Rowena and Terry Bradley represented New Zealand AOG churches at the movement's global conference in Madrid. Photo supplied
Te Kūiti Journey Church pastor Terry Bradley has been elected as the movement’s national superintendent.
Terry said this gave him the opportunity to provide a national vision, and pastoral support to about 230 churches, spread from Kaitaia to Invercargill, and comprising nearly 25,000 people.
“It’s a huge honour and I’m very fortunate that I do not do this task alone, but I will be supported by a team of extremely gifted individuals to help me to do the job,” he said.
“I don’t see it as a status thing, by any stretch. It’s just a role I have been given, like being chosen as the coach of a big sports team. It will be my job for a season to provide vision and leadership and when that season is done, I’ll just move on to whatever my next assignment from God is.”
Terry grew up on a farm just south of Piopio, attending school there before joining the New Zealand Army. He later became the grocery manager of the old Te Kūiti New World, before being ordained as a minister. For almost 23 years, he has been the senior pastor of Journey Church, supported by his wife of over 30 years, Rowena. His older three children, Anna, Joel, and Samuel all live in Te Kūiti with their spouses, Kevin, Deeana, and Bonnie, along with soon to be, 10 grandchildren. His youngest two, Micah and Mikaela work in Queenstown and Palmerston North respectively.
Several weeks ago, he and Rowena, represented this country’s AOG churches at the World Assemblies of God Fellowship global conference in Madrid, Spain. New Zealand churches are part of a much larger movement comprising 55 to 60 million people worldwide.
“Meeting and connecting with other national leaders from other parts of the world was truly inspirational.”
Does he think there is much future for the church in general, considering many seem to be struggling, having aged congregations and near empty halls. After all, in this country many church buildings have been sold, or are up for sale.
“Yes, we are not immune from these trends; they are common right across Western countries,” Terry said.
“This was highlighted by one of the speakers at the conference, the general superintendent from Germany. He acknowledged that as a movement we are thriving in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific. The church always does well in poorer parts of the world where, as Christians living there see it, they must rely on God just to survive.
“But Western countries by contrast, do not need faith in God to survive. When we’re short of money we go to the bank – Kiwis can try WINZ – or ask a family member for help. If we’re not well we can go to the doctor and if we’re feeling low, or needing company, we can go to our local, or find any number of activities and entertainments to give us a lift.
“In a sense, many in the West, and New Zealand is part of this, do not see the need for a relationship with Christ.
“This I believe is changing for us. People are seeking spirituality, and more specifically, to know the truth and reality of the person Jesus Christ.
“The reason I believe that is because, deep down, we all know there is more to life than what we now have. That there is an inner peace that is possible that has nothing to do with things, or how others see us. And that we exist to be loved unconditionally, and we’ve until now been looking in all the wrong places.”
And a final thought on his promotion to national superintendent:
“I am so excited to have been given this opportunity by our movement. I could never have anticipated such a journey given my colourful formative years in Piopio, I am just so thankful to God for his patience and grace toward me.”
