It’s a pulpit crafted from warm, richly grained timber and decorated with detailed Haitian carvings—vines, flourishes, and meaningful historical and sacred symbols—adding artistry and reverence.

To a visitor, it is a fine piece of church furniture that might seem archaic to the modern person. To the OBC congregation, however, it is a vessel of a “second life.”

This lectern began its story not in a carpenter’s workshop for the church, but as a bed headboard in Cap-Haïtien. Its journey from a place of physical rest to a platform for spiritual proclamation testifies to a legacy that spans oceans and decades.

A Pulpit Born from a Headboard

The sacred and the mundane collided when a music stand—tasked with holding a laptop during services—threatened to give way, prompting the church leadership to seek something more substantial.

The solution arrived in the form of a gift left by Robyn Couper, a beloved missionary nurse. After her passing, the church offered her personal headboard, which initially sat quietly in the church’s storeroom.

Bevan’s vision and the skilled hands of craftsmen Peter and Owen revealed the pulpit hidden within the furniture. The transformation was like architectural surgery. The wood was not a flat, cooperative canvas; the Caribbean climate and time had warped it.

Over six days of meticulous labour, Owen split and reshaped the timber, carefully navigating the delicate carvings to preserve the integrity of the original Haitian artistry.

This physical transformation carries profound symbolic significance. A headboard frames the vulnerability of sleep and the restoration of rest.

By reimagining it as a pulpit, the church has transformed an object associated with the night’s silence into a space where the “Word” can be spoken aloud.

The 33-Year Legacy of Robyn Couper

The wood’s story is inseparable from Robyn Couper’s. A nurse trained in Oamaru, Robyn’s life came full circle within the walls of the Oamaru Baptist Church—the very place where she was once baptised.

From this local foundation, she was called to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti’s second-largest city, where she served for thirty-three years.

Robyn was more than a nurse; she was a bridge. When the catastrophic earthquake of 2010 struck, she became the essential conduit for relief through the organisation Hearts and Hands for Haiti. Her fluency in Creole and her decades of deep-rooted relationships allowed aid to flow where it was needed most.

During the pulpit’s dedication, Peter read her favourite passage from her personal Bible: Psalm 139—a text that served as the North Star for her vocation.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well… Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

The church describes this pulpit as a “gift from her legacy,” a permanent memorial to a woman who dedicated her life to help a nation thousands of miles from her Waitaki home.

The Language of Haitian Craftsmanship

The carvings on the pulpit are not merely aesthetic flourishes; they are a “visual prayer” the Haitian people she served gifted to Robyn. Gifting a hand-carved wooden bed headboard to a missionary in Haiti is a profound gesture of extreme honour, deep hospitality, and community gratitude.

Because fine woodcarving is a traditional and cherished art form in Haiti, giving a functional piece of furniture for rest symbolises wishing the missionary comfort, safety, and a permanent place in the community’s heart.

The Christian Cross: Positioned at the centre and carved from a lighter-coloured wood, the cross represents the resurrected Jesus Christ, the Great Commission, the missionary’s calling, and the shared bond of faith that transcends borders.

The Fleur-de-lis: In this sacred context, the three petals symbolise the Holy Trinity and spiritual purity—a tribute to Robyn’s work, offered to God.

Leaves and Plant Life: Textured carvings of foliage flank the fleur-de-lis. In Haitian art, these represent fertility and growth. They serve as a permanent blessing, expressing the hope that the missionary’s spiritual labour would “bear much fruit” in the community.

Diamond Lattice and Scrolls: The intricate geometric patterns at the top signify high-status craftsmanship. These details indicate that the anonymous Haitian carvers poured their “finest effort” into the piece as a mark of deep respect for the woman who lived among them and carried out the Oamaru Baptist’s and New Zealand churches’ mission work.

The Mystery and Struggle of the Material

The pulpit has a final layer of mystery: the wood itself. While Peter and others in the church thought it was teak, the timber remains an unidentified species native to Haiti.

Its beauty is matched only by its resistance; the “six days of hard work” required to reshape it were a battle against the aged material’s warping and stubbornness.

During the dedication, this struggle with the timber took on a spiritual metaphor. The pastor and congregation reflected on the concept of the “Master Carver.”

Just as Owen and Peter struggled with the warped, difficult wood to reveal its new purpose, the Almighty Higher Power often searches for, moulds, and transforms the human spirit.

The Master Carver does not discard the warped material; He reshapes it. The struggle to align the panels mirrors the process of being “fearfully and wonderfully made”—a realisation that our flaws and the “warps” of our history are not obstacles to grace, but the very things that the Carver uses to create a masterpiece of service.

A Heritage Handed Down

Robyn Couper’s headboard—originally a gift of honour and physical rest crafted by skilled Haitian carvers—spent decades in Cap-Haïtien witnessing a missionary’s quiet service.

Years later, when Owen and Peter’s patient hands laboured for six days over its warped, stubborn wood, they refashioned it into a sacred pulpit for the congregation where Robyn began her Christian formation. It leaves us with a hauntingly beautiful question: What heritage are you holding in your hands?

In 2 Corinthians 4:7, the Apostle Paul exhorts us, “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from.” God’s grace rarely depends on flawless, pristine materials; instead, He redeems what is worn, imperfect, or forgotten.

Just as time that once provided physical rest was transformed into a stand for spiritual proclamation, the fragile or unexpected pieces of our past can be remade for divine purposes.

Yes, like a piece of a warped old headboard, a sacred second life may be waiting to be carved from the history you have inherited, if only you ask God for the vision to see it and, in humility, submit to His handiwork.

When we yield our stories to God, the legacy handed down to us does not remain static; it becomes a living platform from which His faithfulness continues to speak.

It is our hope and prayer that each time we see the new church pulpit, we are reminded of God’s mission, His renewing spirit, and the repurposing of our lives for His glory and honour.

To God be all the glory!

This article is based on Peter Rodwell’s introductory speech and Jonan Castillon’s reflections and prayer during the dedication of the newly made mission heritage pulpit on 16 August 2026. This post was composed with the help of Google Gemini, with the author completing final fact-checking and writing independently.

August marks the foundation month for Oamaru Baptist Church.

Recognising local church history is vital for the church’s existence and ongoing life.

Hebrews 13:7 states, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

Many in the church will forget the 5Ws (What, When, Where, Who, and Why) and 2Hs (How, How much) if the local church history celebration is neglected.

And because they have forgotten the 5Ws and 2Hs of their local church, many would “abandon ship” when the worst crises come. Some of the remaining few will resolve to dissolve the local church, sell the property, and advise the remaining members to join other churches in town.

However, those who are aware of the 5Ws and 2Hs of the local church they are joining will choose to stay and endeavour mightily to continue. They are resolved to await the disposition of God’s Mighty Hand, the rightful owner of the church.

I’ve noticed that many pastors and ministry leaders passionately refer to God’s work as “my” ministry and “my” church, expressing a heartfelt ownership and strong dedication to the mission they serve within the community.

I acknowledge that there have been a few instances when I was in a hurry and made the same mistake of using “my” or “our” in referring to the ministry responsibilities that I have been entrusted with.

I would quickly apologise (if I still have the chance) and clarify that it wasn’t “my” or “mine,” but rather the church I serve and the ministry tasks assigned to me by His church.

Using the proper pronoun reinforces my belief: in my heart and mind, we are merely stewards in His vineyard and servants in His kingdom. Therefore, we are accountable to the one true Master and Owner, the Almighty God.

When people understand that the church and its ministries belong to Him, rather than to the pastor, elders, or ministry leaders, they will take part in that stewardship and accountability.

Three years ago, Oamaru Baptist Church faced a serious crisis. Many members had left for various reasons. Some of those who remained suggested dissolving the local church and selling the property.

The majority of the few remaining church members are dedicated to continuing until “God lifts us from this church,” which is their firm commitment. Church attendance and membership have increased in the last three years.

From fewer than ten Sunday-goers in 2022, Oamaru Baptist Church welcomes 55 to 60 people every Sunday in 2025.

OBC elected its local church elders in June, joining Rachel Murray and the pastor on the governance team. We are currently in a transitional phase during which the full governance responsibilities will be transferred to the local church when the time is right.

We have started an evening service in July. There is an ongoing discipleship course that aims to train members to plant and lead a church. The church continues to grow.

On Oamaru Baptist Church’s 142nd anniversary, this 13 August 2025, we are focusing on the theme, “Passionate Commitment”, to ignite the hearts of those who are attending the church to participate in the various ministries.

When we view the local church as a precious inheritance passed down from the faith of our founders, we become acutely aware of its essential aspects—who, what, when, where, why, how, and how much—and recognise that we are merely the current stewards of God’s work.

As accountable caretakers to the Almighty Owner, we will cherish this responsibility deeply for as long as we live.

But I know Whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

“I Know Whom I Have Believed” Hymn By Daniel Whittle

Let us keep praying for His church to grow in wisdom, stature, and favour with God and men. To God be the glory.

Oamaru Baptist Church is happy to present “To Understand and Be Understood—A Seminar on Assertiveness” on Sunday, 15 June 2025, at 2:00 PM in the OBC auditorium.

Our guest resource is Dr. Val Gonzales, from Mesquite, Texas.

Our goal in this seminar is to delve into the essential values and principles that inspire the creation of a truly supportive and welcoming community that celebrates the richness of diversity, irrespective of race or colour.

Val Gonzales will be our guest speaker during the worship service on June 15 at 10:00 AM. He will preach on the theme of “Church and Mental Wellness.”

Know more about the speaker

Dr. Val Gonzales, Th.D., M.Div., MAC, LPC-LCDC (Retired), is an ordained minister who held a Licensure in Professional Counselling with the state of Texas, USA, Department of State Health and Human Services since 2005 until his formal retirement in 2022. His specialty includes depression, addiction, and co-occurring disorders.

He holds two undergraduate degrees (Bachelor of Arts in Economics and English and Bachelor of Science in Commerce) from Central Philippine University (CPU), where he received the Most Outstanding Student Award.

CPU has also awarded him the 2005 Most Distinguished Centralian Award in Pastoral Counselling.

Val took further studies from the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.); Asia Baptist Graduate Theological Seminary & The School of Psychology of Religion, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky (Th.D. in Practical Theology with major in Pastoral Care and Counseling); Eastfield College; and Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, Texas (MAC).

His varied work experiences include the following: church minister, college and seminary professor, personnel manager, program director for psychiatry clinical research, managed-care triage manager, and family, group, and individual therapist. He has over 35 years of pastoral experience and over 30 years of teaching experience.

As a professional educator, Dr. Gonzales has served as adjunct faculty in the Department of Social Sciences and Human Services at Eastfield College in Mesquite, Texas (2007-2014). His latest teaching experience was as Dean and Lecturer of the School of Counselling at Singapore Bible College (2014-2020).

Dr. Gonzales wrote Journey of Hope, An Addiction Recovery Manual for Groups, Armour Publishing, Singapore, March 2017 and Addiction: An Integrative Reflection, Palmetto Publishing, USA, April 2024.

Dr. Gonzales is happily married to Chelly Molinos Gonzales. They are joyful parents to Philippe Eirenaeus (married to Fee Patterson, McKinney, Texas) and Tina Rachel (married to Alexander Halitsa of Hamburg, Germany). They have a grandchild, Kingsley Cole Patterson Gonzales, who is almost two years old.  

This seminar is open to all church members and the community. Please plan to attend and invite others.

The “CareyLocal” is Carey Baptist College’s brand new initiative to build the Biblical foundations for church volunteers, ministry and mission leaders, and anyone wanting to grow in their discipleship.

Participants learn from Carey Baptist College lecturers in real-time online evening classes with a cohort from a church or organisation. All learning is done from the church or organisation site, from someone’s home, or somewhere else in the community, wherever the cohort is located in Aotearoa New Zealand. The two papers on offer are Mission of God, 7-9 pm on Tuesdays, and Introduction to New Testament, 7-9 pm on Wednesdays, starting 18/19 July.

We have a gift for you! If you can gather a cohort of 10 students, the course is free! With each course being worth $787 per person, that is an incredible deal! CareyLocal courses are to be taken for credit, with the completion of assignments required, as part of an NZQA qualification.

Check here for Further information for churches/organisations

How to register your cohort(s)

To get your cohort formally enrolled at Carey, we require a completed Cohort Registration Form to be submitted no later than 9 June 2023. Please complete one form per cohort (i.e. if you have cohorts participating in Mission of God and Introduction to New Testament, you must complete two Cohort Registration Forms).

Late enrolments will be considered, and we will work to see what alternatives are available if you are unable to reach the minimum of 10 credit students.

Please submit your form in by the due date so we can support you and the participants through the formal application/enrolment process.

If you need to make changes or additions to the list after you have submitted it, please email CareyLocal.

How to enrol your participants

Once we receive your completed Cohort Registration Form, we will provide you with clear instructions for your participants to apply and enrol through the standard Carey application portal formally.

Participants will need to meet the requirements for study at this level and provide the following:

• Verified (e.g. by JP, lawyer, pastor) evidence of Citizenship/Residency (e.g. passport)
• Photo for student ID in .jpg format
• Personal statement of approximately 500 words that describes your life and spiritual history, including:
  • How and when you come to faith in Christ
  • How do you maintain and develop your Christian life
  • Significant experiences that have shaped you
  • Why do you want to study at Carey

If you are under 20 years of age, a verified copy of your academic (e.g. NCEA) transcript or equivalent

The Parable of the Sunflowers and the Tourist

Driving home from Oamaru one Sunday afternoon, we were approaching the vast sunflower field at the southern end of Timaru. From a distance, we saw a woman on the side road looking at the sunflower field.

As we drew nearer, we noticed she was walking back and forth, trying to find a path through the wire fence.

We also saw that the sunflowers had turned their back on the highway and were facing the setting sun.

As we passed, we figured out the tourist was trying to get a selfie with the flowers.

She needs to go over the fence and into the middle of the field to get a photo with the sunflowers facing the camera. We laughed at the thought that the sunflowers might not want their picture taken.

The sunflower is an excellent metaphor for believers who follow Jesus Christ. Yes, Christians are “Son-followers.”

However, some Christians have become so focused and transfixed on following the first part of Jesus Christ’s greatest commandment – to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind but neglect doing the second part, which is to love your neighbour as yourself.

“Son-followers” are not like rigid sunflowers with no flexibility to turn around and cater to the tourist’s (pilgrim) needs.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

As we praise and worship Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Light, let us turn around and look out for pilgrims we need to rescue, save, and love as we love ourselves.

Jonan

Exciting Children’s Ministry Curriculum for OBC

This week we bought our Sunday school curriculum subscription for kids and students from Lifeway. It’s called “The Gospel Project”.

“The Gospel Project” is a Christ-centered, chronological Bible study curriculum for kids, students, and adults. It follows a proven plan to nurture disciples from preschoolers to senior adults with Christ-centered Bible study resources.

Please invite kids to join our Sunday school. Let us pray for Erin and her team as they implement “The Gospel Project.”

Weekly Reminders

• Prayer Meeting – Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM
• Music Jam – Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM

How you can participate in the Lord’s work at OBC

OBC is a participatory church. Please see the rostering sheet on the side table in the dining area and write your name on any task you select.

If you’re unfamiliar with the technical tasks, we can orient or teach you how to operate the sound desk and computer. Please ask Bevan.

Preparing the Lord’s Supper elements is very easy. Val can orient you.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10).

Sunday afternoon TEE Session

On Sunday, 19 February 2022, at 1:30 PM, we will hold our first TEE class for 2023 at the Dining Hall. Tomorrow’s session is an introduction and orientation to the TEE course. You are all invited.

TEE stands for Theological Education by Extension. It is an effective discipleship program to teach and equip all God’s people to be effective ambassadors for Jesus, society changers, and missionaries in the world, in the neighbourhood and the all-important world of work.

Group Leaders’ Training – 31 March to 1 April

We will host a Group Leaders’ Training from 31 March (7:00-9:00 PM) to 1 April (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM). This is training on facilitating a Bible study group using the TEE resources.

There is a registration fee of $50.00 per participant to cover materials (Bible materials and leaders’ guide) and lunch. Hopevale Trust is sponsoring the travel expenses of our resource persons.

The training is open to interested participants from other Christian churches in Oamaru and nearby towns.

Read about the resource persons from TEE Aotearoa who will come and conduct the training.

Ann Borquist

Rev. Dr Ann Borquist serves with Arotahi/NZBMS, TEE Aotearoa and International Ministries, ABCUSA.  

She works alongside partner Baptist conventions in Asia-Pacific and worldwide in theological education, pastoral care, holistic development, servant leadership, cross-cultural mission training, and refugee work.  

She lives with her family in Wellington. 

Lewis Varley

Lewis Varley is from the UK, has lived in NZ for six years, and previously worked as a missionary in Bangladesh for 17 years. 

He has been involved in TEE for many years and is passionate about seeing God’s people equipped for service and strengthened in their faith. 

He is a lecturer at Eastwest College of Intercultural Studies in Gordonton, Hamilton.

Giving

Thank you very much for your continued support for the ministries with which the Lord God has entrusted us. Your generosity means a lot for the development and progress of His work.

If you would like to set up an automatic payment for regular giving or to make a one-off donation via internet banking, the Oamaru Baptist Church account number is (ANZ) 06-0941-0015036-00.

May the Lord God bless you and keep you.

On the last 9 July working bee, we worked on the inside. This time, we cleaned the church’s surroundings.

Our workers started early. Praise the Lord for the beautiful weather He gave us.

Ray and Bill’s water blasting the church’s walls restored the bricks to their original colour.

Bevan trimmed the trees and bushes, giving much clearing for the sun’s rays on our lawn. You should have seen the packs of cuttings on his trailer.

Tina started weeding the flower patches outside the kitchen and the Sunday school rooms area and proceeded to clear the green area bordering our parking lot fences.

When Jonan arrived at 10:00 AM, the moss and algae busters were fully engaged. So, he joined Tina, clearing the flower patches.

Later, he moved to the back end of the church because Bevan’s chainsaw and Bill’s water blaster generator were rocking a duet. The “music” was too much, he said.

Mic and Nolan came on their bikes. They took the challenge to dig out the box thorn and its root network growing at the side of our building. They did an excellent job at it.

Later, Nolan got a water-blasting apprenticeship with Bill.

Thank you, Mary, for the scones with jam and cream you brought for our coffee break. The working bees also enjoyed the savoury muffins that Diane, Sheryl, and her kids brought later.

Ray saw that the drainage holes along the church driveway were blocked. Bevan opened the drainage grills and shovelled out the silt and other deposits.

It was a challenging but enjoyable day for our working bee team.

We thank the Good Lord for a productive and safe day for all who came. Thank you to those who came and contributed their efforts, labour, food, and equipment. Thank you to those who prayed.

The working bee day was a success. To God be the glory!