CWS welcomes new National Director

On his first day Tim met the hard-working volunteers in the office who were preparing the Spring Appeal for mailing and welcomed the new international programmes officer, Fi Sawers, replacing Kathlene Soo who has completed her term in the position.

Tim brings many years of governance and management experience to the organisation both in and beyond the church. Most recently, he has served as the Maclaurin Chaplain at the University of Auckland. He says he specialises, “in leading a refresh of service-oriented organisations that has focused on developing their strategies, structures, and finances, so they continue to respond effectively and efficiently amid an everchanging world.”

He has worked at several faith-based organisations, both locally and internationally. Originally trained as a pastor at Baptist (Carey) College, he has worked in leadership roles with Boys’ Brigade New Zealand (Iconz/BBNZ), The Global Fellowship of Christian Youth, and The Interchurch Council of Hospital Chaplaincy. He holds a Master of Business Administration with distinction and a Doctor of Philosophy in management.

Tim says he was attracted to the core values of CWS, “centred on actively living our faith through care, support and partnership with both people and planet”.

CWS is currently preparing materials for this year’s Christmas Appeal, “Share Food this Christmas”. The central story is from Somawathie, a small-scale farmer in the dry north central plains of Sri Lanka. Thanks to our partner Monlar, she is learning new ways of farming in order to cope with rising costs, higher temperatures, and more droughts. However, she is very worried about the economic situation in her country, and the wild elephants that frequent her small block of land.