Ka Karangatia e te Atua —
Called by God, Sent with Purpose
Mobilising professionals for cross-cultural missions in Asia and the Arab world, combining faith, service and practical skills.
Since 1852
Who we are
Interserve is an international, non-denominational community of over 800 partners — ordinary disciples of Jesus Christ who share the calling to join God’s redeeming and reconciling work in all of creation.
Te Riu Whakaoreore — the hull of an ocean-going waka, journeying by faith into the hard places of our world. Whakaoreore speaks of generating a movement, awakening and mobilising others, attuned to the call of the Holy Spirit.
Our bicultural journey provides a prophetic edge to our mission. As a New Zealand agency, we learn from te ao Māori and the unique relationship between te tangata whenua and the church — so we don’t repeat the common mistakes of mission wherever we go.
Learn more about usCutting edge from the start
170 years of faithful service
In 1852, Mary Anne Cooke founded a society investing in the education and medical care of women who were ostracised from society — breaking social and religious norms from its beginning. What started as wholistic ministry to upper-caste South Asian women grew into a global community.
Today Interserve works to counter human trafficking, walk alongside refugees, and assist immigrants — seeking meaningful, lasting transformation across Asia, the Arab World, and migrant communities in Aotearoa NZ.
We continually evaluate and develop new models that bring gospel transformation in Arab and Asian contexts — with humility, learning from and celebrating every culture’s unique expression of what it means to be made in the image of God.
“It took 10 years working in India before Indian colleagues expressed their loss as a result of the colonial impact… and their struggle to express their faith in an indigenous way.”
Long-term partner
Our values
Dependence on God
Everything we do flows from our dependence on God’s leading and provision.
Community & partnership
Walk alongside the Church of the nations served. Build, equip, and empower — even where it is persecuted or small.
Oneness in Christ
Battle against a dominant culture; raise the volume of those often marginalised. Celebrate every culture’s unique expression of faith.
Wholistic servanthood
Not only spiritual transformation, but physical, mental, emotional and social healing — all for the glory of God.
Your skills, God’s mission
More than preaching — it’s your whole life
Being a missionary doesn’t mean leaving your job behind — it can mean taking your job with you. From engineers and doctors to dairy farmers and grandmothers, your skills and life experience are precious gifts. No extensive theological training is required.
Placements are worked out in prayerful discussion with the NZ office, the host country team, and your local church community. There’s a pathway for everyone:
Discovery trips → Short-term placements → Long-term partnershipServe with us
Find your pathway
There’s a place for everyone — whether you’re exploring for the first time or ready to commit long-term.
2 to 4 weeks
Discovery Trips — Hundred Doors
Come and see the work firsthand. Cross-cultural experiences open your eyes to different ways of understanding how God works in His world. Listen for what He might be saying to you.
Find out more1 month to 2 years
On Track — Short-Term Placements
A team or individual placement within an existing Country Team, serving alongside long-term partners. Includes medical student placements, consultants, and returning professionals building capacity.
Find out moreLong-term commitment
Partners
Accepted by Interserve for long-term service among peoples of Asia and the Arab World — in New Zealand or overseas. Use your professional skills as catalysts for wholistic witness, funded by a team of faithful supporters.
Find out moreA growing space
Creation Care
God reveals Himself through creation. Opportunities across water, land, air and marine sectors — from groundwater research to urban ecological consultancy. New Zealand leads this work internationally.
Find out moreCreation Care
Caring for all God has made
New Zealand leads this work internationally.God reveals Himself through creation. Creation Care is essential to the gospel story — we participate with God’s overarching work to redeem all that He has made.
We have partner families working in groundwater research and urban ecological consultancy, collaborate with A Rocha and EcoChurch, and have identified specific needs across our global country teams — in water, land, air, marine sectors and across urban-rural geographies.
We are actively promoting the recruitment of people to demonstrate God’s heart of caring for His creation and people as central to the gospel.
Explore Creation CareSupport the work
Partner with us financially
Interserve (NZ) is a registered New Zealand Charity (CC11027). Partners are funded by a team of faithful, prayerful and generous supporters.
Donations for NZ-based religious workers are eligible for end-of-year tax credits. Donations towards overseas workers are not eligible for tax credits.
Give a donation →Legacy giving
Leave a lasting gift
By choosing to leave a gift to Interserve in your will, you invest in the future of God’s kingdom work.
You may wish to bequeath a specific property, a fixed sum, a percentage of your assets, or give what’s left after providing for your family and loved ones.
- Specific property or fixed sum
- Percentage of your estate
- Residual after family provisions
Get involved
Ways to connect
Monthly stories
Subscribe to email updates with stories from people living and working across Asia and the Arab World.
Prayer guide
Join in prayer and receive the Prayer Guide to support workers on the ground.
Book a kōrero
Have a conversation to explore how you might begin the mission journey.
Volunteer
Mentor others, be a church rep, help with admin or events, or do a fundraising challenge.
What’s your next step
Thinking about missions
Whether you’re just curious or ready to step in, the best way to start is a conversation. We’d love to explore how your heart fits in.
“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8