Robert was born and raised in Hamilton NZ.  He met Eileen in 1976, and they married in 1979.  The Lord touched Robert’s life in November 1981, and he became a born-again Christian while attending an Elim church in Hamilton. As a believer he had a desire to serve the Lord in whatever capacity God called him to. This resulted in various positions within the Church body over the years, including Children’s ministry leaders, youth group leaders, home group leaders, Men’s Bible study leader, deacon,  and Elder.  Raising a family of seven children also kept Robert and Eileen busy in home ministry.

In the secular world he has spent 32 years in the Fire and General Insurance industry, and prior to that worked as a Real Estate Agent and in various other sales positions.
 

Eileen was born in New Zealand to Dutch parents who were farmers in the Waikato region. She grew up with the knowledge of God and personally received Christ as Savior and Lord at the age of sixteen.

After leaving school she trained for 2 ½ years in General Nursing but resigned before completing the course. She met Robert in 1977, and they married in 1979. She obtained a position with the Health Department as a Pharmaceutical Pricing Officer followed by a Section Officer then a Statistical Officer.

Starting a family, Eileen resigned from the Health Department and became a full-time mum to her seven children whom she homeschooled through the years.

Eileen has been active in the Church as Every Girls Rally leader and Ladies Bible Study leader also working alongside Robert in other ministries including Children’s camps as Camp Parents and organizing and facilitating Family camps. She was also assistant leader in St Johns Youth.

Eileen has an ‘open home’ policy which over the years has led to much hospitality to family, friends and many other people including some Israeli travelers in NZ. 

Eileens interest in Jewish people began as a child when she heard stories from her parents about the war. Later she became an avid reader of Corrie ten Boom which created a desire in her heart to minister to Jewish people. Until she met Zohar, she had no idea that there were actual ministries in New Zealand to be able to do this. Since meeting him the opportunities have arisen to serve through CMNZ.

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Now living in Marton, in 2015, Robert met Zohar Gonen (on staff with CMNZ) through his sons, who attended the same Bible College Zohar was attending.  Zohar introduced Robert & Eileen to CMNZ and piqued their interest.

Zohar invited them to serve at The Homestead at Lake Waihola, in 2017. They’ve also periodically served at CMNZ's Ministry Centre in Wanaka. Their love for Israel and the Jewish people has only intensified since then, and now their focus is to serve CMNZ in a full-time capacity wherever the Lord leads.