From Technician to Ministry
For retired Army radio technician Greg Lochmann, travelling twice a month from Ngaruawahia to the Hamilton markets has become a meaningful routine.
The 65‑year‑old joins fellow volunteer Herbert Hopkins to give out free religious books and speak with people about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Lochmann said the number of books they distribute depends heavily on the weather.
“If the weather is wet, cold, or foggy, people are not very engaged. Maybe we give out about 20 books,” he said. “If the weather is warm and sunny, people are more engaged. We might give out over 50.”
The two Seventh‑day Adventist believers set up their stall on the first and third Sunday of every month, whenever the markets are running.
Hopkins has been part of this book‑giving ministry for more than a decade, while Lochmann joined four years ago. He loves giving free books to people in Hamilton and says he is now getting better at it.
“We give out the books and talk to people to spread the gospel of Jesus and his offer of salvation,” he said. “The gospel was freely given to us, and it is our role to spread it freely to the world.”
Lochmann joined the ministry after he was baptised and believes Christians are called to be disciples who share the gospel. He often reflects on Mark 16:15–20, which commands believers to “go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
The stall offers a range of popular Christian books, many well known within the Seventh‑day Adventist community. Lochmann said people often choose titles such as the King James Version, Steps to Christ, The Great Controversy, and The Desire of Ages. He says these books often spark meaningful conversations with people passing through the market.
His goal for this free book ministry remains the same: to share hope, faith, and the message of salvation with anyone willing to listen.
Before retirement, Lochmann worked as an electronics and radio technician. He served in the New Zealand Army from 1979 to 1989 as a radio technician. After leaving the Army, he spent 13 years with Scott Technical Instruments, building and servicing automatic weather stations across New Zealand and installing hydrology instruments both locally and in Fiji.
Today, Lochmann no longer works in the field. He spends most of his time at home and earns income through the stock exchange. He lives alone; his two grown sons, Harold and James, are both married and living in Auckland.
He said they know about the market ministry, have visited the stall, and appreciate their father’s work. After a cold winter, the duo is looking forward to more books and more conversations in the warmer months ahead.
