Our Team

OUR TEAM

Missions Interlink New Zealand is governed by a Council elected by subscribed members of its missions community. As Kaitiaki (guardians) of Missions Interlink, the Council appoints the Executive Officer, and every year an Executive Team is selected by the Council, mostly made up of Council office holders, to work with the Executive Officer as necessary to advance the operational objectives of Missions Interlink.

Together, the Council and Executive Officer (with the office staff) comprise the core team of Missions Interlink. The main objective of Missions Interlink is to facilitate collaborative participation among members in activities that benefit the whole missions community.

EXECUTIVE & OPERATIONAL TEAM

This is the current make up of the Missions Interlink Council’s Executive Team.

Chris Ponniah

Director

In November 2024, Chris Ponniah took on the role of Director of Missions Interlink NZ, following 33 years in pastoral ministry. He brings a deep enthusiasm for mission and disciple-making, having actively participated in training and mobilizing missional practitioners both in New Zealand and internationally.

Ben Poulton

Administrator

Ben’s primary ministry is with International Student Ministries. He and his wife Stephanie spent 15 years with YWAM in the USA, Australia and Nepal, mostly teaching the Bible.

Joseph Bateson

Chairperson

Joseph is the co-Director of WEC NZ, alongside his wife Lois. WEC has been a longtime member of the Missions Interlink Council. Joseph was appointed as Chair in 2020.

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Rebecca De Jong

Vice Chair

Rebecca is a Professional Teaching Fellow in Theology for Laidlaw College. She rejoined the Missions Interlink Council when Laidlaw was voted on in 2022 and became an Executive Team member in 2023.

Jon Horne

Treasurer

Jon is the business manager of Pinehurst School in Albany and has served previously in the NZ Christian aid sector. An individual member of Missions Interlink, Jon brings great accounting and business management expertise to Missions Interlink as Treasurer since 2016.

Johan Linder

Secretary

Johan is the Director of OMF NZ Originally from Sweden, Johan moved to Australia as a boy and grew up in Sydney, while his wife Debbie lived in PNG, NZ and Australia. Johan and Debbie joined OMF in 1993 and worked in Thailand for 14 years, then with the OMF Australia team. They moved to New Zealand in 2022.