Growing our Media Chaplaincy team
Media Chaplaincy has experienced increasing demand over the past two years. Reporters and journalists are under enormous pressure and traumatising situations regularly confront many: the very worst of humanity.
MCNZ is working hard to meet this demand and ensure our media personnel are supported and encouraged. Our vision is to add more chaplains and ultimately provide at least one chaplain to every media organisation in the country.
In the meantime, we are working hard to add new faces to our team. We now have eleven media chaplains on our books with more on the way!
You can browse our full team here.
Our chaplains have either pastoral or chaplaincy training, are focused on confidentiality and are passionate about the people who make up our media. They’re people who understand the industry's pressures and desire to see those within it thrive.
Our team is here in person or via Zoom if you need support. Simply reach out via our website and we can do the rest.
Introducing the newest members of our team:
Rachel Kitchens - Auckland - Rachel is an ordained deacon in Te Mihana Māori, Te Takiwā o Manukau, a spiritual director, retreat facilitator, mum of three and an adult ballet teacher.
Rev Scottie Reeve - Wellington - Scottie is an Anglican Priest from Brooklyn. He is a podcast host, published author, university chaplain and contributor for a variety of mastheads, including the Spinoff.
Justin Latif - Justin is an award-winning journalist, communicator and community organiser with a background in teaching and coaching. He is currently Chief of Staff at the Pacific Media Network. (Justin will be available after the elections)
Imogen Maddock - Christchurch - Imogen is a Bachelor of Communications graduate - specialising in radio. She has worked in radio production and is a former youth pastor. Imogen is focused on supporting media students.
Important others: We have full confidence that each of our chaplains can appropriately deal with a wide range of diverse people and circumstances. That said, our group of chaplains recognise that for some there may be sensitivities - in such instances, you may feel like someone other than our team may be a better fit for you. If this is the case, please still get in touch with us. We are connected to a broad range of pastoral people and are confident that we can find someone you can talk to who is appropriate for your situation.