Ani Kartikasari

Lincoln Associate Staff

I came to New Zealand in 2003 from Indonesia to do my doctoral research at Lincoln University, where international students make up more than 60% of the postgrad population. While studying (and parenting two primary-school aged boys), I saw the need to reach out to international postgrad students. They have a common challenge of working mostly on their own research, as most have no classes to go and meet other students. I was delighted when in 2010, soon after I completed my studies, TSCF invited me to pioneer the work among postgrads at Lincoln, and the University Chaplaincy recruited me as an associate chaplain for postgraduate students.

Having been an international student myself, I understand the extra challenges in postgrad studies. It is such a privilege to walk alongside these future leaders, mostly from developing countries around the world, encouraging them to keep growing in their relationship with Jesus and to see their professional work as God’s mission field for them to share the good news of Jesus.

Since 2015 I have also been a part-time lecturer, teaching international rural development and forestry courses. I have always been interested in cross-cultural mission work, but it is beyond my wildest dreams that God would place me in this international mission field that is, so to speak, in my back yard.