“We are now in our 6th year at The Orchard working with a neat family of Christians, as we all daily seek to become more like Jesus in our community…”

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.