Hello, friends.
My name is Adam Baker. For the past 12 years, I'm grateful to have been a United Methodist pastor in both coastal North Carolina and St. Louis, Missouri. Jenn, my wife, our four kids, and I love the Gateway City and The Gathering, the thriving, growing, LGBTQIA+-celebrating church that I have served in STL. Being a United Methodist pastor means you're always aware that you may have to move, but The Gathering isn't the kind of church you want to leave. It's a really special place, and I dearly love my co-workers and congregation.
Still, having ears to hear and eyes to see, Jenn and I know that the well-being, safety, and wholeness of our family matter most. Because of this, the Baker family will be moving to New Zealand in May of 2026, traveling almost 8,500 miles away from the city we've called home for the past six years.
In New Zealand, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Presbyter (Pastor) of the Dunedin Parish of The Methodist Church of New Zealand. This small, vibrantly multicultural Methodist denomination prioritizes inclusivity in its evangelism and shared life of faith. We are thankful for their kind welcome and invitation to ministry, and are excited to meet Jesus in new ways through the people in our new arts-focused, LGBTQIA+-welcoming city on the southeastern coast of this country we have never been to.
As those who love us have found out about our move, many of you have asked how you can help. While offers of help with packing and meals are appreciated, the fact that this is an international move makes everything a little different.
Typically, when a United Methodist pastor moves between churches in the United States, financial support is available to help cover the cost of a moving company. That financial support simply isn't available in our case, meaning that we are prayerfully working to cover the substantial expenses related to this move ourselves. Out of necessity, we will be selling our home, vehicles, and most of what we own, hoping to raise enough funds to pay for what is necessary while also affording us a small financial cushion in New Zealand. Given that our plans are actively in motion, we've had to make necessary purchases (plane tickets, moving company, immigration lawyer) well before our house and possessions here sell.
Along the way, we have learned that it's best to be honest about what you need, and as a wise friend of ours has said, "never say someone else's no for them." Friends, we know that the world is uncertain right now, so feel no pressure to financially support us. First and foremost, we ask for your prayers during this major life transition. But, we are working to cover the following significant expenses related to our move:
- Cost of an international moving company, which will be shipping some books, furniture, family photos, and other essentials: $12,000
- Cost of airfare for Jenn, myself, and our four children from St. Louis, MO to Dunedin, New Zealand: $8,500
- Cost of our immigration attorney, enabling us to navigate all of the complex realities of moving to another country: $4,500
When it's all said and done, this move will cost our family at least $25,000. It's a hefty sum for us - and honestly not money we currently have - but we know that it's worth it to seek what's best for our kids and family.
We move to New Zealand in four months. God has opened a door for us to do so, for which we are so thankful (as bittersweet as leaving St. Louis is). If you can support us financially in even a small way, it would bless my family. If you're able to pray for us but not donate, that would deeply bless my family. If what you can offer is a kind word or a hug, it would be an even further blessing for us. Any donation helps, and anything we receive will be used to support this move.
Thank you for loving us. We love you.
And, thank you for considering being a part of our story in this way.