November Newsletter
A good succession
Last week I attended the Commissioning Service for TJ Grant - the new National Director of World Vision NZ. It was a wonderful occasion, deeply Christian, profoundly hope-filled and a ringing endorsement of TJ and his leadership. The change in leadership follows the appointment of Grant Bayldon (TJ’s predecessor) to lead World Vision Australia.
TJ joined the World Vision leadership team some years ago and is known and much loved by staff, supporters and the field staff alike. In his commissioning talk he thanked Grant for his compelling leadership, his coaching and mentorship and the love he shows TJ and his family.
TJ is ready. Grant is free to follow God’s call on his life. I was deeply moved, not just because I still bleed orange for World Vision, but because it is rare to see such well executed succession planning. More common is a loss of momentum and apprehension about what the future holds, coupled with the unrealistic hope that somehow the new leader will save us …often from ourselves.
Despite the clear biblical mandate for succession planning (eg Moses to Joshua, Paul to Timothy), we tend to start the conversation when the seat is vacated, not when it is first filled. We outsource the selection process to a search firm and a sub committee of the board. The future of the organisation can turn on how well someone did in the interview and their inevitably glowing referee statements. Surely there has to be a better way.
It starts with every leader understanding their responsibility to grow the next generation of leaders, to coach and mentor them, to give them opportunities and to take the hits on their behalf when things do not always go well. Whether they go on to more senior roles in the organisation or elsewhere is irrelevant. Growing leaders and succession is the most delightful part of my role.
Succession planning is now a regular topic on the Wilberforce board agenda. There is a freedom and a humility in this. The Board is not constrained by incumbency when it thinks about the future of Wilberforce. It is a healthy reminder to me that I occupy my seat for a season and a motivation to serve my one season to the best of my abilities.
Grant succeeded me at World Vision, and I succeeded Helen Green. One day the World Vision board will appoint a successor to TJ. God is already preparing the next leader. The challenge for TJ and his board is to decide how they partner with God in that process … and it starts at TJ’s very first board meeting.
Chris Clarke
Chief Executive, Wilberforce Foundation
Good News for Aotearoa:
A Catalyst for Evangelism and Unity
In October, evangelists, gospel workers, and ministry leaders from across Aotearoa gathered for the inaugural Good News for Aotearoa Forum—a Spirit-led event hosted by Laidlaw College, Journey Church, the Kimberley Trust and the Wilberforce Foundation. Over two days, participants were inspired, equipped, and encouraged to press on in the mission of sharing the gospel in our land.
Keynote speaker Jon Hori from See Jesus shared personally and practically on the J-Curve - a biblical framework for walking with Jesus through suffering and resurrection. He encouraged us to become resurrection hunters - people who look for signs of God’s redemptive work even in the midst of suffering, trusting that resurrection often begins in the heart before it’s seen in our circumstances.
He also taught on prayer, urging us to pray like children - unguarded, honest, and trusting. “Don’t push down what’s bothering you,” he said. “Bring it to God. He wants to hear it.” His invitation to childlike prayer reminded us that God delights in our messy, heartfelt cries and meets us in our weakness.
The forum featured 19 ED talks from ministries across Aotearoa, each offering fresh expressions of gospel work—from beach baptisms and student conversions to Māori-led initiatives, creation care, and apologetics. Each story was a reminder that God is moving in diverse and beautiful ways.
The Wilberforce Foundation was honoured to co-host this gathering, born out of a shared vision to see evangelists connected, encouraged, and mobilised. Keep an eye out for video content from the forum.
We’ll be sharing highlights and stories in the coming weeks.
Lunch and Learn:
Discussion with Praxis about how they have woven Care of Creation into their organisation
In this Wilberforce Foundation webinar, James Beck will interview Murray Shearer from Praxis, exploring the journey Praxis has taken to integrate creation care into their organisational policy and everyday practice.
Lunch and Learn: Jay Ruka in discussion with Chris Clarke
Did you miss it? A recording is now available of Jay Ruka and Chris Clarke discussing the vision behind Te Manu Hononga: Sir Paul Reeves Centre. Jay is the pioneering director of the centre, an education initiative inspired by the life and work of Sir Paul Reeves.
The centre is located in a refurbished vicarage and works in partnership with the Taranaki Cathedral to develop educational work and foster peace and reconciliation. A major part of the initiative is the creation of Te Whare Hononga, an education centre built in partnership with Ngāti Te Whiti hapū, to tell the church’s history honestly and give precedence to mana whenua.
You can watch the recording now
Wilberforce Community Newsletter
If you have any announcements, stories, or events you’d like to share with our community, please send them to us.
All articles should be sent to news@wilberforce.org.nz
Deadline for article submissions: the 12th of every month.
The newsletter will be distributed on the third Wednesday of every month.
Thank you for your continued engagement, and we look forward to hearing from you.
