Pastor Ben Martin is the new president of the South New Zealand Conference.
The role became vacant after Pastor Mike Sikuri was appointed secretary of the South Pacific Division.
Pastor Martin is now transitioning from his previous ministry role as pastor for Bishopdale church in Christchurch. Since graduating from Avondale University in 2006, he has served as an intern, school chaplain, pastor and regional pastor for the North New Zealand Conference before accepting a call to South New Zealand in 2019.
“Right now I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed and surprised,” he said. “I’ve appreciated the leadership in this Conference, and its vision to know, live and serve; appreciated the leadership of Mike Sikuri, and excited more than anything to keep working with the team here on making that vision a reality.
“I would like to see churches thriving—being innovative—preserving our unique Adventist message, while facing up to the realities of the world and modern life.”
Commenting on the appointment, New Zealand Pacific Union Conference president Pastor Eddie Tupa’i said, “We wish Pastor Ben, his wife Lenka and their sons, Zach and Josh, God’s richest blessings in their new season of ministry.”
