Rod Robson is Chair of our National Council, and Pastor at Opawa Baptist Church in Christchurch.
Hi Peeps,
Every year at our National Hui in November, we elect people to the boards that serve our whole Baptist family — National Council, the Carey Baptist College Board, the Arotahi Board, and the Baptist Women’s Board. These are the tables around which our shared life and mission get shaped, and they work best when the people around them come from right across our movement: different churches, different backgrounds, different skills.
So on behalf of all four boards, here are some things to chew on and pray about ahead of the elections at National Hui. As you read, you might spot yourself in one of these descriptions. Or you might spot someone who sits three rows in front of you on a Sunday that might lead to a conversation with that person.
Vice President
We haven't yet received any nominations for Vice President, and there's no one currently serving in that role who can step into the presidency at Hui. So National Council will bring its own nomination for President — you'll find the details in the pack that comes out before Hui.
Arotahi (NZBMS)
Arotahi, our overseas mission agency, is keen to co-opt one or two people to their board — specifically:
- someone with a financial background, to sit on their finance and risk sub-committee
- someone with governance experience, to help shape strategy and vision as they transition General Director leadership.
If either of those sounds like you — or like it could be you — Arotahi would genuinely love to hear from you. Send an expression of interest to Debbie Cunningham, Chair of Mission Council, at [email protected] in the first instance. No obligation; a conversation is a great place to start.
Carey Baptist College
Carey, where among others, our pastors and leaders are trained and formed, is looking for someone with good financial skills, especially anyone who knows the education sector. This could work as either a nomination or a co-option. Christine Beales-White, Chair of the Carey Board, would be very happy to have a chat: [email protected]
National Council
After a long season of faithful service, Pastor Das Premadas of Otahuhu Baptist Church is stepping down from National Council. We're deeply grateful for the years Das has given us — sustained service like his is a real gift to our movement, and it makes such a difference to the quality of our shared decision-making around the governance table.
His departure leaves a gap we'd love to fill well. It would strengthen our decision-making to have another governance voice at the council table from someone who is a first-generation Kiwi, or who is well networked in that part of our movement. If someone comes to mind — including yourself! — please get in touch with me directly: [email protected]
The following current council members are being nominated again, and I thought it might help to briefly share the roles they've played and what they bring:
Rachelle Martin (Ilam Baptist Church) — has led us in pastoral ethics development and management, our response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, and our relationship with Carey Baptist College. She brings extensive experience in the disability sector as both a practitioner and an academic.
Greg Motu (Hosanna Dannevirke Baptist Church) — has facilitated council's relationship with Te Whāriki, alongside co-pastoring Hosanna Dannevirke.
Ravanetta Sititi (Hosanna Lighthouse Baptist Church) — is making a good fist of her first governance and senior leadership role, bringing a lived understanding of the Pacifica end of our movement. She works in the criminal justice system.
Sarah Beisly (Paeroa Baptist Church) — brings real nous from her background in business, overseas mission, and Human Resources. She is currently a full-time post-grad student at Carey Baptist College.
Baptist Women’s Board
The Women's Board exists to see women grow in leadership — and to keep working on our structures so that women have genuinely equal opportunities to serve in their calling, both in the local church and nationally. This isn't a women-only invitation. We're looking for women and men who share that passion.
To keep good geographic spread around the board table, we're especially seeking nominations for two members from the Waikato or Bay of Plenty and Eastland regions, two from the Lower North Island, and one from Otago and Southland. But don't let geography hold you back — all nominations will be gladly received.
If you have any questions, Tanya Lameta, Chair of the Women's Board, would love to hear from you: [email protected]
Nominations are open now
You'll find the details of the nomination process and the available spaces — along with a link to the online nomination form — at hui.baptist.nz
Here's my ask: please prayerfully and intelligently consider who in your local church has the skills, the willingness, and the capacity to serve our wider Baptist family in this way. Sometimes the person best suited to a role like this would never put their own hand up — a word of encouragement from you might be exactly the nudge they need.
All nomination forms need to be submitted by 5pm, Thursday 10 September 2026.
Cheers, Rod
Photo credit: Emma Diack
