Written by: TWR Africa
Article source: JOY! Magazine
When a woman in Phoenix, Arizona, told 21-year-old Andy Schick that he’d be married within the year, it felt unlikely. He hadn’t met anyone remotely interesting. But on a short visit home to New Zealand, he met Kate. Weeks later, he told her, “I’m due to go back to the States, but you seem worth sticking around for. Do you think there’s a shot of us getting married?” Her reply – “I reckon. Let’s see where this goes” – would lead them to the altar by 31 December, fulfilling the bold prophecy.
Only later did Andy realise it was more than a chance encounter – it was a sign of God’s authorship over his life. 20 years later, he sensed that same divine leading when he was invited to become the next president and CEO of TWR, the global Gospel media ministry reaching 200+ countries in 300+ languages.
Andy Schick
Following God’s lead
“In many ways, it felt like God had been pointing to this for a long time,” Andy shared. “I’m not filled with confidence in myself, but I am filled with confidence that God is in this conversation.”
Appointed after an international executive search, Schick succeeds Lauren Libby, who led TWR faithfully for 16 years.
Rooted in the Gospel, driven by innovation
Andy’s calling combines a deep heart for ministry with a strong grasp of technology. He was raised in a Christian home in rural New Zealand, not far from where The Lord of the Rings was filmed. His grandfather was a scholar of mathematics, the Bible, and Greek, and his mother co-founded the Christian school he attended. As a child, Andy joined his family on mission trips, later serving in Thailand, the Philippines, and Fiji.
Rather than follow a traditional university path, he studied at Hillsong Leadership College in Australia, launching street outreach teams. After marrying Kate, he moved into the tech sector, teaching himself programming, networking, and cybersecurity. He built a tech company from scratch, sold it to a major internet provider, and became their marketing director. Later, he helped lead New Zealand’s $200 million “Network for Learning” initiative, delivering fibre internet to every school in the country.
He’s since held senior executive roles in several companies, served as managing director of a leading creative agency, and worked in technology and revenue transformation at World Vision. Most recently, he was a board member and adviser to Reach Beyond – a partner ministry of TWR.
Schick family | Photo: Libby Robinson
A leader for the times
TWR board chairman Jeff Jones called Schick’s appointment “nothing less than a direct answer to prayer”. “The board decided early that we needed a leader who could harness emerging technologies to expand TWR’s ability to reach ever-growing audiences,” he said.
Interim president Cassius Smith added, “Andy is creative and brilliant. He brings fresh energy and insight, and I believe he will bring exciting innovation to a ministry that must keep its eyes on the future.”
Though based in New Zealand, Andy will travel extensively and work closely with TWR’s leadership in North Carolina, where a strong COO will provide local operational oversight.
Why TWR still matters
When asked why believers should partner with TWR, Andy didn’t hesitate: “TWR was pushing boundaries 70 years ago, and it’s still doing it today. It’s innovative, entrepreneurial, and deeply rooted in God’s heart. It strives to be effective, not just excellent – and I think it does a really good job at both.”
As for radio, Andy is still a believer. “Radio is incredibly relevant for millions of people around the world. The engagement stats show it’s still doing the heavy lifting in reaching the unreached.”
But he also has a firm eye on the digital frontier. “I’m a fan of radio, but I’m also a fan of doing whatever works to get the Gospel out. I look forward to helping TWR navigate the space between traditional and digital media to bring lasting spiritual impact.”
Bravery, trust, and transformation
Looking ahead, Andy’s hope for TWR is not only strategic, but spiritual. “My prayer is that we develop bravery and trust as we go forward. Change is scary for most people – it can make us irritable or defensive. But if we choose trust, we can build a strong sense of community, even in uncertain times.”
He adds, “I pray for wisdom in developing relationships with leaders and staff. Yes, reaching the unreached is vital. But so is the health and unity of TWR. I see my role as enabling people to care deeply about the mission. Success, for me, is when someone wakes up every morning thinking about the audience God has entrusted to them – and feels completely supported to do their job well.”
This article is featured in the September issue of JOY! Magazine. Read a digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
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Date published: 28/08/2025
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only.
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