Hi, Im Ben Taylor, Youth Ministry Leader here at Napier Baptist Church.
My story begins similarly to many kids who grow up in Christian families. On the outside, I was all that a Christian kid was supposed to be (polite, well-mannered etc.). But take a look under the thin pharisaic veil and you would see the usual sinful mix of pride, self-righteousness, self-love, greed, lust, anger etc. In short, I was a sinner just as much in need of God's saving grace as anyone else. In His great mercy, God saved me at the age of 7 and I was baptised at 17.
Things started to change around that time. I got involved with a Christian organization called ‘Wai Ora’, which worked with at risk youth. I sensed a call to go to Bible College where I spent three years doing a Bachelor of Ministries degree (2001-2003), deepening my relationship with God and having the course of my life slowly refined. During that time God gave me a greater desire to be involved in teaching His Word.
After finishing Bible College, I joined Darren Green (missionary from my church) in Fiji for six months of teaching and preaching. After returning home from Fiji, I began itinerant preaching and was feeling more strongly than ever before a call to pastoral ministry, which was confirmed by my pastor (this has been confirmed a number of times since). Providence led me to spend just over a year in South Korea teaching English.
Upon my return to New Zealand, I began an internship at my church targeted towards Pastoral ministry. This involved preaching, teaching youth and young adults, and one-on-one discipleship.
After that I spent a further four months in Fiji with Darren, teaching Bible in School classes, home groups, youth groups, prayer meetings and preaching. Then I moved to Hamilton in September 2008 where I started a job teaching English as a second language, saving up for my upcoming marriage to Rebekah and waiting on God's continued leading.
In October 2009 God lead me to a pastoral position at Morrinsville Bible Church where I enjoyed serving Him and His people with my wife for almost two years. As a sole Pastor role I was exposed to the many facets of pastoral ministry, including expanding the youth ministry within the church. It was through this experience that God opened my eyes to the importance of Biblical counseling. So since then I have been doing a Masters of Biblical Counseling degree through Birmingham Theological Seminary.
After a few short moves around the country, Rebekah and I settled in Napier, where I have become the Youth Ministry Leader at Napier Baptist.
