Janine - New Zealand

Nickname: J9

Life didn't really seem to exist before I was saved - it was a 'Ho Hum' sort of exsistence, but for some reason I knew that that was all going to change when I left my home city and headed off to University - Mission: to become the person I wanted to be, and to truly commit to God.

A new friend at University challenged me how I knew I was a Christian - "Because I'm a good person, and I haven't killed anybody!" was my reply. My dear friend then challenged me, "What about Jesus?!" I was confused, "What about Jesus? He's just the baby that sits on Mary's lap? What's so important about Him!?" She then proceeded to explain that without believing that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for our sins and He rose again after 3 days - and that if you didn't repent of your sins and ask God's forgiveness that you would not be saved! Uggh! Finally the light came on - and I suddenly felt cheated!! All my life I thought I'd be going to heaven for being a "goody two shoes" and here I was heading for hell! Why hadn't anyone told me this before!!!

Since then, my life adventure truly has begun!! It's been super challenging at times, but I know that Jesus is the only way to heaven and no one can come to the Father except through Him!! I have a passion to tell people about this great news, they must at least be told - that's Jesus' final command - GO!

How does photography fit into the 'Big Picture?' I laugh when people ask me this and reply, "Let's say I fell into it!!" I then become serious and say, "Literally!"

In 2002, a major mountain biking injury changed my life direction. My understanding of, and my ability to share, the Gospel was unleashed. The doors slowly opened for a career in photography as I began my recovery (another story of God's grace!).

I am now a freelance photographer and have a passion to help people know more about Jesus. It gives me so much joy to join evangelists in my city to share the Good News to the people in our nation of Aotearoa, New Zealand. As a member of VIJC evangelists, I cover advertising and event photography...an 'evange'tographer' for Jesus!