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Hand—Carved Mission
HOME ➝ Who is Arotahi? ➝ Arotahi whakapapa

0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} it all started The first Baptist church of Aotearoa New Zealand begins in Nelson in 1851. Just 34 years later, by members of the now 27 Baptist churches around the country, our little mission organisation is born. At this time, there is a growing awareness and excitement for what is happening globally. 1885 2022 1891 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} Rosalie MacGeorge 1886 27-year-old Rosalie MacGeorge boards a ship with a one-way ticket, the beginning of her journey to B—sh (South Asia). Rosalie would form deep connections with her community, leaving behind the confines of the conventional mission house to move in with a local Hindu family. Rosalie would become a trailblazer in cross-cultural work and is still talked about today as “years ahead of her time”. Rosalie died at age 31 in the South Asian region she loved deeply, after contracting illness (likely typhoid). Read Rosalie’s incredible story here. Rosalie MacGeorge 1885 1891 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} Medical work commences 1891 Medical work commences in Br—ria (South Asia), largely with the support of global workers Walter La Barte and Annie Bacon. Hopestill Pillow was in charge of the dispensary station, while also visiting women in their homes and running school classes for children. Ministering to the health of the body is seen as a way of meeting the spiritual needs of the people. 1886 1901 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} Global workers 1901 Global workers Dr. Charles North and Emily Wiseman oversee the opening of a hospital in Ch—pur (South Asia). The hospital would begin with 4 wards; 24 beds and an operating theatre. Doctor North and local doctor Amir Hossein, along with the local and international team of assistants, would see 78, 373 patients from more than 1200 villages in the first nine years.

John Takle’s commitment to the Muslim community would see him spearhead contextual resources for other global workers, and beyond. 1891 1920 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} shelter is established 1920 A shelter is established on a piece of land in Br—ria, where young women and children can make a home. At this time child brides often found themselves widowed, some with children that were vulnerable to being sold or stolen. On a piece of land in the community are built cottages, a store-house for rice and vegetables, a cook-house, dining room, and a weaving room. 1901 1931 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} Invitation 1931 We were invited into T–ra by the Maharaja (it was 1937 when MJ & Cath Eade would move here), where many of our team served faithfully until 1973. By this time, the church was fully autonomous with over 7,500 members. Strong local leadership has seen the fellowship grow exponentially. We were lucky to celebrate alongside the T–ra Baptist Christian Fellowship in 2019, as they marked 75 years. A rich history we are so proud to be a part of! 1920 1941 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} English Medium Schools 1941 Amy Cowles is the first global worker to travel to South Asia by plane. Amy first travelled to this region in 1911, trained as a teacher and a nurse. She says of the flight, “It was the best way I have ever travelled yet. When in the tropics, it was good to soar up to 7,000 or 8,000 feet.” Amy Cowles, Hilda Rice, Mary Bradfield, Eileen Arnold, Marjory Bush and Jean Thompson would show us the significance of long-standing commitment- impacting an innumerable number of women. A commitment to education is made during this time, one that would continue with Ross & Cindy’s vision of English Medium Schools Ross & Cindy 1931 1945 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} Wartime 1945 Wartime would see three global workers serve in the Armed Forces of a South Asian nation. WWII had seen the spread of famine in South Asia, with large price increases to basics such as rice and wheat. Global worker B.N Eade sets up an organisation for relief in response to this crisis, which becomes a model for other famine areas to replicate; even winning the esteem of the Kaisar-i-Hind gold medal. 1941 1969 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} Education in PNG 1969 The first global worker, Dianne Milmine, arrives in PNG ready to work in education/English teaching. Our relationship with this place would continue to grow and evolve, with many other global workers getting involved in medical work, administration and management, pastoral work, and further education. 1945 1972 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} New Testament translation 1972 Romesh Deb Borma, Jong Bahadur Deb Borma, and Brian Smith sit in an apartment in K–ta and begin the task of New Testament translation into Tripuri. For the next three and a half years, they would revise and refine the translation until finally the first print run of 5000 New Testament copies would be sent to their new home in Arg–la. 1969 1974 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} Solomon Islands 1974 Our relationship with the Solomon Islands begins, with the Harry’s joining a commercial venture in partnership with a local church. Expansion was fast, with only ten years seeing 250 local staff employed – many being trained for leadership positions. 1972 1984 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} student hostel 1984 The doors of Br–ria student hostel are first opened as a home for young boys from rural or marginalised communities to study and live comfortably in proximity to the school. Find out what the boys of Br–ria hostel are up to today! hostel sponsorship 1974 1985 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} A College of Christian Theology 1985 A College of Christian Theology in South Asia (est. 1968) is joyfully handed to local leadership, Rev. Simon Sircar. Since then, global workers have been involved in short courses, seminars and tutoring in support of the College. 1984 1999 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} sustainable businesses 1999 A team heads to K–ta, with the vision to open sustainable businesses that can be a light in the community. Some of the most well-known freedom businesses in the world were born from this brave and innovative dream. Take a look at Joel & Lizzie and Jo & Charlie’s work. Joel & Lizzie Jo & Charlie 1985 1885 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} centenary 2019 B–l Baptist Fellowship marks their centenary! Another long-standing, mutual relationship that we see the fruit of today. 1999 2020 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} Mission Council 2020 Mission Council formally apologies to Te Kapa Rautaki (Baptist Māori leadership/strategy group) for intentionally turning away from relationship and fellowship with Māori in the late 1800’s, an action that would carry much pain for generations. We are thankful to now be kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face). Read about Māori leaders and trailblazers who we partner with here.
 mahitahi 2019 2022 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} Arotahi: Hand–Carved Mission 2022 A new name signals a new and unwritten chapter; simply the next part of a rich and dynamic story. Arotahi: Hand–Carved Mission. Relationships and works that span many global places, but with a united focus on Christ. Want to be a part of the story? Check out our global experiences now. global experiences 2020 1885

Whakapapa

Our whakapapa begins with God, and is wide and long as it holds together the threads of all those who we are connected with, and who have gone before us. The above exploration into our history and whakapapa is only a small snapshot of the many threads that are part of what weaves us together today.

For further self-exploration:

Toward the Sunrise

The Centenary History of the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society 1885-1985. Email jasmine@arotahi.org.nz for a copy.

Email Jasmine
Baptist Māori Speak:

Ko Ngā Kōrero O Ngāi Māori Iriiri.
Rāwiri Auty, Ngāti Kahungunu Ki Te Wairoa. Email jasmine@arotahi.org.nz for access.

Email Jasmine
A history of the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society 1885-1947

Simpson E.P.Y.

Read more
Arotahi – NZBMS – New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society.
Arotahi – NZBMS – New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society.