Reflecting on 50 Years of Tandem Ministries

Across New Zealand’s two islands, there are nearly 200,000 young people with questions, a desire to learn, and a need for direction. University campuses are a ripe harvest field for the gospel, and for most of the past 50 years, Tandem Ministries has focused on reaching these students. Through God’s grace, campuses have been deeply impacted. This impact wasn’t achieved by hard work alone; it took vision, discipleship, and a foundation of prayer.

Andrew Cox and Campus Ministry

Andrew Cox joined Student Life at Auckland University and later became a staff member, serving through the 1990s and as National Director from 2000 to 2004. In the mid-90s, he led a team to Waikato University to pioneer a new ministry, bringing their experiences and resources into a new environment. In 1997, as National Campus Director, Andrew directed efforts to expand by sending a team to Dunedin and ultimately establishing campus ministries in four cities by the end of the decade.

During these early years, Andrew noticed that although many students came to Christ, few remained connected to the ministry long-term. They had many who made decisions for Christ but then drifted away. To address this, Andrew and his team refocused on what they called “remaining fruit”—ensuring that those who came to faith continued growing and stayed connected. They introduced tools to track discipleship and monitor growth. For Andrew, true fruitfulness in campus ministry was about spiritual multiplication, raising up disciples who would, in turn, make more disciples. For him, success meant not only winning students to Christ but also creating a legacy of faithful, multiplying disciples.

Multiplying Disciples Through Relationships and Prayer

2 Timothy 2:2 says, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” This principle of spiritual multiplication has taken root on New Zealand’s campuses through friendships, Action Group Bible Studies, and other relationships that extend beyond university. While discipleship is essential, prayer is the true force driving this ministry forward.

Jeremy Carroll and Auckland University

Jeremy Carroll and his wife, Lani, led the Student Life team at Auckland University for 12 years. Reflecting on those first few years, Jeremy remembers the challenges they faced. In each of the first three years, over 60 students made decisions for Christ, yet only eight remained involved by year’s end. This pattern frustrated Jeremy, and he recognized a need for change. After consulting with his team, they decided to shift focus in two key areas: spending more time with new believers during the initial term of outreach and prioritizing prayer as a team.

As they entered the next year with these changes, students became increasingly passionate about prayer, and the ministry saw immediate results. By year’s end, 24 students who had accepted Christ remained actively involved, and by 2017, that number grew to 51. Jeremy realized that ministry must align with God’s priorities, and that prayer cannot be left to chance. For Jeremy, fruitful ministry required an intentional focus on Jesus’ mission to seek and save the lost, with prayer at the center.

A Harvest Through Vision, Discipleship, and Prayer

Through the combined power of vision, discipleship, and prayer, students across New Zealand’s cities are encountering Christ. Fruitfulness in campus ministry, as in all areas of life, ultimately comes through Jesus, who brings true transformation to hearts and communities.