Ordination joy for Upper Moutere

Andy Marr was ordained as a Specific Ministry Pastor last month by LCA/NZ Bishop John Henderson at St Paul’s Lutheran Community Church at Upper Moutere in New Zealand.

A local of Upper Moutere in the northern part of NZ’s North Island, Pastor Andy has been serving the St Paul’s community as a layperson licensed for word and sacrament ministry since 2018.

He has been under the guidance of Pastor Richard Vonesh, of the North American Lutheran Church, while preparing to be ordained. Pastor Richard was serving as an interim or locum pastor within the LCNZ.

Lutheran Church of New Zealand Bishop Mark Whitfield said the church was ‘packed’ for the joyous occasion: ‘It was a wonderful day; thank you, God!’