Ruapehu's Apostolic minister

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 423, 11 February 1992, Page 7

Ruapehu's Apostolic minister

The Ruapehu region's new Apostolic minister, Johrt Mason, is a long way from his roots in the horticultural industry. The Feilding man who worked for a time as a

tobacco buyer in Greece, and in England specialising in rose hybridisation, started his career in a family business growing rose, dahlia and fuschia varieties. He worked for a time

as a horticultural inspector in Nelson then began manufacturing handcrafted furniture, the business eventually being transferred to Feilding. John and his wife Jan became Christians in 1978 while in Feilding, serving in the Apostolic Church in whatever way needed. For John this included leading an evangelism team, home group studies, teaching Bible School classes and preaching. Jan took an active role in teaching Children's Church, leading ladies' bible study and

supporting John, while at the same time being an effective mother and home-maker plus parttime nursing and Bible-In-School teaching. During this time John completed a three-year Ministry Training Programme through the Te Nikau Bible Training Centre in Paraparaumu, while Jan also completed a number of correspondence courses through the same. John spent two years at the Bible College of New Zealand in Auckland followed by two year's practical experience while in Waiuku where he worked in maintenance.