Baptist People

Baptist World Alliance Chief Executive Elijah Brown shares stories of Baptists living out kingdom courage and compassion in places of war, persecution and extreme hunger.

Military chaplain Bill Dewar came reluctantly to faith but has obeyed God's call on his life ever since. In this episode, he talks about why Christians would take up arms, the role of military chaplains today, and what happened when he rode shotgun with an American colonel in Afghanistan.

After 45 busy years with the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society (Arotahi), Susan Osborne thought she'd take things easy. But God had other ideas...In this episode, Susan shares the stories of gospel renewal she encountered while clocking up 30,000km visiting Baptist churches around the motu. Susan has now finished her term as the Baptist President.

Oxford Baptist Church pastor Greg Morris talks about how our extraordinary God uses ordinary people (like him) to fulfil His mission.

Alex Penk is the CEO of Ethos Alliance and a member of Titirangi Baptist Church. Alex reflects on his work as a human rights advocate and the effect of legal training on his faith.

Christine interviews professional viola player and violin teacher Fiona Haughton, a member of Titirangi Baptist Church. Fiona talks about music as a form of worship and the fascinating ways it connects and moves us. 

Jo Hood founded the 'mainly Music' ministry in the 1990s, a volunteer-led programme for babies, young children and their caregivers. It's grown into 'mainly Ministries', now a global entity that reaches communities far and wide. In this podcast, Jo talks to Christine Stride about the challenges and highlights of her career, why the concept of mainly Music is so enduring, and her faith journey.

In this episode, we hear from Emma Wells, youth pastor at Whakatāne Baptist Church. She shares why she and her husband bought a house in an area people advised against and how God has opened doors for them in their neighbourhood and the wider community. 

David has had a career in public policy, with over 30 years of experience in this space, including in child care and protection. Kathryn talks with David about his own childhood trauma and the sense of worthlessness he carried into life, his recent journey from feeling worthless to knowing he is loved and valued, and how this has changed his life. We also briefly touch on the recent Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care and hear David’s message for Baptists in this important space. Disclaimer: This episode addresses issues of childhood trauma and may be upsetting for some listeners.

Charles and Kathryn talk to the rockstar and legend in our Baptist movement, Merrilyn Withers. Serving the youth in our movement for over 40 years, she’s given her life to this work. Merrilyn shares her love for young people, stories that have brought her joy, what concerns her the most, and her hopes for the future of Baptist youth ministries.  

Kathryn talks with Kelly Burgess, Church Engagement Manager for Tearfund. Kelly has attended Eastgate Christian Centre, a Baptist church in Auckland, for over 24 years. Kelly is married to Jared, and they have two children. In this episode, Kelly tells us why she is passionate about child development and about the importance of legacy in someone's life. She also shares some incredible stories of Tearfund's work in Indonesia with the Mums and Bubs programme.

Charles Hewlett talks with Fiona Warring, a 45-year-old New Zealand Baptist living with terminal cancer. She's married to Mike, and they have three children. He asks her what it's like to live with a worsening prognosis, what are the things she grieves, and how she has been experiencing God in this journey.

In this episode, Charles Hewlett talks with Scott Heslop who is a rocket engineer. They discuss the pressures that many men face between work and home. Scott shares some of his experiences from the beginning of his career and fatherhood. Find more about the reality of loneliness and how we can journey together through the challenges of those seasons.

In this episode Kathryn Heslop talks with Anna Jones, who is part of Village Baptist Church in Havelock North. Anna shares with us about her recent research on vicarious trauma, how this has impacted her own life and how we can identify it in our lives. Anna links vicarious trauma with our faith: What does Jesus have to say to us about this? Did he experience vicarious trauma through his humanity, and what can we learn from the life of Jesus in this area? How should we as Christians respond by honouring God with our lives and listening to his call to love others?

In this episode Kathryn Heslop talks with Linda Allen, Principal of Oratia District School. Linda has been a principal for nearly seven years, four at an international school in Istanbul, Turkey, and almost three at Oratia. She is passionate about meaningful and authentic connection to her family and friends, to the Lord and how He wants her to live her life, and to learning. Linda discusses women in the workplace, the New Zealand education system, and the concern that some parents experience over what our children are being taught in schools today.

In this episode Charles talks to Sarah, who along with her husband Paul founded The Loyal Workshop, a business that brings freedom to women in the red light area of Kolkata, where it is estimated 2000 people are trapped in the sex trade. We talk together about having audacious dreams, and the enormous cost that comes along with them.

We are Charles Hewlett, and Kathryn Heslop. In our roles as National Leader, and Executive Advisor within the Baptist Churches of New Zealand, we daily have the privilege of bumping into interesting people. This podcast will give us the opportunity to introduce them to you, to let them shape us, as we endeavour to bring gospel renewal to people and places. In conversation we will explore something of their story: Why do we find them so interesting? What are they giving their lives to? Where does the motivation come from? We reflect together on both the highs and lows of their journey. Thanks heaps for taking the time to listen in.