"While they were worshipping and fasting, the Spirit said, ‘Set apart… I have called them.’" – Acts 13:2
While visiting St Barnabas in Stoke to ordain Jude Saxon, Bishop Steve encouraged the parish to see themselves as an Antioch-type church—a church that supports new ministries and develops leaders to be sent out. He thanked them for modelling the Diocese values of Family, Adventure, Innovation, Truth, and Hospitality.
Bishop Steve described how each church community has a Spirit-inspired assignment—to set apart leaders for mission, pray for them, and send them out. The congregation was also challenged to consider their individual Spirit-inspired assignment from God—a unique calling that requires a response.
This was an extra special day for Rev. Jude Saxon, who was ordained as a priest. Jude shared a heartfelt thank you to everyone who had supported him in following God’s call to ordained ministry.
In this edition of Kōrero, we sit down with Rev. Jude Saxon to hear more about his journey to ordination—the challenges he faced, the people who encouraged him, and how he continues to live out God’s calling in everyday life.
1. How did you discern God’s call to ordination in the Anglican Church?
I come from a charismatic background, so ordination in the Anglican Church was something I was quite determined to avoid. I figured I was already ordained in my own tradition. Being happy serving within an Anglican context, I wasn’t particularly eager to fully embrace this ancient and, to me, somewhat peculiar tradition.
But God, as always, had other plans. The more time I spent within the Anglican Church, the more I felt a deep pull towards ordained ministry—not as an obligation, but as a way of honouring God’s work in my life. Over time, I came to see it as a natural next step forward, both in my spiritual journey and my ministry to the church and wider community.
2. What challenges have you faced in responding to this calling, and how have you overcome them?
The greatest struggle has been an internal one—self-doubt. I kept wondering, “Why on earth would God, let alone the Church, call someone like me to be a priest?”
But much like Jonah, the harder and faster I tried to run from it, the louder and clearer the call became. And, of course, there was no shortage of nudges (or persistent prodding!) from friends, family, and leaders, all reinforcing what I was trying so hard to ignore.
3. What personal gifts and talents has God developed in you over the last five years?
If I had to name one major area of growth, it would be empathy and compassion. These weren’t exactly natural strengths of mine, nor were they things I had intentionally set out to develop.
But, in classic "Jude" fashion, I had to learn the hard way. The past few years have been filled with personal losses, challenges, and struggles with poor health. Through it all, God has been shaping me—softening my edges, deepening my understanding of others, and teaching me to love people in a way I never had before.
4. What is God calling the Anglican Church in Aotearoa into for the good of our community?
That’s a big question! I definitely wouldn’t presume to speak for the whole province, or even my own diocese.
But in my little corner of the world, I sense God calling us into a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him—one that might look (or, let’s be honest, will look) countercultural.
I see this call wrapped up in community and expressed through empathy, compassion, hospitality, truth, and love. It’s a call to be radically present, embrace the messiness of life, and live out the Gospel in a way that is both deeply rooted and outwardly reaching.
Congratulations, Rev. Jude Saxon, on your ordination—we pray God’s richest blessings over your ministry ahead!
For many people, the first steps into ministry involve serving on church rosters, mission teams, Sunday School, or youth group. People often discover more about their calling as they explore their gifts and talents.
With training and the support of church leadership, some are recognised as called to lay ministry, receiving a Bishop’s license for ministries such as:
Are you sensing a call to ordained ministry or wanting to learn more about the process? Register your interest in our upcoming Ordination Information Evening to explore what it means to be a deacon or priest in the Anglican Church and take the next step in discerning God’s call.
Register your interest here: https://forms.gle/HKCqfozDDttuTN3H9
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
"While they were worshipping and fasting, the Spirit said, ‘Set apart… I have called them.’" – Acts 13:2
While visiting St Barnabas in Stoke to ordain Jude Saxon, Bishop Steve encouraged the parish to see themselves as an Antioch-type church—a church that supports new ministries and develops leaders to be sent out. He thanked them for modelling the Diocese values of Family, Adventure, Innovation, Truth, and Hospitality.
Bishop Steve described how each church community has a Spirit-inspired assignment—to set apart leaders for mission, pray for them, and send them out. The congregation was also challenged to consider their individual Spirit-inspired assignment from God—a unique calling that requires a response.
This was an extra special day for Rev. Jude Saxon, who was ordained as a priest. Jude shared a heartfelt thank you to everyone who had supported him in following God’s call to ordained ministry.
In this edition of Kōrero, we sit down with Rev. Jude Saxon to hear more about his journey to ordination—the challenges he faced, the people who encouraged him, and how he continues to live out God’s calling in everyday life.
1. How did you discern God’s call to ordination in the Anglican Church?
I come from a charismatic background, so ordination in the Anglican Church was something I was quite determined to avoid. I figured I was already ordained in my own tradition. Being happy serving within an Anglican context, I wasn’t particularly eager to fully embrace this ancient and, to me, somewhat peculiar tradition.
But God, as always, had other plans. The more time I spent within the Anglican Church, the more I felt a deep pull towards ordained ministry—not as an obligation, but as a way of honouring God’s work in my life. Over time, I came to see it as a natural next step forward, both in my spiritual journey and my ministry to the church and wider community.
2. What challenges have you faced in responding to this calling, and how have you overcome them?
The greatest struggle has been an internal one—self-doubt. I kept wondering, “Why on earth would God, let alone the Church, call someone like me to be a priest?”
But much like Jonah, the harder and faster I tried to run from it, the louder and clearer the call became. And, of course, there was no shortage of nudges (or persistent prodding!) from friends, family, and leaders, all reinforcing what I was trying so hard to ignore.
3. What personal gifts and talents has God developed in you over the last five years?
If I had to name one major area of growth, it would be empathy and compassion. These weren’t exactly natural strengths of mine, nor were they things I had intentionally set out to develop.
But, in classic "Jude" fashion, I had to learn the hard way. The past few years have been filled with personal losses, challenges, and struggles with poor health. Through it all, God has been shaping me—softening my edges, deepening my understanding of others, and teaching me to love people in a way I never had before.
4. What is God calling the Anglican Church in Aotearoa into for the good of our community?
That’s a big question! I definitely wouldn’t presume to speak for the whole province, or even my own diocese.
But in my little corner of the world, I sense God calling us into a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him—one that might look (or, let’s be honest, will look) countercultural.
I see this call wrapped up in community and expressed through empathy, compassion, hospitality, truth, and love. It’s a call to be radically present, embrace the messiness of life, and live out the Gospel in a way that is both deeply rooted and outwardly reaching.
Congratulations, Rev. Jude Saxon, on your ordination—we pray God’s richest blessings over your ministry ahead!
For many people, the first steps into ministry involve serving on church rosters, mission teams, Sunday School, or youth group. People often discover more about their calling as they explore their gifts and talents.
With training and the support of church leadership, some are recognised as called to lay ministry, receiving a Bishop’s license for ministries such as:
Are you sensing a call to ordained ministry or wanting to learn more about the process? Register your interest in our upcoming Ordination Information Evening to explore what it means to be a deacon or priest in the Anglican Church and take the next step in discerning God’s call.
Register your interest here: https://forms.gle/HKCqfozDDttuTN3H9
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
