It's been called the most secularised nation on earth. Yet this is not some far-flung land half a world away, or an inaccessible Islamic country; it's right on our doorstep, just across the Tasman Sea " New Zealand.
This worrying description is one of the reasons that Nick and Kristie Duke, soon to graduate from Moore Theological College, are planning to leave their home shores and become missionaries to our neighbours early next year.
Together with children Annika (4) and Sarah (3) " plus a third expected in November " Nick and Kristie will move to the south island city of Christchurch, where Nick will work with students at the University of Canterbury.
"If you're not going to cross cultures and learn a new language as a missionary, then there's no better place to serve than in New Zealand, since they have considerably less evangelical resources than we do here in Sydney," says Nick.
"The Pope recently singled out Australia as being heavily influenced by secularism and therefore in need of serious attention. New Zealand is certainly further down that track."
Nick was encouraged to consider ministry in New Zealand by his own staff worker at the University of NSW, Mark Santich, who now serves on campus at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch.
In 2003, Nick spent a week working with St John's, Latimer Square in Christchurch as part of a Moore College mission team.
And while he admits that New Zealand's cultural and physical proximity to Australia have encouraged he and his family to go, he admits he has some catching up to do before he can share the Kiwi passion for rugby.
"In Sydney you can remain safely agnostic about football. But New Zealand is more like Melbourne " not supporting a team is a serious social disadvantage!"
Nick says his first priority will be to gather Christian students who are interested in being trained for ministry.
"I'm hoping to encourage students in godliness, equip them for ministry and challenge them take the gospel to the world," he says.
"I'll be hoping to meet with students regularly, informally and off-campus, to get to know each other and open the Scriptures together. I will also be looking to strengthen public Bible teaching ministries on campus.
"One thing that made us keen to go is having experienced Sydney's strengths in this area. The Diocese has a great heritage in challenging university students with the claims of the gospel, in a way that has actually helped and supported parish ministry.
"Our hope and prayer is that the same thing will happen in New Zealand."
Initially, Nick plans to work two days per week in the software development industry " "tentmaking' to help fund the ministry " but is hoping to go full-time on campus in around two years.
Nick and Kristie are hoping that Sydney Anglican parishes will seize the opportunity to support them and help promote the gospel in New Zealand.
"Initially the majority of financial support will come from Australia. However, we see that as seed funding.
“God is growing a base of New Zealand supporters keen to see evangelical university work in their part of the world. We're praying for more individuals and churches to support us as link missionaries, to provide that seed funding and to remember us in their prayers."
For more information or to join their prayer support network, email Nick Duke.
