A publication celebrating the last 25 years of Titoki Christian Healing Centre has been written by Whakatāne clergyman Bert Schoneveld, pictured below, to celebrate its 50th jubilee in March.

The centre offers accommodation for 17 guests (maximum) on just over four hectares of gardens and bush. Its first 25 years of operation – 1976 to 2000 – has already been written up in two books by author Peggy Fussell.

Mr Schoneveld said he had taken on the challenge of recording the balance of the 50-year history.  

“The aim is to acknowledge the support from its Poroporo neighbours, many volunteers and donors and staff who hail from all over the country.”

But none of it could have happened without God’s provision and the faith of many supporters, he said.

“Titoki’s core mission has been to provide a peaceful environment so that God could work in people’s lives and this has been via retreats, prayer ministry, counselling, and debriefing for individuals, especially Christian workers.”

The narrative covers all kinds of events and challenges since 2000, including severe flooding which damaged the centre in 2004 and events which affected staff and volunteers, such as the Edgecumbe Flood of 2017 and Whakaari/White Island eruption in 2019.  

Between 2020 and 2021, Covid decimated the number of those participating in spiritual retreats and other ministries, putting the survival of the centre at risk. However, the healing centre has survived against the odds.

There are many heartwarming tales of prayers being answered in the shape of key staff enlisting at times of highest need and financial contributions, donated goods, machinery and materials arriving just in the nick of time to keep things going.

Up until 2018 the centre provided a respite care ministry in association with Tūhoe Hauora.

This set aside a week every month to provide respite for up to eight mental health clients, the arrangement lasting till funding was withdrawn following a change of Government.

“Over the 50 years the people, resources and means have been provided, with the work persisting in the face of many highs and lows," Mr Schoneveld said.

“God has worked faithfully through his people and the generosity, kindness, patience and endurance of all who had a small or a big role has been staggering.  

“The style of leadership has been crucial to this success.

“Top-down” leadership, in a setting such as Titoki, does not work well," he said.

The people who work at Titoki are all volunteers and what has worked very well is the team approach, employed by Don Ferguson, Graeme and Shona Birch and Margie and Roger Upson among others.  

“This style of leadership is strong on trust, builds the team up and allows them to feel valued and affirmed in their roles and are participants in the decision-making process.”

The publication will be available for sale at the jubilee on March 7 and subsequently.

Peace found in tranquil setting

As it approaches 50 years of operation, Titoki Healing Centre is still charming visitors to its rural location 10 kilometres south of Whakatāne.

Other Christian facilities have come and gone in that time, but trust members and staff are confident Titoki will have yet more stories to tell.

The couple who have managed the facility for the past 20 months, Ross and Pamela Andrew, previously lived in Wellington and Masterton, where they ran a cafe and a Christian bookshop.

They say guests to Titoki are enthusiastic about the quiet space and opportunity for contemplation it provides.

Some receive prayer aimed at healing trauma suffered in the past; some come for a holiday in peace and quiet. Missionaries stay for free.

American missionaries to Vanuatu had stayed for about 10 days, with their time there divided as they were pre-booked to see Waitomo Caves during their New Zealand holiday.

“They told us if they’d known what it was like at Titoki they would have skipped Waitomo altogether,” Mr Andrew said.

A recent visit by a group of women working through grief culminated with photos on the last day before everyone went home.

“They were all deeply touched by the end of their stay and all hugged us, which was a bit overwhelming,” Mr Andrew said.

“Some Swiss missionaries to PNG came recently and stayed for several days.

“No payment was required, but they insisted on leaving us a generous donation.”

What is the secret?

“I think it’s because Titoki was divinely set up in the first place,” Mr Andrew said.

“God orchestrated the thing and provided the vision to (Anglican clergyman) Don Fergusson in 1975. It’s so peaceful, a beautiful place and there’s a wonderful opportunity to make it more so.

“We want to tend to it, keep it and make it shine, and are looking for more people with the same vision. There’s a lot to do, but we don’t see the problems, we see potential.”

Mrs Andrew said she was drawn to Titoki when she happened to stop by. At the time it seemed to be pure chance. Now she sees it as a divine appointment.

She said the mature trees; expansive green spaces; a sense of peace called to her.

“And the gardens cried out to me for help, help, help.”

There is a large amount of infrastructure to maintain, but the couple relate how people with skills and resources have arrived just at the right time.

After they put the word out to local churches asking for help to paint the chapel, a man with a paint company came and did the job for the cost of the paint, only. He has since offered more help and became a friend.

Similar tales are attached to the acquisition of equipment such as ride on mowers, and a high-tech pellet heater.

Mr Andrew: “We still want to find people to help in the garden, especially the maintenance area.

“We’ve got a workshop that’s just been painted out and freshened up. It could be an art studio, or possibly it could house a men’s shed type of activity.

“Perhaps where men meet once a week to do a whole lot of small tasks adding up to the big picture.

“There is also need for a chef. Then we could do a lot more hospitality wise. There’s a comfortable flat above the kitchen which would suit a couple prepared to take that job on.”

Mrs Andrew: “I would like to see a little more awareness of Titoki. We welcome day visitors, whom we always enjoy showing around.

“If they give us a call, they can come out and get the tour.

“When the volunteers work here, they just fall in love with the place, and are encouraged in their faith, so it’s a win-win for everyone.”