If you tune into Radio Rhema from 3-6pm, you’ll hear the warm, witty voice of Gary Hoogvliet, beaming across the country as afternoon show host. Many listeners don’t realise Gary is based right here in our diocese, where he’s part of All Saints in Nelson. We caught up to talk about the joys and challenges of ministry in media.
Gary: Pam and I joined Rhema in 2002. Our first “missionary posting” was to Canada to help build one of the first stations there. Pam works in admin, but we’ve always seen this as a joint mission. People tend to focus on the “front person”, but we really are a team.
Gary: Absolutely. It’s a gift to wake up each day and create Christian media. I’ve loved many projects – especially my TV show A Very Tall Man. I discovered a passion for interviewing during my time with the ABC in Australia, and now I get to do that every day on Rhema.
The amazing thing? In 2025 I can broadcast daily from my little Nelson studio, thanks to some very clever tech people!
Gary: It’s a privilege to be invited into people’s homes every day. I want to help listeners take their “next right step” toward the Lord – whether that’s simply enjoying the music or making the life-changing decision to follow Jesus.
Gary: In the early days at Rhema, staff would pray over announcers before each show. That stuck with me. Now I have my own daily liturgy of sorts I pray before my show:
“Lord, may today’s show allow a listener to think, smile, learn, be entertained, and above all hear the thought or song they most needed. May it be a conduit for your Holy Spirit to do his work. Amen.”
Gary: There are many! I was petrified interviewing Sir Les Patterson, inspired by Sir Michael Parkinson, and in stitches with Dick Emery.
One standout was Anne Hegerty from The Chase. When I asked about her personal relationship with Christ, she replied: “Gary, I’m autistic. I don’t have a personal relationship with anybody. You need to think about that!”
Her manager later told me her TV contract requires that, when away from home, she must be given time and opportunity to attend church.
Gary: Flared pants and sideburns have, sadly, gone out of fashion – but I still have the suit! The biggest change is Rhema now runs three stations: Rhema, Life FM, and Sanctuary. For over 40 years, Christians in New Zealand have kept us listener-supported, and we’re deeply grateful – especially with so many options out there today.
Gary: We love All Saints! We have been made to feel so welcome, and if my media stuff can have the same impact as the church has had on us, I’d be happy.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
If you tune into Radio Rhema from 3-6pm, you’ll hear the warm, witty voice of Gary Hoogvliet, beaming across the country as afternoon show host. Many listeners don’t realise Gary is based right here in our diocese, where he’s part of All Saints in Nelson. We caught up to talk about the joys and challenges of ministry in media.
Gary: Pam and I joined Rhema in 2002. Our first “missionary posting” was to Canada to help build one of the first stations there. Pam works in admin, but we’ve always seen this as a joint mission. People tend to focus on the “front person”, but we really are a team.
Gary: Absolutely. It’s a gift to wake up each day and create Christian media. I’ve loved many projects – especially my TV show A Very Tall Man. I discovered a passion for interviewing during my time with the ABC in Australia, and now I get to do that every day on Rhema.
The amazing thing? In 2025 I can broadcast daily from my little Nelson studio, thanks to some very clever tech people!
Gary: It’s a privilege to be invited into people’s homes every day. I want to help listeners take their “next right step” toward the Lord – whether that’s simply enjoying the music or making the life-changing decision to follow Jesus.
Gary: In the early days at Rhema, staff would pray over announcers before each show. That stuck with me. Now I have my own daily liturgy of sorts I pray before my show:
“Lord, may today’s show allow a listener to think, smile, learn, be entertained, and above all hear the thought or song they most needed. May it be a conduit for your Holy Spirit to do his work. Amen.”
Gary: There are many! I was petrified interviewing Sir Les Patterson, inspired by Sir Michael Parkinson, and in stitches with Dick Emery.
One standout was Anne Hegerty from The Chase. When I asked about her personal relationship with Christ, she replied: “Gary, I’m autistic. I don’t have a personal relationship with anybody. You need to think about that!”
Her manager later told me her TV contract requires that, when away from home, she must be given time and opportunity to attend church.
Gary: Flared pants and sideburns have, sadly, gone out of fashion – but I still have the suit! The biggest change is Rhema now runs three stations: Rhema, Life FM, and Sanctuary. For over 40 years, Christians in New Zealand have kept us listener-supported, and we’re deeply grateful – especially with so many options out there today.
Gary: We love All Saints! We have been made to feel so welcome, and if my media stuff can have the same impact as the church has had on us, I’d be happy.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
