Connect 2025 Workshops
There are 24 workshops planned for Connect 2025. See the details below
What It Means to Be Pasefika Presbyterian: Masele Bakulich-Tufeao
Kia Ora, Talofa, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Kia Orana, Malo E lelei, Malo Ni, Bula, Mauri, Bok & warm Pacific Greetings. Masele Bakulich-Tufeao the Northern Presbytery Youth Co-ordinator & Intercultural Facilitator. Masele is a member of Newton PIPC, Auckland, Married to the very handsome Logo Tufeao and is proud to be Presbyterian.
Come Join My Workshop on “What It Means to Be Pasefika Presbyterian”: Since the early 1950s, Pasefika communities have been an integral part of our Presbyterian Church. As the first denomination to establish a specific Pasefika church, we have a rich history that continues to shape our identity and mission. In 2024, we invite you to explore what it means to be a Pacific Islander in the Presbyterian Church today.
Join us for a comprehensive workshop where we delve into the history, facts, and theology of our journey. Discover the unique blend of Pacific and Western cultures within our church and learn how this fusion enriches our faith and community. This workshop offers an opportunity to understand our past, celebrate our present, and envision our future as Pasefika Presbyterians. Come and be part of this enlightening, interactive and inspiring experience.
Young Adults
Youth Ministry
Emerging Leaders
The Big Six- Key ministry essentials for churches to help young people flourish in faith: Karo Wilson
Our hope is to see young people flourishing and growing in their faith, and for our churches to be communities that encourage our Tamariki and Rangatahi in faith that lasts a lifetime. In this workshop, we will look at 6 key ministry essentials that play a major part in discipling young people, and creating a faith community that will flourish and grow together.
Karo is the Director of Presbyterian Children and Families Ministry. She has a passion for seeing young people engage in God’s Big Story, for families to grow in faith together, and encouraging faith communities to recognise the value and contribution of our Tamariki and Rangatahi. Karo also works for Weston Community Church, in the beautiful Waitaki region, where her focus is on community-based children’s ministry.
Youth Ministry
Barefoot theology - Terry Pouono
At its most basic level theology is simply talking or reasoning about God, so in one sense every Christian is a theologian! Theology is based on our words and ideas about God as we respond to His Word within the context of our time and place. In this barefoot guide to theology we will dig into the Scriptures and use some basic tools to help us gain a deeper understanding of God’s revelation in the story of the Bible.
Terry is a Pacific lecturer in the Theology Programme at the University of Otago. Terry loves teaching theology and having ‘talanoa’ (conversations) with his students. This dialogical approach to learning, he believes, enriches theological education by integrating theory and practice. At Otago, he will be teaching Pacific courses - Moana Pasifika Theology, Pastoral Theology: Pacific Perspectives, and History of Pacific Christianity. Additionally, he supervises Pacific students undertaking thesis writing at the postgraduate level.
Terry was raised in the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa, but his family has been attending the Presbyterian Church in recent years.
Outside of his lecturing responsibilities, Terry enjoys getting involved in community projects. He is a member of the Board of Trustees at Roscommon School and South Auckland Middle School and has volunteered for Cancer Society projects.
Young Adults
Youth Ministry
Emerging Leaders
Reconnecting the Missing Generation: A Framework for Young Adult Ministry
Logo Tufeao
In 2019, my wife and I felt led to start a young adults group TWAY - to address the growing absence of the 20-35 age group in churches. Originally formed as a home group for friends who had drifted away from traditional church settings, this ministry flourished by being intentionally inclusive and focused on the unique needs of this demographic. Join us to discover the key strategies behind its success and gain valuable insights and practical tips for creating an impactful young adults ministry. Whether you're looking to start a new group or strengthen an existing one, this workshop will provide you with a framework to engage and inspire the missing generation in your community.
Logo Tufeao, a current ministry PCANZ ordinand, elder, and Sunday school teacher from Newton PIPC, who will share his experiences in young adults ministry.
Youth Ministry
Emerging Leaders
Reading the Bible for all its Worth 1: For the Challenges of Today
Joey Millington - Laidlaw College
The world is a challenging place, yet full of God and hope. Learn about the biblical story and why people are rediscovering its relevance and importance for not only their lives, but for society and the world. This breakout session explores how and why the Bible is so important for today.
Joey is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Aotearoa-New Zealand (2018) and presently pastors at East City Wesleyan Church and lectures at Laidlaw College as the Internship Coordinator. He is passionate about preaching, church strategy, and evangelism. He is married to Lauren, and they have one daughter. Joey loves to stay active through playing ice hockey and running regularly. He also hosts a podcast called “Lunch on The Way” where he explores questions of faith, cultural philosophy, ministry, and more with Graeme Flett and Jonathan Hoskin.
Youth Ministry
Emerging Leaders
Called for a Purpose: Discerning God’s Call
Fiona Fey & Martin Fey
God has a special vocation for each of us, no matter where we are in life. Sometimes there's a small thought early in our lives to the call to Ministry, and at other times it comes as a surprise. Whether you're drawn to church ministry or called to serve in a unique way, every individual—regardless of age or ability—has something valuable to offer to the body of Christ. In this workshop, Martin and Fiona will share their personal journeys of answering God's call to Ministry. Martin, a Presbyterian Minister, will offer insight from his perspective, while Fiona will briefly describe her calling to Youth Ministry, and then expand into some of what she learnt in her Master of Theology thesis and explore the power of belonging to the body of Christ.
Fiona's journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to service, faith, and inclusion. Beginning her career as a Disability Support Worker, she developed a passion for advocating for others, which led her to Youth Ministry, where she served for eight years. Fiona now works as the Student Support Manager at Laidlaw College, drawing on her diverse experiences to support students. In 2020, she completed her Master of Theology, with a thesis focused on the church’s role in creating a place of belonging for people with disabilities—an area she remains passionate about.
Martin felt a call to Ministry as a young man, but was encouraged to pursue other paths. He worked first as a teacher, and then as a librarian in both the public sector and at a Theological College. It was then that the call to Ministry became evident. Martin is now a Minister in the PCANZ for over 15 years. Martin is married to Fiona and has two young adult children.
Youth Ministry
Emerging Leaders
Making Space for Neurodiverse Rangatahi Kyle Hastelow
Want to make your youth ministry more welcoming and accessible for all young people? This workshop will equip you with practical strategies to support neurodivergent youth, helping them feel valued and engaged. Learn how to create an inclusive environment, adapt activities to different needs, and foster a sense of belonging for every young person in your group. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to refine your approach, you'll leave with ready-to-use ideas and resources to make a lasting impact.
Kyle Hastelow is the Associate Youth Enabler for Presbytery Central and has been involved in youth ministry for over two decades. Passionate about creating spaces where all young people feel welcome and included, he works alongside youth leaders to make ministries more accessible and engaging. His journey is also personal—both of his children have been diagnosed as neurodivergent, and he and his wife suspect they are too. This lived experience fuels his commitment to ensuring every young person has a place to belong, grow, and thrive.
Young Adults
Youth Ministry
Emerging Leaders
Faith, Justice and Cultural Identity in Aotearoa New Zealand
Sam Carpenter
Faith, Justice and Cultural Identity in Aotearoa New Zealand
Sam Carpenter teaches into Laidlaw’s Church History courses with a specialist focus on New Zealand religious and political history. He leads Te Rongopai ki AotearoaProject at Laidlaw that is exploring the multidimensional relationships of Christianity and Māori society. Sam was raised in Pukekohe, in the rohe of Waikato-Tainui, where his Cornish ancestors settled in the 1860s prior to the Waikato war: ko Waikato te awa, ko Pukekohe te maunga, ko Bombay te waka. He often identifies as Ngāti Pākehā or Ngāi te Tiriti (those here by right of the Treaty of Waitangi). Sam previously worked as a lawyer before shifting to history and working for over a decade in the Wellington Treaty sector including for the Waitangi Tribunal, the Office of Treaty Settlements (senior historian) and the Crown Law Office (consultant historian). In 2021 he was awarded his PhD, which explored early New Zealand political thought. He is a founding trustee of Karuwhā Trust. His research page is nzhistorian.com. He also writes public interest pieces and provides media commentary on the Treaty of Waitangi and New Zealand historical subjects.
Young Adults
Youth Ministry
Emerging Leaders
Reading the Bible for all its Worth 2: A Deep Dive into the Parables for Today.
Phillip Porter
Phillip Porter lectures in New Testament Studies, within the School of Theology, teaching across the full range of New Testament literature. Phillip was a Teaching Fellow in New Testament at the University of Otago (2023-2024). He brings extensive pastoral practice to the role, together with missionary experience in Vietnam. Phillip studied New Testment (undergraduate and post-graduate), at the University of Otago, completing a PhD in the parables of Jesus under the supervision of Prof Paul Trebilco (University of Otago) and Prof Klyne Snodgrass (Northpark Seminary, Chicago).
