A 'little' about me - Roger's testimony
'They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony...'
I was born an 'M.K.' - translated, that means a
Missionary Kid, born on the mission field at Papua New Guinea in 1965. I
was always rather excited about being born and bred in PNG - until one day, only
a few years ago when
I saw a photo of my mum leaving Australia (where they
trained with New Tribes Mission) to go to the mission field in PNG. What I
couldn't understand, was why my mum had a beach ball stuffed up her dress. Arrrrg! I came to the sudden realisation that it was ME inside that little
bundle. I was conceived in Australia!!!!
We left PNG when I was a child, and moved back to NZ for a variety of reasons.
I had a good upbringing, with loving and providing parents.
As a teenager I had a few friends, but because of a stomach illness and low self-esteem, I pretty much kept to myself. In fact, my life didn't mean too much until I was invited to attend the Queen Street AOG by the Knell family. I was so aware of the presence of God at these services, and my heart was strangely touched each time people went forward to altar calls. I just couldn't stop crying!
I went forward on Sunday 18th August 1983, and gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. I was laying in bed the other night thinking about how to explain this to you. Let me try, as far as words will allow.
It is a complete, total and
utter surrender to the Almighty God - coupled with the absolute assurance of the
cleansing of every wrong thing you have every done, plus the deep serenity of
knowing without a doubt that if I were to die, I would instantly be with God in
heaven! It is like bathing in waves and waves of unconditional love and
acceptance.
My life pretty much took a 180% turn from that night onwards! Over the next year, I struggled a bit with the expectation at the AOG for me to be healed or delivered from the chronic stomach illness that I have. My illness had, and still has a deep impact upon my faith and theology
I started work at age 16 in an engineering workshop, and there I stayed for the next 17 years! Sure, I became a 'director' and all that stuff, but for me - although I love working with my hands and doing engineering/tool making, it was simply my 'mission field' to serve God and make disciples.
In 1983 I started attending
Birk
dale Baptist church on Auckland's North Shore. Although only 17 years of
age, I quickly became involved in several ministries that I enjoyed thoroughly,
and made some friends that I will cherish for a life time.
I was asked to work at the church during 1984 as 'Assistant' to the senior pastor. This was a very rich and powerful experience for me, but sadly it did not end well.
One of the most fantastic things to come out of 'Birkdale' was meeting my beautiful wife! We were married on 2nd February 1985.
From that time forward, Deb and I fell in love more and more each day, both with each other, with our Lord, and with the family He blessed us with.
To date, we have six children. Josiah, David, Casey, Sam, Ethan and Abbey. We have/or continue to home-school them all. David was married in 2006.
After 'Birkdale' I returned to my trade in Mechanical Engineering, where I stayed for the next 15 years. During this time Deb and I were actively involved in Glenfield and Northwest Baptist, mainly in Youth and Worship ministry.
During the mid nineties, I experienced a horrific 'breakdown' and 'burnout experience' where I became very depressed, phobic and suffered from full blown panic attacks. This lasted a few years, and was horrible. I could not even look people in the eye, and if the phone rang, would run hiding with full blown panic and phobias. I had a immense fear of any public place, and especially of public speaking.
I fully believe in the power of God to heal, deliver and set the captives free! I know what it is like to go from a 'cringing fearful person' consumed with phobia and anxiety, into someone who knows the power of God to 'boldly' speak and preach His word!
The stock market crash of '88 hit my industry hard, as did the lowering of import tariffs on hydraulic parts for the automotive trade. For the next ten years I took on an ever increasing load at work, towards the end of this time, doing the work of two or three people.
Unfortunately my physical health took a hit during this time. The medication I was on for my depression caused me to gain a lot of weight, going from 65kg's to 95 in a few months.
My stomach and digestive system literally 'blew apart' and I had major surgery to repair the damage, which went horribly wrong and left me with an even worst chronic illness - 'Chronic Motility Disorder'.
However, I DO believe God has
the power to heal, but I also believe He has the power to sustain and strengthen
DESPITE still living with a chronic illness!
(And in reality, I think that gives more glory to God than 'chasing' after a
miracle cure!
Finally in 1998 Deb and I decided that I need to resign. On Deb's prompting, we entered BCNZ in late '98 for three years of studying for a Bachelor Degree in Theology.
To this day, we do not know where the $17,000 came from to complete this study. God literally provided 'manna from heaven' for us. Our home church at Northwest Baptist were also extremely supportive.
Like most students, I gave myself to study with 'all my heart, soul, mind and strength!' After year one, Debbie said to me 'You might leave here with a degree, but you'll not have a family at the rate your going!'
From that night onwards, I never studied another night or weekend.
Half way through our study, God led us to attend a service at Te Atatu Baptist, and as soon as I
walked in the door, God spoke to me in an audible voice; 'I want you to be
pastor here!' 
That was the year 2000, and God did indeed lead us to pastor here.
One amazing thing about this, is that we'd been pastoring here for around four years when I discovered that this is the exact church where my mum and dad were 'commissioned' and sent to the mission field in PNG where I was born!! How's that for amazing!
What does the future hold???
You know, I wanted all my life to become a pastor! Buy hey - now I'm there!
What comes next???
It can be a very scary thing to reach your goal. What do you have to 'aim for' once you've reached it!
Well, God has done a deep work in my life over the last couple of years, dealing with insecurities and defence mechanisms. I had come to the point that the only way I could 'grow' as a pastor and person, was to deal with some of my own 'issues'. This really is a hard thing to do. Change, real change - deep in our guts change - is REALLY hard!
So, I'm on a journey of growth
and maturity in the Lord. I want to be all He wants me to be.
I am developing in my pastoral heart towards our people. Loving, caring, being a 'spiritual father' as well.
God has rekindled a heart for missions. Deb, my daughter and several members from church went on a mission trip the marginalized of Fiji in 2006, and are planning on returning regularly.
Our heart for mission includes India, and an amazing opportunity I had to return to my birth country for the first time, to relive some experiences and look at the place I was born, first trod God's green earth, and resolve some issues in my own heart and life.
While at PNG, I stayed with NTM (New Tribes Mission) the agency my parents were with while they were missionaries in PNG. As well a preaching at two services at the mission base, I was able to spend time encouraging them in their service to God and visited my childhood tribe in the Highlands.
Check out our Missions Page for updates of this, and our other missionary trips.
One thing I do know, is that I want to embrace all God has for me - with arms open wide.
I'm on a journey with God, and I'd like to share this with you too - because you are on a journey with Him too.
Let's travel this journey together.
Catch up with you later.
Roger
Hey - I'm finally back from my 'pilgrimage' to PNG, and have heaps to share with you! (2007)
While visiting my 'childhood' village of Yagaria, I managed to find our 'house-boy' of over 40 years ago! Actually, he lives only 5 meters away from the MTC (Missionary Training Centre) that used to be the place where our family lived as missionaries!
Namugi remembered me and my family instantly, and tears welled in his eyes. I was privileged to sleep the night in his hut, and meet his children, then going 'bat and snake' hunting with his two eldest sons the next day.
Here is Namugi and I embraced in a traditional NZ hongi (pressing of noses in friendship) after Namugi, his mari (wife) Salone and children had a 'welcome home' ceremony and presented me with gifts.
Blessings, and thank you for your prayers and support.
Roger
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