For anyone who is interested in following Jesus as his disciple. This podcast will be conversational, talking together about topics of prayer, sharing our faith with others, making disciples, our relationship with the word of God, forming groups and multiplication. If you are a disciple, disciple maker, group leader, church leader or multiplying leader you will enjoy these real experience based conversations.
connect@praxeis.org.au
All content for Conversations as you Go is the property of Dave Lawton and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
For anyone who is interested in following Jesus as his disciple. This podcast will be conversational, talking together about topics of prayer, sharing our faith with others, making disciples, our relationship with the word of God, forming groups and multiplication. If you are a disciple, disciple maker, group leader, church leader or multiplying leader you will enjoy these real experience based conversations.
connect@praxeis.org.au
159. The Tide is Turning – New Zealand with Roger Hayward
Conversations as you Go
23 minutes 8 seconds
6 months ago
159. The Tide is Turning – New Zealand with Roger Hayward
In this episode, Dave catches up with Roger Hayward, our Praxeis New Zealand leader, while standing atop a stunning lookout in New Zealand’s North Island. From this mountain perch, they gaze over the town of Ngaruawahia — home to one of the most significant marae in Aotearoa, Tūrangawaewae Marae — the royal residence of the Māori King and a symbolic heart of the Māori people.
A shift is happening
Together, they reflect on a wave of spiritual momentum and acceleration sweeping across New Zealand, particularly in regions like Northland. Roger shares powerful stories of movement — including within gang communities, where one leader is using Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) to help members break free from addiction and experience transformation.
Cardinal Points Prayer and DMM Connect
Their conversation also turns to the recent Cardinal Points Prayer and the upcoming DMM Connect gathering. The Cardinal Points Prayer saw the team travel to the north, south, east, and west of the nation, praying into what God is doing across the land. This weekend’s DMM Connect will bring together people from a variety of contexts.
Answer to long term prayer for universities
One such person is a church leader from central Auckland with a heart for university students — a direct answer to long-standing prayers for the next generation. This leader has found fresh clarity through connecting with Praxeis workers and engaging with the '21 Days To Becoming a Disciple Maker' book by Jim Britts. God is stirring hearts with a call to simplicity and obedience.
Catalytic leadership
Dave reflects on the role of a catalyst leader like Roger — someone who doesn’t try to do everything, but instead finds and releases workers in diverse contexts. Roger speaks honestly about the challenges in New Zealand: the need to embed deeply in local culture while also carrying the heart of Jesus into every sphere. He emphasises the importance of shared language and movement DNA across diverse teams — especially in a country like New Zealand, where over 40% of Auckland’s 1.8 million residents were born overseas, with some suburbs reaching up to 80%.
Roger poses the key question: how does the Gospel take root in such a mosaic of cultures? The answer lies in staying faithful to the DNA of Disciple-Making Movements — Word and Spirit. The expression may look different in prisons, among immigrants, or with students, but the foundation remains the same: the Word of God. It’s not our idea — it’s God’s. And the journey requires time, faithfulness, and perseverance.
Roger offers a powerful image of scaffolding: workers coming alongside to build and support until others can carry the vision forward in their own context. Then, the scaffolding comes down. “As the Father sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21) becomes a theme echoed throughout the episode.
In the final minutes, Dave and Roger share their hearts for the nations — including Japan — and call listeners to pray bigger and be ready to step into what God is doing both globally and locally.
Final word of encouragement from Rog
“Keep going. This journey with DMM can be tough — like climbing a mountain — but there will be plateaus where we clearly see God at work. Our God is a good Father. As He sent Jesus, so He sends us. Don’t compare yourself to others. Rest with the Father when you need to, and keep being obedient to Jesus. Comparison kills — but obedience brings life. Enjoy the journey!”
Conversations as you Go
For anyone who is interested in following Jesus as his disciple. This podcast will be conversational, talking together about topics of prayer, sharing our faith with others, making disciples, our relationship with the word of God, forming groups and multiplication. If you are a disciple, disciple maker, group leader, church leader or multiplying leader you will enjoy these real experience based conversations.
connect@praxeis.org.au