Written by Jason Shaw, Community Services Enabler
Interview with Rita Bell
For some, retirement means campervanning the South Island or cruising through the islands. But for Rita, it means something entirely different. Her joy comes not from ticking off travel destinations, but from walking the familiar paths of Wakefield, chatting with neighbours, and quietly living out her faith in ways that draw others closer to God.
Rita’s days are filled with purpose. She’s deeply involved in her church community, not just attending but actively shaping the life of the church. Whether it’s helping with Sunday Live, preparing meals, or simply being present, she brings warmth and welcome wherever she goes. Her church isn’t just a place she visits, it’s a family she nurtures and is nurtured.
But Rita’s faith doesn’t stop at the church door. She’s out in the community, walking the streets, stopping to talk with dog walkers, and building relationships one conversation at a time. She believes mission isn’t about grand gestures, but it’s about being available, being real, and being willing to be interrupted. As she puts it, “Mission is just doing what everyone else is doing, but doing it like a Christian.”
Her connection with God is the quiet engine behind it all. She listens for the Spirit’s nudges, even when they come at inconvenient times. She’s learned to trust that when she steps out in faith, God meets her there. “The outcome is not our job,” she says. “It’s the doing our bit that the Holy Spirit has prompted.”
Rita’s story is a beautiful reminder that ministry isn’t reserved for the young or the ordained. It’s for anyone willing to show up, to care, and to let God work through the ordinary moments of life. She may not be cruising the islands, but she’s navigating something far more meaningful—the hearts and lives of those around her, one relationship at a time.
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.
Written by Jason Shaw, Community Services Enabler
Interview with Rita Bell
For some, retirement means campervanning the South Island or cruising through the islands. But for Rita, it means something entirely different. Her joy comes not from ticking off travel destinations, but from walking the familiar paths of Wakefield, chatting with neighbours, and quietly living out her faith in ways that draw others closer to God.
Rita’s days are filled with purpose. She’s deeply involved in her church community, not just attending but actively shaping the life of the church. Whether it’s helping with Sunday Live, preparing meals, or simply being present, she brings warmth and welcome wherever she goes. Her church isn’t just a place she visits, it’s a family she nurtures and is nurtured.
But Rita’s faith doesn’t stop at the church door. She’s out in the community, walking the streets, stopping to talk with dog walkers, and building relationships one conversation at a time. She believes mission isn’t about grand gestures, but it’s about being available, being real, and being willing to be interrupted. As she puts it, “Mission is just doing what everyone else is doing, but doing it like a Christian.”
Her connection with God is the quiet engine behind it all. She listens for the Spirit’s nudges, even when they come at inconvenient times. She’s learned to trust that when she steps out in faith, God meets her there. “The outcome is not our job,” she says. “It’s the doing our bit that the Holy Spirit has prompted.”
Rita’s story is a beautiful reminder that ministry isn’t reserved for the young or the ordained. It’s for anyone willing to show up, to care, and to let God work through the ordinary moments of life. She may not be cruising the islands, but she’s navigating something far more meaningful—the hearts and lives of those around her, one relationship at a time.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
