David and Linda’s Journey together in Ministry
Married October 15th, 1977  in People’s Church, Scottsdale, Arizona

We served the youth ministry in the church as Youth leaders, while working full time. In 1978 while attending a Missions conference in Southern California, we met Des Short, founder of Faith Bible College, in Tauranga New Zealand. After hearing our story, and desire to be trained for ministry, he invited us to FBC.

We arrived in February 1979 for a years worth of intensive teaching, training and ministry. After graduation, we returned to Scottsdale and started together full time in People’s church ministry after being ordained to ministry on 1st January, 1980. We worked mostly with young adults ministry and the Christian School in a variety of roles. 

In late 1981 we moved to Tulsa Oklahoma to Sheridan Christian Centre as youth pastors, and other areas of responsibility as well. It was a fruitful time, yet it wasn’t long before we moved into travelling and ministering throughout the USA. 

Our firstborn Jonathan arrived at the end of 1982, and soon we were invited back to New Zealand to take up ministry roles with Faith Bible College, where we ministered throughout the country representing and promoting the College. We also travelled to Australia, and parts of Asia, which was a wonderful time. We also met many pastors, and ministered in many churches, one of which was called Tauranga South Baptist Church. This church became like a second home for us.

We stayed nearly two years, returning to Scottsdale Arizona to start afresh in ministry, helping to plant a new church, which grew into a solid church in North Scottsdale. David took employment in the Car business to supplement income, as difficulties in the ministry were taking place. In 1988 we began our own church called Celebration of Hope, and gave it our best to see it get established. Church growth wasn’t happening, and eventually we closed the doors after 18 months. We were discouraged and began to earnestly seek God for His direction. We visited a church in Scottsdale Pastored by a friend Mike Maiden. He prayed and spoke prophetically over us, and the result was powerful. 

We prayed and sought God for our next assignment. He spoke to us and said that He was going to bring a Powerful Move of His Spirit to New Zealand and He wanted us there!

On January 10th  1991 we, along with our two sons, Jonathan (8) and Andrew (4),  arrived full of faith believing & trusting God for His guidance and provision. We first were located in Hamilton, and began to travel out to various churches as doors began to open. An opportunity to minister at Tauranga South Baptist Church was given. After ministering a few weeks while the pastor of the church was on leave, he tendered his resignation, and we were asked to pastor the church. The vote took place in June 1991, with nearly 100% saying yes. Amazing. 

​We officially started Pastoring here 1st August, 1991. God has done a tremendous work in the lives of those who have called Changepoint their home at some point on their journey. We Love this Church, Our Community, Our City and this Nation. We are very grateful to God for leading us here by His Grace. We are thrilled and blessed to have both our son’s Jonathan & Andrew along with their wives Alissa and Amy serving on or Changepoint staff.  Our 5 beautiful grandchildren are thriving in this beautiful place we call home.