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On Sabbath 8th January 2022 Bairnsdale Seventh-day Adventist church welcomed their new pastor and his family to a worship service. The Victorian Conference called Rian Van Deventer from his ministry in North New Zealand however, due to COVID-19 his arrival was delayed until December.
Rian and Altina were born in South Africa but met in South Korea when teaching English as a second language. Altina and her family had earlier emigrated to New Zealand while Rian reached Korea after studying in the USA. They now have two daughters, Danika aged 12 (almost 13) and Carissa, 15.
Since their arrival to Bairnsdale, the family have begun integrating with church and wider community. Visiting Cann River church members, preaching in Sale Church and visiting people in their homes.
Danika and Carissa are set to begin school at Nagal College while Altina will teach at Bairnsdale High School.
Our pastor has already made a great start by upgrading management of our ADRA Opportunity Centre and community food program while also taking an important leadership part himself.
He encourages us with second-weekly sermons, alternating with Sale church and his children’s stories are especially enjoyed – by adults as well. We are even more motivated now to share the love of Jesus since the arrival of the dynamic van Deventer team.
Judith Walker