Story perspectives

Former Missouri Pastor Leads NZ Parish, Fleeing LGBTQ Discrimination

6/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Rev Adam Baker was commissioned yesterday as minister of the Dunedin Methodist Parish in New Zealand after moving his family from Missouri to escape growing LGBTQ discrimination.
The family includes his wife Jenn and four queer-identifying children aged 18, 15, 13 and 11.
Baker, a former St Louis pastor, chose the Methodist Church of New Zealand because it has been inclusive since the 1990s and aligns with his mission to welcome disenfranchised people.

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Story summary

Rev Adam Baker was commissioned yesterday as minister of the Dunedin Methodist Parish in New Zealand after moving his family from Missouri to escape growing LGBTQ discrimination.
The family includes his wife Jenn and four queer-identifying children aged 18, 15, 13 and 11.
Baker, a former St Louis pastor, chose the Methodist Church of New Zealand because it has been inclusive since the 1990s and aligns with his mission to welcome disenfranchised people.