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About us

Beacon Partnerships

Formerly known as LeaDev-Langham, Beacon Partnerships represents a partnership between Mesa Global (formerly Overseas Council) and Langham Partnership International in New Zealand.

As an interdenominational evangelical organisation, we work closely with our affiliates and Partner Schools, and affirm the statement of faith of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).

Our dedicated staff and board in New Zealand are committed to serving the ministries of both networks. Together, we strive to expand and strengthen the Kingdom of God in the Asia-Pacific region.

Leadership Development and Langham Partnerships New Zealand Logos side by side

Our Partner Schools

From New Zealand, we partner with international training agencies and programmes across Asia-Pacific that are centres of excellence in equipping Christian leaders.

Hover over the icons to see how we’re working and get in touch if you’d like to support their work or learn more.

Bethlehem Bible College

(Bethlehem)

Program for Theological Education by Extension

(Amman)

Zarephath Bible Seminary

(Rawalpindi)

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AGST Nepal

(Kathmandu)

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Colombo Theological Seminary

(Colombo)

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South Asia Institute for Advanced Christian Studies

(Bangalore)

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Myanmar Evangelical Graduate School of Theology

(Yangon)

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Christian Leaders Training College

(Banz)

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Asia Theological Seminary

(Quezon City)

AGST Philippines

(Quezon City)

Tyranus Bible Seminary & Bundung Bible Seminary

(Bandung)

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Hanoi Bible College

(Hanoi)

AGST Alliance

(Kuala Lumpur)

Bangkok Bible Seminary

(Bangkok)

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Chiang Mai Theological Seminary

(Chiang Mai)

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Kalaymyo Consortium of Bible Colleges

(Kalaymyo)

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Cambodia GLOW Bible Seminary

(Phom Phen)

Lanka Bible College and Seminary

(Kandy)

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Langham Partnership International logo

Langham Partnership International

Langham Partnership International has a strong focus on the effective preaching of God’s Word, with a vision to see churches in the Majority World equipped for mission and growing to maturity in Christ through the ministry of pastors and leaders who believe, teach and live by the Word of God. This is done through the training of preachers, the production and distribution of Christian literature, and the support of scholars.

The ministry began in 1969 as the vision of John Stott in the United Kingdom. Today it is global fellowship of partner countries sharing the same vision, mission and commitment to strengthen the church. We became affiliated to Langham Partnership International in 2007.

Mesa Global

Mesa Global (formerly Overseas Council) provides support to over 120 international Christian training agencies across 60+ countries in the Majority World. Every year, we witness the incredible journey of over 50,000 students who are  training to become Christian leaders.

The ministry traces back to 1974, ignited by the vision of Charles Spicer from the USA. Initially, the focus centered on empowering Seoul Theological Seminary, which experienced remarkable growth, more than doubling in size by 1980 and becoming the third largest seminary in the non-western world. Since then, they have expanded its reach, strategically supporting schools in various regions of the Majority World. In 1989, we affiliated ourselves with Overseas Council, marking a significant milestone in our journey.

Meet the Team

Local Team
Our Board of Trustees
Russell Thorp

Russell Thorp

Executive Director

Russell was born in Papua New Guinea (PNG) of missionary parents. He and Pearl married in 1982. After training at Laidlaw College, earning a Master of Theology degree, they went back to PNG and served on the faculty of Christian Leaders Training College (CLTC). Prior to taking up his former role, as Mission Director, Global Connections in Mission (GC3), he was Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Carey Baptist College, Auckland, and prior to that, a senior lecturer at Pathways Bible and Mission College. Russell and Pearl live in Auckland. They are parents of four adult children.

John

John Corban

Finance Manager
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Born in Tanzania, John is passionate about seeing the Church strengthened and mature; his family has a long history with mission work around the world. As well as providing part-time finance management to Beacon Partnerships, he is the Global Finance Officer for Langham Partnership International which sees him travelling to meetings with our networks several times a year. Prior to being our resident ‘Bean Counter’ (and so much more), he was an Accountant in the corporate sector for many years. Away from work, John plays guitar and sings, runs to keep healthy, coaches his son’s cricket team and drives his kids all around Auckland to support their busy lives.

Phil Tait

Phil Tait

International Programmes & Partnerships Manager
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Phil has a part-time role consulting with partner schools and developing programmes to develop their capacity. He is passionate about equipping Spirit-led leaders for the church in the majority world. He has taught at a theological college in Nigeria for nine years and has been involved in teaching and academic leadership at the Christian Leaders' Training College in PNG for twelve years. He has also been involved in leadership of SIM and the training of missionaries globally. He lives in Cambridge with his wife, Jill, although they continue to spend a good part of each year overseas. They have three daughters and three grandchildren.
Admin

Kim

Admin Manager
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Kim spent her formative years in both the North and South Islands of NZ but considers herself a Mainlander at heart.  She has broad experience in corporate and small business administration and management most recently in the construction sector.  Kim and her husband Eric enjoy being parents to a large diverse adult family and when she has a few spare minutes you’ll find her catching up with friends, reading or tinkering in the garage.
Amanda

Amanda Wang

Marketing Manager
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Based in Auckland, Amanda grew up in Singapore, came to New Zealand for her big OE and never left. She has a diploma in Mass Communications and bachelor’s degree in Digital Animation. Prior to joining Beacon Partnerships, she worked as a Communications and Multimedia Manager at a not for profit. She is passionate about helping young adults develop into Christ-followers with a personal relationship with God.

Trevor Borlase

Campus Consultant
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Trevor previously managed the development and maintenance of port and camp ground facilities in the Nelson Tasman region.

Denis Browne

Board Chairman

Denis has been a trustee since 2005. A Chemical Engineer by training, he spent 23 years in the corporate sector working for a Swedish multinational in a number of countries, including in the Majority World. He now runs his own company selling heat exchanger products to building services and industry, and lives in Auckland.

“There is no more strategic ministry I can think of that so effectively leverages resources in the western church to help build God’s kingdom in the developing world.”

Milne Horne

Board Member
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Milne is a South Island dairy farmer.  A believer since the age of 25, he is active in his local church, a Gideon, and the Director of several business and not for profit boards.  He’s a father of four, and a grandfather of four.

Janet Tuck

Board Member
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Janet is a career and workplace coach, also providing supervision and mentoring services.  She is focused on helping people be the best they can be within their working environment. Particular areas of interest include the strategic career development and support for leaders, and wellbeing in the workplace. 

Janet has been involved in governance in several faith-based organisations over the years and is currently chair of the Kaitiaki at her church, Rhythms of Grace in Auckland.

She is married to Deane and they have two children, a daughter-in-law and a grandson, all resident overseas. She enjoys living in the Paremoremo community, and interests include local sustainability initiatives, walking, bookgroup, and spending time with friends and family.

Steve Mataia

Board Member
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A primary school teacher by qualification, Steve spent the last 22 years at the Unitec Institute of Technology, bringing bridging education and support to Pacific students, helping them succeed. Currently the Senior Pastor at Word of Life Church in West Auckland, Steve is also passionate about seeing young people grow spiritually. His involvement in youth ministry over 25 years has given him insights into motivating and coaching young people to become leaders in their own spheres of influence. Steve is married to Judy and they have three sons. Steve has a passion for all kinds of sport but loves American Football most of all. He has graduate and post-graduate qualifications in education, leadership and theology, but is always on a learning journey of some kind.

Paul Trebilco

Board Member
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Paul is Professor of New Testament Studies in the Department of Theology and Religion, University of Otago, Dunedin, and a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. He has co-written commentaries on 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus in the Asia Bible Commentary Series, published by the Asia Theological Association. He supervises Beacon Partnerships PhD candidates, including Anna Sui Hluan (MEGST, Myanmar) and George Mombi (CLTC, Papua New Guinea). Paul has had a decades long association with TSCF in New Zealand, and he and his wife worship at Leith Valley Presbyterian Church, Dunedin.

Malcolm Falloon

Board Member
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Malcolm is an ordained minister with the Church of Confessing Anglicans. Ordained in 1992, he has ministered in five South Island parishes before moving to Auckland in 2020 to help plant the Church of the Ascension. He has a PhD on the early missionaries to New Zealand and the conversion of Māori to Christianity.