About Us
Our Vision
We believe that all children in The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa deserve to be both seen and heard.
Children have full capacity to receive and communicate the love, mercy and grace of God. It is our privilege to encourage them to voice their experience of the divine in their own unique ways.
Read more about Seen and Heard here.
Our Work
We work to equip our corps and centres across the territory to create opportunities for children to wonder at God and His creation, and to testify of His presence in their lives. You can find more information about training opportunities here.
Additionally, we produce Family Time resources to help parents and caregivers explore faith with their children in their homes. You can check out those resources here.
Our Team
Our Children's Ministries team is spread out over islands and oceans but we’re all here for one reason: kids! Some of us hang out at The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters in Wellington, and the rest of our awesome crew are situated in each of the Divisional/Regional Headquarters’ within New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
The Salvation Army in NZ, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa is made up of five divisions and two regions. In New Zealand, we have Northern Division (upper North Island), Midland Division (middle North Island), Central Division (lower North Island), and Southern Division (South Island). Fiji Division includes all the islands of Fiji, the Tonga Region is all of Tonga, and the Samoa Region covers all of Samoa.
Territorial Children's Mission Department
Debbie Clark
Territorial Children’s Mission Secretary
Bethany Tate
Children's Projects Assistant
Bethany has a background in theology and is passionate about growing sustainable faith in children and young people. Capable of drinking her body weight in tea, she is happiest devouring research about the state of faith in younger generations.
Northern Division (upper North Island)
Sue Ellis
Divisional Children’s Mission Director
Sue is a lovely English lass who takes care of Children’s Ministries in the upper North Island. She is passionable about being FOR our communities and neighbourhoods, and alongside her husband, Rod, she pastors ROC (Royal Oak Church). Sue knows from experience a thing or two about Messy Church!
Midland Division (middle North Island)
Missy Ditchburn
Divisional Children’s Secretary
Missy is passionate and joyful; her energy and excitement are contagious. She is a strong advocate for children and families in The Salvation Army. With a deep love for children’s workers and volunteers, Missy gives amazing support to leaders in her division and across the territory.
Central Division (lower North Island)
Jeannine Serevi
Divisional Children & Youth Secretary
Kate Geddes
Divisional Youth & Children's Mission Director
Kate is a passionate, 'live life to the full' character who is all about young people realising their full potential. She has the fun role of creating engaging events and missional opportunities for children, families and young people to encounter Jesus.
Southern Division (South Island)
David Moody
Divisional Children’s Secretary
David has a passion for family ministry and is an expert in all things 'Orange' strategy. He and his wife, Alison (Divisional Youth Secretary for Southern Division), work side-by-side and love supporting children’s and youth ministry in the South Island.
Fiji Division
Varea Rika
Divisional Youth & Children’s Secretary
Varea says she feels priviledged to take up this joined appointment. And I am so excited and looking forward to work directly with the children in the Fiji Division with their leaders. Vinaka.
Tonga Region
Filipe Saafi
Regional Youth & Children’s Worker
Filipe is a young lad with a passion for children and young people—so much so, he oversees children’s AND youth work in Tonga! He’s good fun to have around and likes a good laugh, and is the trendiest children’s worker in all the land.
Samoa Region
Currently overseen by Samoa Regional team