Opera Singer appointed as Leader of NZ Baptists

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Media release

EMBARGOED UNTIL MONDAY 13 OCTOBER 2006

Opera Singer appointed as Leader of New Zealand Baptists

Rodney Macann, who has had a distinguished international opera career, has been appointed National Leader of the New Zealand Baptists.

The four year appointment, which has been endorsed by all New Zealand Baptist churches, takes effect on November 12 at the Baptist Annual Assembly in Nelson.

Mr Macann, who has a nice line in operatic villains, was part of an outstanding group of New Zealand singers who left for the United Kingdom during the 1960s. His career has encompassed regular appearances at Covent Garden, the English National Opera and major venues throughout Europe, the USA, Japan and Russia.

He returned to New Zealand in 1990 to lead the ministry team at Wellington Central Baptist church, having completed theological studies at Spurgeon's College in London during the 1970s.

In 2002 he was appointed Regional Consultant to the Wellington Baptist churches.

Mr Macann takes the helm of a movement of churches which, in recent years, has grown to have the largest attendance of all protestant churches (approximately 42,000 people), equal with the Anglicans.

Baptists, whose gender and average age breakdown tracks very closely with that of the New Zealand population, are highly regarded for the vigour and integrity of their work with young people and a very high degree of social engagement with the community.

They are currently one of the largest providers of early childhood programmes (42) outside of Government.

ENDS

For information about Baptist Churches of New Zealand go to:
www.baptist.org.nz

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