“A giant tree has fallen”
Cor Reyngoud: 5 March 1929 – 12 Feb 2022
Cor was part of the founding membership of Manukau Central Baptist Church (now renamed “Connect”). Our church was a church plant from Papatoetoe Baptist Church (now Manukau City Baptist), of which Cor was a member. They had a vision to plant a church in Goodwood Heights. They first met in a home and then in Redoubt North Primary School. Gail Page, Daphne Fyfe and Wayne Waring were also founding members.
The initial building only cost $145,000 (now our café area). The Baptist Association put in $15,000.00. Cor, a carpenter, was the supporter and encourager on the building committee. As an immigrant from the Netherlands, Cor, and his wife Susan, supported a Taiwanese community, teaching them English in their home. Cor organised Taiwanese men to lay 13 cubic metres of concrete in just 55 minutes!
When our original building felt too small leadership decided to add a large extension (our new sanctuary, music room and prayer room). This began in 2006. Cor waterproofed the old basement walls (our present youth room and storage room) in an attempt to deal with the musty issue (unfortunately this is still a problem). Cor built and fitted the sound control panels in our sanctuary. He built the pulpit, communion table, sound desk, and much of the cabinetry in our whole building.
Cor served faithfully as an elder at Connect for many years. He was the first person I met when I came to see if God was calling me here. About 6 years ago, when Cor was 86, I asked him to build me an old wooden cross. He nearly fell over carrying it down his hall, after hand chiselling every indentation.
During Lockdown Cor came on ZOOM to every prayer meeting, interceding for an hour. He would always pray for our seniors. Cor is a great reminder that “retirement” from ministry is not a thing in God’s Kingdom.
Cor, we thank you for your faithfulness to our Lord, for your countless hours of service, for your integrity, reliability, dedication, loyalty, wisdom, and grace. Rest now and enjoy walking every day with Christ. We shall meet again 😊
His Master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” Mt 25:21
About Pastor Julie
I’m passionate about the church – building believers up in their faith, to be all God intended them to be; and I’m passionate about sharing the love and hope of Jesus with people who don’t know Him yet.