Listening Ears in Foxton
Senior soldiers Anita and Zane Goode of Foxton Corps have found an innovative yet simple way to serve and connect with their local community. While out doing errands, the couple repeatedly noticed a long queue forming outside the local chemist as people waited for it to open at 8.30am. They began wondering if there was some way they could serve these people as they stood out in the cold.
‘Both Zane and I usually have a thermos in our vehicle for those “just in case” moments. We thought we could park the corps van outside and serve hot drinks from the back of it,’ explains Anita.
The couple put the proposal to Corps Officer Major Steph Herring, who was in full support of the innovative venture. They then put the call out for thermoses they could borrow to get the ministry off the ground.
‘Every Monday morning at 8.30am, we are set up to serve our community—be it those taking their morning walk, others waiting for WINZ or the chemist to open, as well as high school kids who stop before they head off to school. We are always gone by 9am so as not to upset any local business owners along Main Street,’ explains Anita.
With up to 20 people engaging with Anita and Zane each Monday, the couple know this could easily become a five-day-a-week ministry.
‘We see new faces and old ones that disappear, but we are there to listen to whoever comes along and wants to chat. We feel very privileged as they begin to trust us and start sharing their life stories with us,’ says Anita. ‘We’ve had some amazing opportunities where people have really shared about their addictions, sadness and losses, as well as young mums who come along to introduce us to their new whānau members and partners.’
Anita and Zane greet everyone with a smile and a hot drink topped with a marshmallow, along with homemade baking provided by other members of Foxton Corps. Sometimes they even hand out goodie bags as a special Monday morning treat!
‘It’s really the listening ear, and showing you care, that they are yearning for,’ says Anita. ‘We’ve had people from this thermos ministry then venture into the Hub space at our corps, coming in for a food parcel, a hug, a prayer or that listening ear. All glory to God!’
Steph speaks very highly of Anita and Zane.
‘In all my years as an officer, I haven’t seen such passion for the lost, broken, and unloved before. To see them minister to these people with such gentleness and deep love is something to behold.’
Anita and Zane believe that preaching the gospel doesn’t necessarily mean using words.
‘Through our actions, we do our best to represent Jesus well,’ says Anita. ‘These people are precious, and we really look forward to seeing how Jesus works in their lives. They are all children of God—they just don’t realise it yet. We hope and pray to be that connector between the Father and His children. Zane and I are excited, as we know God is working here in our community of Foxton/Beach and we are so glad to be part of it.’
