Garth Piper became pastor of Rotorua Bible Baptist Church on April 4, 2005. His wife, Lynette, daughter, Lydia (21), and sons, Garrett (18) and Grant (12), join him in serving here. Their desire is to be a blessing and encouragement to the congregation, visitors and local community. They seek to make a difference, with God's help. They have been greatly appreciative of all the support they've had.

The Pipers spent six years ministering in Hamilton at Fellowship Baptist Church, which meets at Fairfield College. They have left the congregation in the capable hands of Pastor Jono Millar, who was saved and trained in that ministry.

Garth and Lynette became best friends while still in high school in rural Michigan in the states. They both graduated from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wisconsin, Garth in pastoral studies and Lynette in elementary education. They were married in 1984 and have been serving the Lord together ever since.

Their first ministry after graduation was in Jacksonville, Florida, where they served for nine years in different capacities- youth pastor, Sunday school teachers, Christian school teachers, coaching, etc.

The Pipers next ministry was in Detroit, Michigan area, where they taught in the Christian school for two years. It was during this time that the Lord used Bob McLain to show them the needs in New Zealand and his desire for co-workers to help in the ministry in Hamilton. The Pipers volunteered to go if the Lord opened the doors. They completed deputation with two children home-schooling and a baby and headed to New Zealand in 1999 for the first time, never having visited before. They weren't disappointed, even though it was a long, cold, wet, foggy winter in the Southern Hemisphere after a long, cold, snowy winter in the Northern Hemisphere! They have loved the people here in New Zealand, as they have grown to love the people in every one of their ministries and hate to leave each one.

The Pipers invite you to come visit the church and see for yourself what a great group of people are there, dedicated to serving the Lord and helping each other. We're not a perfect church, but God can work through any vessel that humbles himself to Him. Come if you want to receive a blessing and stay if you want to be a blessing!