Mainstage
Our main stage experiences are a mashup of innovation and inspiration.
Connect Speakers
Bill Maston
Bill is the founder of Nexus International and brings a wealth of leadership and ministry experience from his 30+ years in youth ministry. Bill (more commonly known as Gandalf among his younger staff) has been developing youth leaders in over 25 different countries with Nexus International including Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Romania and Africa. As an organisation, Nexus International is involved with training and equipping 1,000+ youth leaders from 53 nations on an annual basis.
Bill is brilliant at helping people centre their lives and ministry around Jesus Christ and helping them to take the call to make disciples seriously and strategically. Bill lives in Colorado with his wife Karen and has four married adult children and 10 grandchildren.
Mareta Ford
Mareta has been involved with young people since she was thrown in the deep in at the age of 13yrs by her Father, helping him withSunday School. This experience has set the trend for Mareta’s induction into youth ministry and community work. Mareta does not hold a degree but is definitely “QBE” (Qualified by Experience) after 22 years of church and community youth work. Mareta is currently Senior Community Adviser for youth at Hamilton City Council and has been involved in countless youth initiatives including establishing community youth leadership programmes throughout Hamilton. Mareta is a New Zealand born Cook Island Maori who loves helping people to figure out what it looks like to hold onto their culture while trying to make it in a palangi world. Mareta has got lots of wisdom and experience and is looking forward to sharing it with us all at Connect 2015.
David Crawley
David and his wife Sarah live in Titirangi, and both lecture at the Henderson campus of Laidlaw College. David’s teaching area is spiritual formation. He also works in a private capacity as a spiritual director and supervisor, and is preparing for ordination as a sacramental minister in the local Anglican Church. When not busy with those responsibilities David enjoys walking, drinking coffee in the local cafés, watching movies, listening to music, and annoying the neighbours with his attempts to play the saxophone.