MinistryFrom the beginning of 2023 Rev Sione Tesimale is the minister for Whangaparaoa Parish.
Richard Small is working in the Waitoki and Wainui districts. SIONE TESIMALE
Sione, is a New Zealand born of Tongan & Samoan descent, and has been involved in the Methodist Ministries for 20+ years as a lay preacher, youth leader as well as facilitating men’s, couples and family workshops. Sione is married to his wife Sandra and blessed with four children; Mina, Sam, Isaac and Sinaita. In his spare time, he spends it doing family outings and supporting his children with their extracurricular activities.
Sione, has a background in counselling of over 20 years. He brings his knowledge of working with all backgrounds, cultures, all ages and different world views. His hope is for a Parish to be a safe environment that gives you the freedom to seek, explore and recognise what God has called you to be. Sione, believes that it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit that individuals will feel heard, treasured and loved wholeheartedly. He is looking forward to working alongside everyone in the Parish, to inspire and encourage each perso to reach their full potential. Therefore, achieving the church mission: “To proclaim in word and action the transforming gospel of Christ.” RICHARD SMALL Richard has been part of Te Haahi Weteriana / The Methodist Church all his life. He was involved in regional youth ministry in the 1990s. He began lay preaching 2015. He is married to ‘Anaise. They currently live in Avondale. They have 6 adult children; daughter Olivia and son Sione at home, daughter Megan at university in Wellington. Andrew, Elizabeth and 'Uilani are in Australia. Richard is an immigration lawyer, with a background in community law. He and ‘Anaise work together at their law firm Pacific Legal in Newmarket. They see this work as a ministry and not just a business. Richard has long felt a call to ministry. He is a candidate for ministry in training at Trinity College. He is in a supply ministry part time at Hobsonville and Waitoke where he picks up years of work by Rev Andrew Gamman. He is passionate about fresh expressions of ministry and connecting with those outside the traditional church- making God visible through how we express his love. He has a strong commitment to inclusion and social justice, centred on Christ. He is very grateful to Rev Andrew and to the whole parish team for their support and to Rev Sione for his leadership. 
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