Many in our diocese will remember Jethro Day from his years as priest in charge at St Augustine’s, Petone, and from the Motorcycle Collective he led in Wellington.
These days he lives in Rolleston, outside Christchurch, with his wife Jessie and their five boys, and leads the Anglican mission movement formerly known as Church Army New Zealand. Its new name is Salt & Light Collective.
“2026 has been a year of transitions for me, Jessie and the five boys,” Jethro says. He has been National Director for more than a year, but only full-time since April. The move south brought “a comfortable home and sleepy suburb life,” he says, and with it more room for mission.
That mission looks different from parish life in Petone. Jethro has joined a team that goes to full-moon drum circles in the South Island, handing out cacao, dancing, and getting to know people in the New Age community. Those friendships have grown into monthly dance parties and contemplative prayer sessions, held with and for that community.
“It is fun and exciting, and I’m continuing to learn a lot,” he says.
The Motorcycle Collective in Wellington carries on under its volunteer team.
Jethro’s own story fits the history of the movement he now leads. Church Army began in the UK in the late 19th century, going into the new industrial cities where millions lived beyond the reach of the churches. Its workers preached, served their neighbours, and trained local leaders to carry on the mahi. When the movement came to Aotearoa in the early 20th century, the same kaupapa took a local shape: caravans travelled to isolated rural work camps to run children’s and youth programmes, hand out food and clothing, and hold worship services where no other church was ministering.
Jethro says the new name was chosen “after much deliberating” to hold on to that heritage while moving the vision forward for a changing church. Salt & Light now describes itself as a mission agency that sends people to the edges of Aotearoa New Zealand instead of overseas. It aims to work alongside parishes, mission units and other organisations, encouraging and resourcing people who are reaching communities that have never heard about Jesus.
For now, that means finding the people already doing it. Jethro is looking for Jesus followers with a deep faith, a track record of making missional things happen, and a commitment to their local Anglican church.
“We want to know what God has been doing in their lives, and how Salt & Light might be able to partner with them and God to see His Kingdom grow,” he says.
In the longer term the collective hopes to offer a formation track for mission practitioners, with online resources, courses, events and internships, along with training, pastoral care and peer support.
Jethro asks for prayer as Salt & Light discerns its next steps. If you, or someone in your parish, is already reaching people beyond the church doors, visit www.saltandlightcollective.org.nz.
