International students in Nelson long enjoyed the blessing Jonathan and his wife Meredith brought through their leadership and coordination of the Nelson volunteer team. After a battle with Cancer, Meredith died in late 2023, leaving Jonathan to continue serving on his own. Jonathan started out studying Engineering at Canterbury University, then working 14 years as an Engineer in Hamilton, Nelson, and overseas. Living and travelling in numerous Asian countries has fostered Jonathan's passion to love and serve internationals who come to our land.

In 2005 on return from a year spent in Kyrgyzstan, Jonathan and Meredith started helping with Operation Friendship in Nelson, a ministry which provides friendship and Christian outreach to international students. In 2010 Jonathan left his Engineering work to become a full-time worker in Nelson with ISMNZ.

Jonathan's desire is to be available to serve in ways that help others prosper and grow in their journey while they are here in New Zealand.

Jonathan loves working with others to create spaces and opportunities for international students and workers to feel welcomed, loved, connected, and call home by providing homestay/ hostel accommodation, cultural and hospitality events, friendship and English language events, mentoring, and Bible study groups.