International Congregation Minister
Reverend David Williams
David is a Kiwi, born in the Waikato. His family lived in Whangarei, Wanganui and finally settling in Auckland where he completed his schooling. David is married to Dorothy (Dot) and has 5 adult sons and 10 grandchildren. He lives in Kohimarama, not far from our church property. He enjoys keeping fit playing many sports and is enthusiastic about applying the central truths of the Christian message to contemporary society.
David attended the Bible College of NZ before being accepted into the Presbyterian Ministry. Prior to graduating from Knox Theological College he completed a BA from the Australian National University majoring in Prehistory and Anthropology and a post-graduate BD (Melbourne College of Divinity).
His first parish was St Columba Presbyterian Church where he worked at Youth Pastor and Assistant Minister in team ministry with the Very Reverend Graeme Murray. In 1987 he became Chaplain at Saint Kentigern College. After gaining a Masters in Education he was appointed as the 3rd Headmaster at the College in 1996. From St Kentigern College he crossed the Tasman to take up leadership of Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange, New South Wales. Since then, he has enjoyed a variety of challenges including Chaplaincy at Newington College in Sydney, educational consultancy and ministry within the Uniting Church of Australia. In 2019 he sensed a strong call to St Andrew’s and has partnered Johannes in ministry in our parish since then.
Indonesian Congregation Minister
Reverend Johannes Suwantika
Johannes was born in Indonesia, but at a young age his family moved to Singapore. Most of his primary and secondary schooling was done in Singapore, but the last two years of high school was done in New Zealand. Johannes is married to Decy, also an Indonesian, they have three children who were born in New Zealand.
Johannes did a Bachelor of Commerce and Science in Management Information Systems at the University of Auckland. After graduation, he worked in the computing industry for 14 years doing programming, training, consulting and managing the support/help desk.
In 1997, Johannes started a Bachelor of Divinity through the Bible College of New Zealand (now Laidlaw College). The whole family moved to Dunedin to complete two years of training at the School of Ministry, Knox College to become the first Indonesian Presbyterian Minister to be trained in New Zealand.
Johannes was the sole charge minister of Titirangi Presbyterian Church for 9 years. He then moved to Massey Presbyterian as a half-time minister in a team ministry, and was there for 4 years. Johannes has been involved in the National Church in the following capacities, member of National Assessment Workgroup, a Ministry Development Reviewer, a member of the Ministry Development Review Workgroup, a member of the Council of Assembly. At the Presbytery level, Johannes has been involved with a parish review, convened a Ministry Settlement Board, be an Interim Moderator, and training lay elders to take communion.
Session Clerk
Roger Apperley
Church Secretary
Christine Natan Sugianto
Community Worker
Barry Dixon