There have been several new changes in leadership among Central Otago church organisations, including the Salvation Army in Alexandra.

Captains Jonathan and Charlene Whybrow moved from Whangarei to Alexandra with their young family three weeks ago, and are settling into their new roles.

They have replaced captains Logan and Suzanne Bathurst who transferred to Dunedin, after leading the organisation since 1999.

Charlene was originally from Wellington and Jonathan came from England - the couple first worked for the Salvation Army in Taupo in 2020 after two years residential training, before moving onto Whangarei where they were for the past two years.

At a conference of leaders throughout the Pacific, the Salvation Army looked at the different needs in various areas of New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa.

“Part of being a Salvation Army officer is being moved around and being asked to go somewhere is something we know we have to do,” Jonathan said.

But it wasn’t hard selling Alexandra to the couple - they first heard about the small Central Otago town after watching a documentary at their local movie theatre called ‘The Big Bike Film Night.’

A keen road cyclist, Jonathan thought it was a great idea to move south - and the couple agreed it was also the right time for their young family to settle and make roots somewhere.

Goals for the couple include leading the faith community and also their work with Community Ministries overseeing the vegetable gardens down Dunstan Road for food security.

“We are in the learning stage, hearing the stories and meeting people and seeing where everything is at.

“For us it’s always about having a holistic view of life and how we can support people in that,” he said.

Salvation Army administrator and Community Ministries support worker Diane Barbara said the biggest challenge in the community for many families was the overall shortage of what came into a household versus what went out financially.

“It’s just so hard out there and affects mental health and the family environment,” she said.

“There are so many people out there struggling that don’t go for help.”

Other church leadership changes around Central Otago include the Alexandra Elim Church, The Found in Cromwell (formerly Church Untamed) and the Cromwell Presbyterian Church.

Keep an eye out for further profiles in coming weeks.

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