eNews - 20th February 2026

As we prepare to gather this Sunday, we wanted to share some news regarding a change for our family. After much prayer, reflection, and several weeks of rest, Andy has decided to step down from his role on the City on a Hill staff team. Claire will be remaining in her role as Magnification Pastor, with some adjustments to ensure her ministry continues sustainably.

The lead-up to Christmas was an intense season for us. While we love this church deeply, the pace of the last year - balancing the needs of three congregations alongside our family, along with a number of difficult pastoral and relational challenges - led to a level of exhaustion that made us stop and reassess. We’ve realised that for the sake of our personal health, and the health of our family, we need a more sustainable rhythm.

This weekend, Andy is preaching on John 12:20-26. In this passage, Jesus speaks a challenging but beautiful truth: “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Following Jesus often involves surrendering our own plans to Jesus. For us, this means Andy is stepping back from vocational ministry for now. He’ll be starting part time work as a GP in Lower Hutt in March. This isn't a departure from ministry, but a change in its form. As Jesus says in verse 26, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.” Andy’s desire - and our desire as a family - is simply to follow Jesus and serve him wherever he may lead us.

We aren't going anywhere! We remain fully committed members of City on a Hill. Andy is eager to continue serving as a lay volunteer, particularly within the Hutt congregation and will continue to preach occasionally at all three congregations.

We are so grateful for the Admin Team’s support and the kindness shown to us by the leadership during this transition. We ask for your prayers as we navigate this new chapter for us, and we look forward to seeing how God uses this new season to bring about his purposes in our family and our church.

With much love in Christ,
Andy and Claire.