Mark and Kirsty Johnson are moving to Takaka, where Mark will be Vicar of the Golden Bay parish.

This move ends a fruitful season of ministry at St Toms Newtown in the Parish of Wellington South.

In announcing the move, Mark describes how the invitation came from Bishop of Nelson, Steve Maina over two years ago. But until recently, the answer has always been ‘No’.

Mark recalled the ministry connection they have in Golden Bay.

“We first went to Takaka five years ago in 2019 after being invited to join a group of Jesus people at a new age festival. Some of our St Toms friends were on that first trip. Since then, we have travelled fifteen times and experience such hunger for Jesus among spiritual seekers in Golden Bay. The Wheels team from St Toms have been privileged to lead people to Jesus and baptize people committing their lives to Jesus. God has been so gracious, he says.   

“Upon returning in April, we felt God nudging us to a new season of ministry in Golden Bay,” he said.

At a recent vestry meeting, Mark described how the vestry declared confidence in sending Mark and whānau to the ministry God had clearly been leading them to.

“I’m so thankful for the people at St Tom’s. The last nine or so years have been so precious,” says Mark. 

“We have many dear friends that have shared life and journeyed deeply with us. St Tom’s is blessed with a wonderful community of Jesus loving people and I am convinced that Jesus is with St Tom’s and will take care of His church.”

The vicar role is a part-time appointment and provides opportunity follow up on the people that have encountered Jesus and been baptized over the last five years.

Mark and Kirsty and their boys Lukas and Micah will remain at St Tom’s until December. They expect to move to Golden Bay early in the new year.