pastor, Kaiapoi Baptist Church

Steven Goulstone, Pastor, Wellington South Baptist Church

Sarah Woodfield , Treasurer, Member, Cityside Baptist Church 

Stephanie Christensen , With Baps in Lebanon 20 yrs, Bethlehem Baptist Church

Jennifer Bedford, Member, Hillsborough Baptist Church

Zoe Cromwell, member, Wellington Central Baptist Church

Tracey Brough, , BBC Tauranga

Paul Windsor , Member and Mission Partner, Mt Roskill Baptist Church

Joanna Smith , Serving overseas, Ilam Baptist Church

Shona Murray, Musician, Tawa Baptist Baptist Church

Kelly Enright, A member from afar! , Arotahi 

Heather Ameye-Bevers, Associate Pastor, Windsor Park Baptist Church

Sophie Bond, South West Baptist Church

Joanne Robertson, Member, South West Baptist Church

Rachelle Martin, BUNZ National Council Member, Ilam Baptist Church

Matthew Barus , Member, South West Baptist Church 

Shirley Crump, Member, Beachlands Baptist Church

Ryan Bond , Volunteer , South West Baptist Church 

Christa McKirland, Dean of Faculty, Carey Baptist College

Darcy Haliday, Member, Henderson Baptist Church

Nathan Davidson , Youth Group Leader , Hillsborough Baptist Church 

Lyn Campbell , Member , Motueka Baptist Church

Tim Perry, Elder, South West Baptist Church 

Andrew Reyngoud, Pastor, Flaxmere Baptist Church

Rachael Green, Member, Southwest Baptist Church

Ken Keyte, Senior Pastir, Cambridge Baptist Church

Ken Morris, Elder, Te Awamutu Baptist Church

Kate Dunstan-Brown, Youth and Young Adults Pastor, Wellington Central Baptist Church

Troy Renata-Paul, Volunteer, Manukau City Baptist Church

Andie Davies, Co Pastor, Kumeū Baptist Church

Gareth Davies, Co-pastor, Kumeū Baptist Church 

Brenda-Joy Newman, Member plus volunteer , Bethlehem Baptist Church

Judy Layzell , Partner, Glen Eden 

Colin and Fiona Dougherty, BBC

Elliot Rice, Pastor and Lower North Island Baptist Association Chair, Wellington Central Baptist Church

Heather Hill, , Hills Church

Debbie Spackman, Pastor, Te Atatū Baptist Church

Deborah Lewthwaite, , Wellington Central Baptist Church

Patty Carlson, Missionary, Bethlehem Baptist Tauranga

Tony Pahl, Bethlehem Baptist Church

Sarah Woods, Member, Volunteer, Manukau City Baptist Church 

Andrew Sangster, Pastor, New Plymouth West Baptist Church

Beccy Haylock, Member, South West Baptist Church

Ruth Sharr , Member , Ilam Baptist Church

Raewyn Keyte, Member , Cambridge Baptist Church

Alan Vink, Interim Pastor, Te Whanau Putahi

Jo Appleby, Member, Titirangi Baptist Church

Tim Hart, Pastor, Māngere Bridge Baptist Church

Lindsay Blakie , Member, Ilam Baptist Church

Chloe Vos, Member & Youth Group Leader , Royal Oak Baptist Church

Quentin Nicolson, Children's Volunteer Worker, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Mikayla Reid, High School Coordinator , Windsor Park Baptist Church

Blair Donkin, Past Elder for many years., Dunedin City Baptist Church 

Wendy Joyes, Member, Epuni Baptist Church

Dylan Tempero, Chaplain, Delta Community Support Trust

Jody Payne , Operations Manager, Alexandra Baptist Church

Daniel Gibbs, Member, North Porirua Baptist Church

Kylie Jones, Prayer Team Leader, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Matt Sharr, Member, Ilam Baptist Church

Andrew Bollen, Pastor, Paraparaumu Baptist Church

Debbie Krzyzewski, Member, Manurewa Baptist Church 

Shirley Bullen, Member, Royal Oak Baptist Church

Raewyn Moodie, Elder, Kumeū Baptist Church

Amanda Robinson , Elder, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Colin Gruetzmacher, Lead Pastor, Golden Sands Baptist Church

Debbie Molloy, Member, Hutt City Baptist Church

Adrienne Thompson , Church member, Wellington Central Baptist Church

Ruth Hart, Bethlehem Baptist Church

Sarah Beisly , Board Member, Baptist National Council

Helen Sturgeon, Pastor, Ilam Baptist Church 

Andrew Robinson, Member from afar, Henderson

Rachael McGuigan , Member, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Carron Stevenson, Member, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church 

Deborah Bowden, Volunteer group leader, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Hazel Dunn ,Member, Royal Oak Baptist Church

Jan Blackford, Member, Bethlehem Baptist Church

Michael J. Rhodes, Lecturer in Old Testament, Carey Baptist College

Steve Tollestrup, Member-past Director TEARFund, CitySide Baptist Church

Frances Lane Brooker, Elder, Karori Baptist Church

Sue Perry, Member, Wellington Central Baptist Church

Anna Schroeder, Member , Royal Oak Baptist Church 

Michael Down , Member, South West Baptist Church 

Ian McInnes, Chair of Governance Elders, Auckland Baptist Tabernacle

Michael Martin, Member, Ilam Baptist Church

Sasha McPherson, Member, Ministry Leader, Northcote Baptist Church

Clayton Riddle, Lead Pastor, Northpoint Baptist Church

Lauren Yannakis, Arotahi

Catharina Siraa, Member, Royal Oak Baptist Church

Liz Gately-Taylor, Member, Wellington Central Baptist Church

Grace Chamberlain, Pastor, Hillcrest Baptist Church

Lizzie Carter, Global Worker, Arotahi

Danielle Galway, Member, South West Baptist Church

Ruth Bucknell, Member, Palmerston North Central Baptist Church

Katie Perry, Member, South West Baptist Church

Holly Walton, Associate Pastor, Windsor Park Baptist Church

Hayden Allen, Pastor, Upper Hutt Baptist Church

Grace Le Heux, Arotahi/Ilam Baptist Church

Jo Hood, Member, Hills Church

Johnny Lineham, Member, South West Baptist Church

Declan Smith

Nigel Webb, Pastor, Palmerston North Central Baptist Church (CB)

rafe Persson, member, Ilam Baptist Church

Leanne Millichamp, Member, South West Baptist Church

Lorna Macann , Board member , Ōtaki Baptist Church

Janet Vaughan, Member, Royal Oak Baptist Church 

Jason Millichamp, Member, South West Baptist Church

John Hayes, Home Group leader, Bethlehem Baptist Church

Robyn Jamieson, Member, Hillcrest Baptist Church

Graeme Jamieson, , Hillcrest Baptist Church

Alicia Scroggins, Housing Team Leader , Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

MARGIE DENNIS , Member, Palmerston North Central Baptist Church

Timothy Hill, , Hillsborough Baptist Church

Joel Carter, Member , Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Paul Yeoman, Member, St Albans Baptist Church Chch 

Age & Ally Palmer, Members, South West Baptist Church

Janet Hull, Elder, South West Baptist Church

Brooke Chamberlain, Children’s Ministry Leader, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Cathy Downey Parish, Former Cambridge Baptist Church

Sacha Olson, Lead Pastor, Henderson Baptist Church

Josh Molloy, Member & volunteer, Petone Baptist Church & Ilam Baptist Church

Paul & Lois Martell, Petone Baptist Church.

Lois Irving, Remote member of Ilam Baptist Church

Jennifer Boshier, Elder, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Carlyle Irving, Remote member of Ilam Baptist Church

Joanne Robinson, Interim leadership team, Stratford Baptist Church

Fiona Martin, Member, Stratford Baptist Church

Andrew Baldwin, Pastor, Petone Baptist Church

Paul Martell, Retired Elder, Petone Baptist Church

Karen Hodgson, Member, Petone Baptist Church

Cathy Martin, , Petone Baptist Church

Karen Molloy, Member, Petone-one Baptist Church

Stickney Kunanayagam, Petone Baptist Church 

Julian Doorey, Community justice volunteer, Caversham Baptist Church

Claire Doorey, Creative service coordinator, Caversham Baptist Church

Sam Kilpatrick, Elder, Youth Ministry Leader, Royal Oak Baptist Church

Mark Godfrey, Member, Petone Baptist Church

Josiah Carr, Senior Pastor, Te Puke Baptist Church

Laura Kilpatrick, Volunteer, Royal Oak Baptist Church

Sharon Cook, Member, Caversham Baptist Church 

Jocelyn Smith, Member, Pito One (Petone) Baptist Church

Susan Osborne, Volunteer , Trinity Baptist Church

Lynley Capon, Member Volunteer , South West Baptist Church

Eden Rohr, Albany Baptist Church

Janee and Zac Le Heux, Member , Southwest Baptist Church 

Christine Strother, Member, Kumeū Baptist Church

Gavin Jensen, Ponsonby Baptist Church

Annie Snook, Member, Manukau City Baptist Church

Murray Gordon, Pastor, Caversham Baptist Church 

Paul Briggs, Assistant Pastor, Caversham Baptist Church

Heather Elizabeth James , Member, Caversham Baptist Church Dunedin

Helen Parry, Caversham Baptist Church

Judith Smith, Member, Caversham Baptist Church Dunedin

Anna Bergin, Governance Team, Ilam Baptist Church

Anna Stevenson, Governance Team, Ilam Baptist Church

Fern Durham, Governance Team, Ilam Baptist Church

Jonathan Clease, Governance Team, Ilam Baptist Church

Luuk Paulussen, Governance Team, Ilam Baptist Church

Murray Wood, Governance Team, Ilam Baptist Church

Sean Pawson, Senior Pastor, Ilam Baptist Church

Samuel Young, Gatherings Pastor, South West Baptist Church

Chriselle Lees-Thomas, Associate Pastor , Village Baptist Church

Roly Scott, Retried minister, Caversham Baptist Church

Jasmine Glentworth, Arotahi

Michelle Ritchie, Arotahi

Robbo Robertson, Tech Support, South West Baptist Church

Alan Mawhinney, Elder, Caversham Baptist Church, Dunedin

Ray James, Member, Caversham Baptist Church

Fiona Duigan-McKay, Member, Cavy Baptist Church

Rachel Judge, Member, Caversham Baptist Church, Dunedin 

Ann Borquist, Central Baptist Church

Jenny Flack, member, Caversham Baptist church 

Keith Ingram, Regular attender, Caversham Baptist Church

Debbie Gough, Member, Petone Baptist Church

Mike Sturgeon, Member, Ilam Baptist Church

Luke Nilsen, Member, Ilam Baptist Church

Lisa McPherson, member, Petone Baptist Church

Penny Cliffin, Deacon, Ponsonby Baptist Church

Clarisse Niemand, Deacon and member, Ponsonby Baptist Church

Bill Alexander, Deacon, Ponsonby Baptist Church

Kirsten Malcolm, Deacon, Ponsonby Baptist Church

Meryn Gates, Member, Wellington Central Baptist Church

Marj and Murray Robertson, South West Baptist Church

John Robertson, South West Baptist Church

Adam Hutchinson, Co Lead Pastor, Papanui Baptist Church

Tony Kissell, Elder, Oamaru Baptist Church 

Randal Scott, Member, Caversham Baptist Church

Ken, Member, worship leader, Papanui Baptist Church

Paul Cossey, Pastor, Motueka Baptist Church 

Amelia Smith, Generations Pastor, South West Baptist Church

Jodi Czepanski, Arotahi

Ross Woodhouse, Senior Pastor, Fairfield Baptist Church

Mike Hamilton-Jenkins, Elder, Karori Baptist Church

Keith Harrington, Lead Pastor , Invercargill Central Baptist Church

Jonathan Edmeades, Pastor, Whakatāne Baptist Church

Peter Foster, Volunteer, member, Whakatane Baptist Church

Faye Parfitt, Member, South West Baptist Church

Alan Milne, Member, Long Bay Baptist Church

Carol & Richard Guise, Volunteers, Members , Papanui Baptist church

Timothy Lālahi, Member, Southwest Baptist Church

Melanie Nilsen, Member, Ilam Baptist Church

Katie Cuttriss, Associate and Youth Pastor, Manurewa Baptist Church

Jude Crump, Member, Central Baptist Church Invercargill 

Peter Capon, Volunteer, et cetera, South West Baptist Church

Philip and Margaret McFedries, Member, Papanui Baptist Church

Barry & Eunice McKessar, South West Baptist Church

Gavin Brown, Member, volunteer , Long Bay Baptist Church

Cathy Duncan, Member, Long Bay Baptist Church

Gordon Duncan, Member, Long Bay Baptist Church

Jessie Field-Dodgson, Petone Baptist Church

Lee-Ann Boyne, Member, South West Baptist Church 

Tina Grubba, Volunteer, Motueka

Kere Bennett , Member, Hutt City Baptist Church

Bronwyn Pollock, Member, New Generation Church

Catherine Korte, Elder, Hutt City Baptist Church

Andrew Bardsley, Hutt City Baptist Church 

Cait de Haan, Member, Hutt City Baptist Church

Lyndon Twemlow, Pastor, Thames Baptist Church

Andrew Bennett, Chair of Elders, Hutt City Baptist Church

John Tucker, Member, Windsor Park Baptist Church

Malcolm McKellar, Boundary dog, Ilam Baptist Church

Melissa Wilson , Senior Pastor , Beachlands Baptist Church 

Joyanne Lovatt, Member, Mt Albert Baptist Church

Deanne Rogers, Member, Kerikeri Baptist Church

Shona Morris, Pito one Baptist (Petone)

Flora Muriel Nogoy, Member, Wgtn Central Baptist Church

Lois Austin, Whakatane 

Colin Wood

Elizabeth Brookbanks, Elder, Windsor Park Baptist Church

Wayne McKenzie, Volunteer Member, Mt Roskill Baptist Church

Cheryl Wigmore, member, Fairfield Baptist Church

Mira wan, Church goer , Kumeu Baptist Church

Skip Parker, Board Chair , Glenfield Baptist Church

Stephen Fail, Pastor, Palmerston North Central Baptist Church

Helen Dallaston, Chair of Community Leaders, Cityside Baptist Church

Susan Kingsley, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church 

Elena Hughes, Members and volunteer, Bethlehem Baptist Church 

Ben Hughrs, Bethlehem Baptist Church

Claire Ticehurst , Member, Royal Oak Baptist Church

Lynette Maslin, Member, Papanui Baptist Church

Malcolm Johnston, Papanui Baptist Church

Stuart Maslin, Member, Papanui Baptist Church

Carol Guise, Volunteer, Papanui Baptist Church 

Merrilyn Withers, Youth group leader, Hutt City Baptist Church

Ruth Major, Member, South West Baptist Church

Shona Smellie, Member, Riccarton Baptist church 

Anita Gray, Life Group leader, Windsor Park Baptist Church

Maurice Gray, Windsor Park Baptist Church

Ainslie McDowall, South West Baptist Church

Helen Lewthwaite, Elder, South West Baptist Church

Joan and Tony Salisbury, Members, Manurewa Baptist Church

Philip Sapsford, Member, Papanui Baptist Church

Chris Naylor, Global Partners Leader, Long Bay Baptist Church

Candice Hume, Administrator, Central Baptist Church Invercargill

David Baines, Elder, Chair of USBA, Parklands Baptist Church

Gerhard Uys, Member, Invercargill

Peter Boon, Member, Invercargill Central Baptist Church

Angela Williams, Member, Hutt City Baptist Church

Duncan Hume, Partner, Central Baptist Invercargill

Robert Dabb, Overseer, Hokowhitu Baptist Church

Uiga Bashford , Member , Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Melanie Patterson, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Kayleigh Patterson, Member, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Alison Downs, Administrator , New Plymouth West Baptist Church

Derrick Hills, Invercargill Central Baptist Church

Isabel Stanley, Board member, musician, Parklands Baptist church 

Linda Barnes, member, Invercargill Baptist Church

Christine Thomson, Congregation, Wellington Central Baptist Church 

Julia Mckerrow, South West Baptist Church 

Murray and Cathie Black, members, Blockhouse Bay Baptist Church

Wendy Taylor, Elder, Parklands Baptist Church

Colin Durville, West Baptist Church New Plymouth

Daniel Webby, Central Baptist, Palmerston North

Daphne Marsden, Trust Manager, Southwest Baptist Church

Kaitlin Herron, Member, Palmerston North Central Baptist Church

Stu McGregor, Cityside Church Council, Cityside Baptist Church

Jonathan Robinson, Carey Baptist College

Glenys Knopp, member, Darfield Baptist Church

Jenny van Woerden, member, Waihi Baptist Church

John van Woerden, member, Waihi Baptist Church

Christine Brown, Member, Royal Oak Baptist Church

Anthony Patterson, Elder, Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

Karen Haines, Curator, Cityside Baptist Church

Leanna Dodge, St Albans Baptist Church

Thea Jacobs, Elder, Wellington South Baptist Church

Sharon Dickson-Yeoman, Member, Volunteer, St Albans Baptist Church

Liz Schutte, Member, St Albans Baptist Church

Jerry Schutte, St Albans Baptist Church

Christine Thomson, Member, Wellington Central Baptist Church

John McClure, Member, Wellington Central Baptist Church

Angela Muir, Volunteer, Wellington Central Baptist Church

Alice Collins, Member, Wellington Central Baptist Church

End Notes

1. See the Baptist Union of Great Britan Statement Concerning Gaza, Israel, The West Bank and East Jerusalem – July 2025 And, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

2. See End Note 1. Philip Church, a New Zealand Baptist Biblical Scholar and Senior Research Fellow at Laidlaw Collegehas worked on this to lightly abbreviate it and tailor it to apply specifically to Baptist Churches in New Zealand.

3. These are quotes from a statement from the World Council of Churches. They can be accessed here: Statement on Palestine and Israel: A Call to End Apartheid, Occupation, and Impunity in Palestine and Israel – June 2025.

Photo credit: Flags of Israel and Palestine on broken cracked wall, by baona Original in colour.