A long-time leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in New Zealand has been appointed president of the New Zealand Pacific Union Conference (NZPUC).
Pastor Eddie Tupa’i was president of the North New Zealand Conference (NNZC) for more than 12 years before accepting the new role. The decision was made during a meeting on June 28. His 24 years of ministry has also included being a local church pastor and a director for youth, family and church development ministries in the NNZC and the NZPUC.
The NNZC administration team expressed happiness with the decision, “knowing that Pastor Eddie will be used powerfully by God in his new role. We wish him well and pray for him to be blessed and to bless as he takes up leadership in the NZPUC.”
Pastor Tupa’i is married to Tessa, who is a professional teaching fellow at the University of Auckland, and they have four adult sons.
“I have loved leading the healthy Adventist churches and communities vision for the NNZC,” said Pastor Tupa’i. “I am now looking forward to building on the work established by the outgoing president, Dr Brad Kemp, in the NZPUC.”
The new NNZC lead pastor will be Ben Timothy, who has served as general secretary since 2010.
“Accepting the call to this leadership role is challenging but also possible through the promise of the Holy Spirit,” said Pastor Timothy. “We continue the quest for healthy Adventist communities where God’s presence prepares people for the soon return of Jesus.”
Pastor Timothy was the Conference’s administrative pastor from 2005-2010, and prior to that had been a conference pastor since 1993.
In a statement released by the NNZC, the Conference thanked everyone for their prayers during the decision-making process.
“We welcome Pastor Ben and his family to this new role, and pray that he will feel God’s strength mightily as he leads the Spirit-filled vision for healthy Adventist communities in North New Zealand,” the statement said.
Pastor Timothy is married to Noelene, who is currently teaching at Balmoral Seventh-day Adventist School. In addition to two sons, Andre and Benjamin, they have seven grandchildren.
The reshuffle happened after Dr Brad Kemp, former president of the NZPUC, was appointed CEO of Adventist Media.
