If you call the Orewa Community Church (OCC) office, you’ll probably find Carli Hay on the other end of the line. Carli took on the role of Church Administrator earlier this year, which she says was a big change, and a steep learning curve after spending the last 20 years working in the field of Occupational Therapy in the UK and New Zealand. Carli says she took on the role because she is keen to work in the church environment, to align more with the new direction God is leading her in.
Carli writes, “Leaving a health profession after investing so many years in it, and with it becoming a part of your very identity, was difficult—even though I knew within myself that I was ready to move on. But it all happened in God’s timing, and looking back it is very encouraging to see that he has a plan.”
Carli Hay at the CCCNZ Auckland Regional Summit earlier this year.
Before becoming part of the team at OCC, Carli served in various areas such as worship, helping to facilitate Alpha courses, and leading a ladies' small group. She always had an interest in a deeper consideration of Scripture and Christian doctrine, and so in 2022 decided to engage in some formal theological study.
Carli is studying part-time for a Graduate Diploma in Theology at Laidlaw College and is really enjoying the papers taken so far. She has appreciated the opportunity to do some Biblical papers, theological papers, and a few focused on formation and pastoral care. She says she is already using some of the learnings as she engages in the various ministries at OCC.
Youth Pastor at OCC Marina Shannon says,
“We have been blessed by Carli’s theological knowledge and passion. Especially by her wisdom when it comes to engaging in some of today’s complex conversations around gender and sexuality. Carli has availed herself to us as a resource and has been an incredible wealth of information for us. Her willingness to learn and engage in such conversations is a real testament to her character and passion to see the church equipped to make disciples”.
Carli’s fees have been supported by a JH Baldwin Scholarship kindly provided by Lichfield Lands.
If you are serving in a CCCNZ Open Brethren heritage church and would like to talk more about undertaking theological study at any level take a look at the CCCNZ website and chat to Liz Hodge, CCCNZ Scholarships Enabler.
