MINISTRY APPRENTICESHIPS
Raising up disciple-making disciples.
We seek to multiply gospel workers to win the world for Christ through ministry apprenticeships. An apprenticeship gives people a taste of ministry life while continually growing in the knowledge and love of God and his people. It is a key way to train individuals before helping them to decide on the next step in their ministry.
Cornerstone ministry apprenticeships are full-time allowing for apprentices to focus exclusively on ministry work under the supervision of a trainer. Depending on individual circumstances, we structure the duration of the apprenticeship to be two or three years. We recognise there are different pressures at different stages of life, and so we work with young or old to make their training as achievable and effective as possible.
Apprentices are paid a living allowance to free them up for full-time ministry. They are required to fundraise for this allowance and receive training in how to fundraise.
Current apprentices
James Caughley
James grew up in a nurturing Christian environment, but it wasn’t until he left high school that the gospel really started to have a profound impact on his life. Through the influence of close friends and the ministry of Campus Church, the gospel shifted from something he knew about to something that made sense at a heart level. The realisation that Jesus’ work assures salvation transformed him; the gospel was no longer a moral burden, but something to cherish.
He enjoys meeting with young men on the university campus to read the Bible and disciple them in their love of God. James also oversees music ministry and Sunday gatherings under the leadership of our Magnification Pastor, working to shape a culture at Cornerstone that expresses the greatness of God.
Ben Epton
Ben became a Christian during his first year at university, where God put Christians on his path who shared the love of God with him. A ministry apprentice from Campus Church met with him to share Jesus’ life: that Jesus is God; that he died in place of people like Ben, who were spiritually dead; and that we can have new lives in God’s family, celebrating his victory over our sin and death forever.
Ben has seen the way God builds his church through people who teach his Word, and has a strong desire to invest in the same ministry that caught him. He loves being an active part of mission and discipleship at the University of Canterbury through the work of Campus Church and longs to see his testimony multiplied to many.
2026 apprentices
Saskia Riedel
I’m Saskia Riedel, and I’m thrilled to be one of the 2026 Ministry Apprentices at Cornerstone Church! I’m the second eldest of four children to Paul and Kim Riedel and grew up in Taupō—back when it was much smaller than it is today.
After completing my Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education at the University of Waikato in 2021, I moved to Christchurch to begin teaching and, in late 2022, walked into Cornerstone Campus Church. My faith was deeply shaped there as the Bible was opened week by week. The hunger I’d always had for God’s Word was finally being satisfied.
I’m so thankful for the way Cornerstone equips people to read and understand Scripture for themselves, which has strengthened my own walk with the Lord. Having seen the transforming power of the gospel in my own life, I want to help others know that same love. This apprenticeship will help me grow in love for God and his church, and equip me to steward the gospel for life. I’d love you to partner with me—in prayer and finance—to see God’s church grow.
Tim Preston-Marshall
I’m Tim Preston-Marshall, married to the wonderful Rose, and absolutely chuffed to be one of the 2026 Ministry Apprentices at Cornerstone Church! Working in ministry has been a dream of mine since university, where I first came to understand my need for the gospel and began to see how deeply our nation needs it too.
Since 2020 I’ve had the privilege of learning, growing, and serving my church alongside my study and work. After two years working as an engineer, I now have the opportunity to focus more fully on serving God’s Word and His church through this apprenticeship.
The gospel has transformed my life, and I’m eager to see others come to know the same grace and hope in Jesus. This apprenticeship is a chance to dive deeper into ministry, grow in love for God and His people, and be equipped for a lifetime of sharing the gospel. I’d love you to partner with me—in prayer and finance—as we work together to see God’s church grow.
Be part of growing the next generation of gospel leaders
You can partner in raising up future gospel leaders by giving directly to an individual’s support fund, or to the Future Gospel Leaders Fund. Together they provide for those in training now and help grow the next generation of gospel workers for Aotearoa.
Expressions of interest
If you think a ministry apprenticeship might be for you, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Nick Duke.