Dunedin, New Zealand

David & Kristy Richards

I became a Christian when I was twelve and was active in my faith through my teenage years. As a University Student in Brisbane I was discipled by a CO staff person and grew greatly in my faith. Kristy became a Christian through the same ministry. After serving on staff in Brisbane we are now laboring on the campus in Dunedin, New Zealand so that labourers may be raised up for these harvest fields.

Jason Adrian

I grew up in Fiji as a nominal Christian who rationalized living in sin by ‘balancing it’ with the works of church attendance, youth events, and service in the church. I simply did not see the seriousness of my sin before a Holy God until I started taking Scripture more seriously. Being asked questions about the faith, hearing objections to the truthfulness of Scripture, and observing how other Christians around me did not give a reason for their hope (1 Pet. 3:14-17) during my final year in high school (2018) was when my trajectory shifted ‘Godward’. In God’s providence, the social situation of COVID-19 in the Fijian context allowed me to grow exponentially; having more spare time meant more studying. By God’s grace, over time, I understood the necessity of recognizing the wrath of the Triune God of Scripture and the salvific provision He made through His Son who lived a perfect life, died, was buried, and rose again all according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4), so that all who believe in Christ will receive the gift of eternal life (Rom. 6:23). Through God’s gift of faith, it is upon this foundation that my life is built. These combined experiences propelled me to engage youths both within the church and on the university campus. My life goal and vision are to see the Gospel reverberate throughout Fiji and the wider Pacific. However, I recognize that this cannot be done in isolation and must be carried out with other like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ. I truly believe that the King will expand His Kingdom whether we, in our generation, put our hand to the plough or not. But what a joy it would be to be a faithful Christian that the King empowers to carry out His Mission (Matt. 28:18-20).

Grace Baloun

Grace is from Colorado and attended Mississippi State University, where she first heard the gospel truth in her freshman year. Through the rest of her time at State, she began a deep and intentional faith in the Lord. Through Campus Outreach, her college ministry, she was able to mature in her faith and grow her heart for international ministry. In being led in a discipleship group, leading a couple of her own, campus prayer, and multiple summer and winter projects, Grace has witnessed God move in the lives of students across the nation. She is thankful for her time spent with Campus Outreach and Redeemer Church at State, and is eager to spend time with the Lord and His church overseas!

Travis Barth

Travis grew up in a Christian household, where he was immersed in biblical teachings. However, it was during his college years that he truly comprehended the weight of his own sin, the profound sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for him, and the significance of cultivating a personal relationship with his Savior. As a result of his involvement with Campus Outreach, Travis spent his final two years at Bethel University discovering the joy of sharing his hope in Christ with others and recognizing the pressing need to spread the message of the gospel worldwide. Motivated by the billions of people who lack access to the good news of Christ, Travis eagerly chose to join Campus Outreach in Dunedin, New Zealand, dedicating himself to sharing this transformative hope with the world.

Paddy and Nadia Beamish

My name is Patrick(Paddy) Beamish and I know and love Jesus. I’m a born and bred Kiwi bloke who enjoys rugby, sports, having a laugh and solid theology. I trained as a physical therapist at university and married the beautiful Nadia. My main goal in life is to enjoy Jesus and share him with others. “That your joy may be full.”

Matt & Emma Kincaid-Lloyd

I went to church only twice a year as a kid and was first exposed to the gospel when I was a sophomore in high school at a weekend retreat. I left knowing that I was sinful, that my sin separated me from God, and that I needed a savior. The summer going into my senior year, God softened my heart and showed me that Jesus was my savior. I went to college and joined a fraternity so that I could tell people, who seemed to only be living for the weekend, about the joy, peace, and purpose I’d received from Christ. I fell in love with telling college students about Jesus throughout my time in school and fell in love with sharing Christ with post-modern secularized people during my time at a liberal arts school and studying abroad in London, UK. I have been given the opportunity to go to the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand to share Jesus with college students and to help build Christ-like leaders for the next generation.

Elizabeth (Josh) Martin

While students at Tennessee Tech, Elizabeth and Josh were individually introduced to the CO ministry in New Zealand, and both served there for a number of years after graduation. The Lord used their time overseas to bring them together as a couple and grow their vision for strengthening and equipping Christians, evangelizing, and inviting in the lost. Now, back in New Zealand, they are excited to strengthen the ministry and church by living out their passions for healthy rhythms, encouraging others, sharing truth, and walking through life with people. They believe that the Lord is working around the world and count it a privilege to be part of what He is doing in the Tasman Region.

Rebecca Newport

Rebecca is from Wichita, KS and attended Kansas State University to receive her degree in Elementary Education. Growing up, Rebecca was blessed to learn about God and knew she wanted God to be a part of her life. However, it was not until college that Rebecca learned what it meant to have a personal relationship with God and truly give Him control. During her time in college, Rebecca was involved with a college ministry called Student Mobilization. Rebecca’s involvement with Student Mobilization helped her learn what it looked like to develop in her faith as well as share her faith with others. Rebecca is extremely excited to be partnering with the Campus Outreach team in Dunedin, New Zealand, with the prayer that God will use her to reach college students and see them come to know Christ.

Rochelle Raggio

I grew up in a Christian family and became a Christian in high school. When I went to University, I became involved with Engage Otago (Campus Outreach Dunedin). I am so thankful for the people who invested in me and helped me to know and love God more. They showed me what it looked like to live as a Christian and helped me to grow in my faith and share it with others.

I graduated in 2014 and worked for 4 years as a primary school teacher while continuing to volunteer with Engage. Through Campus Outreach, I went to Thailand twice for short-term missions. I saw the need for laborers in Thailand and applied to join the Campus Outreach team there.

I served in Thailand for 2 years and was thankful to see the Lord’s work in His church and people throughout my time in Udon Thani and Chiang Mai.

Since returning to New Zealand I continue to be convinced of the need and unique opportunities in student ministry. I am excited to be part of the team serving in Dunedin, coming alongside students to help them to know, worship, and serve Christ for the rest of their lives.

Jono & Laura Spence

Jono and Laura were both blessed to grow up in Christian homes in New Zealand. At the age of 17, Jono’s family moved to Mongolia to do ministry work, and Laura moved to Dunedin to pursue a career in medicine. It was in Dunedin, while in university, that Campus Outreach/Engage grew Laura’s heart for the lost and her passion for glorifying God through her studies. Meanwhile, in Mongolia, Jono was beginning to grasp the truth that all Christians are called to be “missionaries” and that it’s a way of life to be lived wherever they are. He also grew to understand that Western cultures need missionaries just as much as anywhere else. Jono and Laura were married and now serve together with the Engage team. Laura works as the Women’s Coordinator and Jono works on the campus of Otago University. They look forward to reaching those who haven’t heard the gospel and discipling Christian students in their walk with God together.

Georgia Verdon

I grew up with a basic understanding of the gospel and went to church occasionally with my family. Whilst at university, I was eager and curious to explore Christianity more, which led to me becoming involved with Campus Outreach in Brisbane, Australia. After the loving patience of the staff who spent time answering all my questions, I was able to truly accept the gospel and began to build a relationship with Jesus. Since graduating, I have been working as a paramedic, which has caused me to see the desperate need for Jesus in so many people’s lives. Knowing the immense peace and joy that comes from loving Jesus has grown my passion for spreading the gospel. I have been given the opportunity to join Campus Outreach in Dunedin, New Zealand, and I am so excited to dedicate my time to sharing the sweet love of Jesus with university students.