Say Olá to Diego

This weekend our future Sourhern Regional Children and Families Pastor boards a plane in Brazil on the way to join us in Hawkes Bay and take on an important ministry role within our church and within our diocese.

Diego Gomes has been appointed to the role of Southern Regional Children and Families Pastor, a job developed following the Koru Ministry Report published in 2024 which outlined the challenges and opportunities for ministry to childre, youth and families in our diocese. The role complements a similar one in the North of the diocese taken on by Marg Barsanti from Holy Trinity, Tauranga. Diego's role will see him have a view over the development of these ministries across the Hawkes Bay and into Southern and Central Hawkes Bay, while also bringing his expertise and energy to bear on life in the Parish of Taradale.

Diego, who is 36, joins us after more than two decades in ministry. Beginning as a youth pastor, Diego has held numerous roles and offices, most recently that of lead pastor for a large church in Brazil. Diego's passions are prayer and worship, and says that wherever there are people are prayer he will be there. We are looking forward to the new energy, perspective and ideas that Diego will bring with him.

At church on Sunday, a form will be shared asking if you would like to invite Diego around for dinner in the weeks following his arrival. Not only is this a wonderful way to get to know him and for him to get to know us, but he will also not be paid until just before Easter so any generosity we can extend will be greatly appreciated.

Diego officially begins on Monday, 7 April and we will make sure to make a point of welcoming him formally into our midst on the following Sunday as he joins with us through the profound season of Holy Week and Easter.

Please pray for his journey to New Zealand this weekend and for open doors and soft hearts from those he will be working with across the Diocese of Waiapu.