About Us
Children and Families – a whānau-based ministry
Servant Leadership
We lead the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand into authentic engagement with children and families.
Welcome – Haere Mai – Talofa Lava – Kia Orana – Fakaalofa Lahi Atu – Malo E Lelei – Malo Ni – Bula Vinaka – Anyoung Haseyo
Children and Families is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ). The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand believes it is called to work with others in making Jesus known through –
- Teaching and nurturing people on Christian faith
- Loving service responding to human need
- Proclaiming the gospel
- Seeking to transform society
- Caring for God’s creation
The Children and Families Ministry team serves the wider church by encouraging and supporting Children and Families Ministry workers in a variety of contexts.
Our Story
A ministry to children and their families has always been at the heart of the church. Early settlers to New Zealand brought the practice of Sunday School to the church and with this, passion for teaching the gospel to children and youth, as seen in all-age Sunday School, Children’s Clubs, Bible Class and Presbyterian Church Schools.
Consistent with its commitment to education, the Presbyterian Church has long been known for its children and youth ministries. Throughout much of the twentieth century the Sunday School and Bible Class movements were very strong.
(Graham Redding, The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand: A Brief History, 4 September, 2012, p.13.)
Findings from the 2002 AC Nielsen research “Attracting New Zealanders to spiritual life”* prompted the Kids Friendly initiative in 2004. The Kids Friendly project began as a trial project at St. Helier’s Presbyterian, Auckland, with Jill Kayser and Emily Wotton as the Project Managers. It was established with funding from the Council of World Churches. A further pledge of funding from the Presbyterian Savings and Development fund allowed the project to be trialled in a further 8 churches, and to become a national PCANZ project in 2006. The Kids Friendly ministry of the PCANZ continued to be led by Jill Kayser as the national Kids Friendly coach until 2017. Over the years, a vision for a church that welcomes, celebrates and nurtures children was also shared by office staff, regional Kids Friendly coaches and champions.
*http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/about-us/research-resources/ac-nielsen-research
The start of 2020 saw a new change. After a significant review of all national ministries and staffing, the Mission Resourcing Team was established with new roles of Directors of Children and Families Ministry as part of that team. Continuing to develop from the strong legacy of those who have gone before, the Children and Families Ministry – a whanau-based ministry, is a response to the vital roles families have in forming faith in their children and the partnership the gathered church has in supporting them.
Photos from Kids Friendly Posters and Presbyterian Research Centre archives.
Check out the PCFM video for General Assembly 2021.
Our Vision & Mission
Our Vision
To see communities of faith inspired to share God’s big story by engaging authentically with children and families.
Our Mission
To serve the Children and Families ministry of the Presbyterian Church Aotearoa New Zealand through:
Our Logo Story
Inspired by the national PCANZ burning bush logo, we have included the flame as one element in the design. The flame signifies the presence of the Holy Spirit woven through the Church gathered. The flame also reminds us of the call and response to God’s Spirit at work among God’s people.
The koru, an ever-present image in all parts of life in Aotearoa, signifies new life and growth. This family of growing and unfurling fronds are rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The three koru stand together representing generations. Each has its own place and together share relational community. They are held and woven together by the Spirit of God, nurturing each other.
Our Team
The ministry to children and families in the Presbyterian church is supported both by the National Service Team and Regional Presbyteries.
National Service Team
Karo comes to us from a background in Children and Youth ministry. She is passionate about helping young people discover who Jesus is, and finding their place within God’s family, and in His Big Story.
Karo enjoys creating resources that help lead children and families into deeper conversations about God, Jesus and what faith looks like in our lives.
Alongside her role at PCFM, Karo works part time in a local ministry context, focussing on community-based children’s ministry programmes at Weston Presbyterian Church, in the Waitaki District.
Karo can be contacted via email karo@presbyterian.org.nz or on 027 274 3322
Regional Presbyteries
Mandi Geustyn
Children & Families Advisor, Otago & Southland Region
After 4 years of being a Children and Families Ministry Leader in Cromwell, Mandi has taken up the role as Children and Families Advisor for the Otago and Southland region.
She has 7 years of Children’s Ministry experience in a variety of different areas and will utilize her experience and knowledge to support Children’s Ministries and congregations within the region.
She is passionate about Children and Families Ministry with a strong desire to see people grow spiritually. She values opportunities to reach children and families, encourage, equip and support them in their faith forming activities.
She considers serving in the Children’s Ministry a great privilege.
Cathrine Sharman
Children, Youth and Families Coach, Kaimai Region
Cathrine had spent over 12 years in ministry. She has primarily worked with teenagers from Intermediate age upwards, but dabbled a bit in children’s ministry. Over the years she has seen the importance of walking alongside people as they grow in their faith no matter what age they are.
