Graham Jacobsen; read Grahams profile here.

Kerry Storey (Chairman)

I have been married to my lovely wife, Dianne, for 29 years. We have two boys, Glen 25 years and Dale 22 years. We moved to the BOP in 2000 and I have worked on gold orchards driving Ferrari’s most days since then.

Most of my previous career has been within the dairy industry, with involvement in Christian Camping, Church Youth Co-ordinator, and pumping petrol.

I was brought up in a Christian family, who regularly attended Church. At the age of 10 I clearly knew one night that I needed to ask Jesus Christ to be my Saviour and forgive my sin. I did this as simply a 10 year old could do by myself, and then later that night told Mum and Dad what I had done.

Around the age of 15 I publicly showed, by being baptised, that I wanted to have Jesus Christ lead and guide my life. I still do today and don’t regret those earlier decisions. We have had many difficult and trailing times, but I can say that God has always been there for us and through those times.

My main interest has really been the local Church and family, but lately I have tried my hand at some photography as a hobby. I guess when you put two of those together it sums up my passion, and that is seeing families together as they should be, which should demonstrate the local Church, as well as the local church being able to help in this area.

One of my favourite Bible verses would be Philippians 4 verse 13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” The previous verses talk about being content in all circumstances, I like this verse particularly for me through struggling with low self esteem, so it encourages me that things are to be done in God’s strength.

As far as my position as an Elder goes, I feel very responsible for decisions made and very small in the fact of “Why me” From my point of view I am no different then anyone else and am no more spiritual than anyone else. We have all been given different tasks to do, mine happens to be eldership. As a Church (a body of people, not the building) we all need to work together in unity to serve and follow our Lord

Mike Edwards

I am the proud father of four and the undeserving husband of one amazing woman.
That amazing woman is Julie and together we live with our four great kids, Sam, Luke, Kalee and Jessie.  

Julie is a home mum and somehow manages to find time to home school the kids in amongst all the other busyness of life.

By trade I am a money lender. An unworthy soul, who depends greatly on the unwavering grace of God. 
However, that being said, I wish not to be measured by how effectively or otherwise I carry out my trade but by how well I Father and by how well I lead. 

I fear I do not measure well…and so I endeavour to run the race all that harder.
Let’s run the race together.

Barry Jones

Des Langdon 

“We are now in our 6

When Jenny and I married 35 years ago we began our journey together dairy farming in a country community called Orini. After working at Totara Springs Christian Camp, Matamata, we moved into church pastoral work in Morrinsville, Putaruru and now here in Te Puke.

We are blest with 3 special sons, 2 neat daughters in law, and 6 amazing grandchildren.

Jenny’s spiritual journey began in England where as a young teenager she became a Christian. Over the following years she had the joy of seeing the rest of her family become Christians.

My parents were very committed to following Jesus, and so I was taught the Christian faith from my parents and the church family we attended. At 13 I decided I wanted to also be a follower of Jesus.

I enjoy the out doors, so nature, hunting, sports, gardening etc are all very relaxing and enjoyable for me. Yes, my sporting endeavours have moved from the field to the armchair. Jenny over the years has expressed a variety  of arty, crafty,  and culinary skills. She also found fulfilling many years working in a community center.

If there are some key motto’s I am often heard quoting perhaps here’s a few.
I believe they are all based on the Bible:

“Let your life be an overflow of your relationship with Jesus Christ”

“Lying within your greatest strength is often your greatest weakness”

“Of all the problem people I have to deal with, I’m the biggest one”

“My ability to handle life is not determined by what is going on around me, but  how I handle what is going on in me”.

I’ve just been given a good one by my mentor Jeremy. It is similar to the last one: “I may not resolve the problem, but I will resolve my heart”
I like that.

I appreciate the opportunity to spend all my days doing what I love, yet at the same time wrestle with the great responsibility.

I get encouragement from Paul’s testimony in Colossians 1 v 29: To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy which so powerfully works within me.

Hi. I am married to my beautiful wife Korrin and we have two young boys who are heaps of fun (most of the time J).

I am an Aircraft engineer by trade; did some time in the NZ Air Force and at Air NZ. Now I am currently studying towards a bachelor of Applied Theology and working part-time for the Orchard as a youth leader. It is cool working with young people as they have a lot of energy, passion and potential. My aim in my work is to help them follow Jesus and release them into the abundant life that Jesus has for them.

When I can I like to get out for a surf or hang out with friends. This is the essence of life… our relationships with others. They’re not always easy but they are always worth it!

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