A New Chapter for Golden Bay: Rev. Mark Johnson Inducted as Vicar

It was an induction service like no other.

A parishioner wearing a pirate hat. A preacher assisted by a parrot. And a famous fruit punch to help everyone cool off afterward. But would we expect anything less from Golden Bay?

The parish and wider community turned out in full force to welcome Rev. Mark Johnson and his whānau as the long-awaited new Vicar for Mōhua. The Church of the Epiphany in Tākaka was sweltering from the blazing afternoon sun and the packed pews, overflowing with an eclectic crowd gathered to support Mark, Kirsty, Micah, Lukas, and Rachel in their new ministry.

Many had travelled from Mark’s previous church in Wellington, St. Thomas’ Newtown, and others came from Christchurch to bless the Johnsons in this exciting new season of ministry. One family even made the journey from Petone in a 9.5-tonne house bus—and apparently, the descent down Tākaka Hill required some significant prayer and faith.

Since 2019, Mark and Kirsty have been part of the Wheels team—a travelling Jesus community striving to be a credible witness for Christ among the new-age hippie scene at festivals and in towns across Aotearoa. Naturally, Golden Bay has been a key place where they’ve spent much of their time, so stepping into the role of Vicar felt like the perfect fit.

“It was such a blessing to represent St. Tom’s at Mark’s induction service,” says Noah Schneider, who travelled from Wellington. “As old friends of Mark and Kirsty, we are encouraged to know they are in very safe and loving hands here in Golden Bay. We’re excited for the work God is doing in this community and look forward to what is to come!”

The induction service was a beautiful mix of faithful parishioners, members of the Wheels Ministry team from afar, local hippies who have come to know Jesus through Mark and Kirsty’s ministry, kids and babies everywhere, and colourful Golden Bay characters—some of whom would not typically find themselves in a church, yet felt compelled to be there to welcome the Johnsons.

“Kirsty and I were overwhelmed by the joyful welcome we received from the Golden Bay community at our commissioning service last Sunday,” shares Mark. “As we looked out at all the shiny faces, we were amazed at the goodness of God in calling us here. We continue to marvel at the beautiful way Jesus invites us all to His banqueting table.”

I had the privilege of preaching that day, bringing a message on the parable of the Mustard Seed. “Jesus’ ultimate proof that the mustard tree was flourishing was when the birds of the air found shelter in its branches.”

Turns out, the Lord has a sense of humour.

Unbeknownst to me, one attendee had brought along her pet parrot, Terry—a ringneck parakeet. Right in the middle of the sermon, she suddenly felt prompted (and was encouraged by the Bishop, no less) to place Terry on my shoulder from a side door mid-sermon. That was certainly a first for me!

So there I was, finishing my sermon with Terry perched on my shoulder, nodding away in agreement. It actually worked perfectly as a living metaphor for what I was saying: “Flourishing actually looks like this place becoming a community that encourages and welcomes the colourful and wandering, the weird and wacky, the chickpea-loving hippies and the mutton-loving farmers, all the people of Golden Bay—to perch in your branches, seek refuge among this community, and flourish as followers of Jesus.”

Judging from his enthusiastic head movements, Terry seemed to agree.

“God has a habit of working in unexpected ways,” I reminded everyone. “So if you don’t like the thought of being surprised and feeling uncomfortable, I’m afraid you may be following the wrong God!”

“The induction service was full of depth and meaning, leaving liturgy-loving Anglicans satisfied and non-Anglicans eager for the richness of the language and theology,” reflected Vicar’s Warden, Brandon Sparrow afterward. “It is, after all, a serious business—a public commitment by Mark to preach and live the gospel of Jesus Christ, followed by a declaration from the congregation and community to support Mark’s ministry. So, it’s a partnership.”

Brandon admits there is some “nervous excitement” around Mark’s arrival, as he is quite different from Golden Bay’s previous vicars. “But we asked and prayed for an evangelist, and that’s what we got. So there’s excitement about how, under Mark’s leadership, and with his experience, we can reach the Golden Bay community for Christ.”

If this induction service is anything to go by, I’d say that future in Golden Bay is going to be full of surprises, full of colour, and full of the unexpected grace of Jesus.

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