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Onslow Community Church Camp

Onslow Community Church enjoyed an encouraging time together at their church camp over the past weekend at Foxton Bible Camp.Pastor Peter Rhodes-Robinson writes:“We were thrilled to have Kerry & Aliza Rickard (Kingston Community Church) and Ray & Glenys Cooper (York Street Chapel) with us for the weekend. Kerry shared a series of messages from Colossians 3:1-17 linking into our 2025 teaching theme of “Living Hope” (1 Peter 1:3). Kerry’s sessions were followed by all-age discussio...

Missions Retreat and IBCM's Director Visit

David Smith is the International Director of the IBCM network. IBCM is a global movement working amongst 40,000+ independent Open Brethren Heritage churches in 160+ countries. The heart of the IBCM is to see independent churches and church leaders working together to point more people to Jesus through the gospel from the Bible. It’s been remarkable hearing of younger leaders from movements like ours in Africa, Asia, and South America coming together to work together to mobi...

Fellowship of the Word - Waikato

10 people from four churches (Chapel Hill Community Church, Hillcrest Chapel, Raleigh Street Christian Centre, and Manawarū Bible Chapel) gathered at Chapel Hill last Friday and Saturday for the Fellowship of the Word training. ...

100 Years of Christian Camping

At the recent Christian Camping Hui, Graham Ashby launched the book 100 Years of Christian Camping, which is in its final stages of editing and design before being printed.Graham is very grateful to the Trusts that initiated this project and the excellent team that has worked with him during the last two years. Graham says, “I was pleased to acknowledge the importance of having this Christian camping history as a powerful reminder of what our pioneers established”....

Christ-like confrontation

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ AmbassadorNui atu toku maia ki te korero ki a koutou, nui atu toku whakamanamana mo koutou: ki tonu ahau i te whakamarie, hira ake toku koa i o matou matenga katoa.‘Ou te tautala atu ‘iā te ‘outou ma le mautinoa; ‘ua tele lo‘u mitamita ‘ona o ‘outou. ‘Ua fa‘atūmuina a‘u i le loto tele; ‘ua fa‘atūmuina a‘u i le ‘oli‘oli i o matou puapuagā uma lava.I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; i...

Carriers: Leadership Development in Community

Riccarton Community Church (RCC) runs a programme called Carriers, a one-year leadership development commitment designed to fit around a day-a-week schedule.Carriers is short for 'Carriers of the Vision', with the idea that participants are engaged in the church's vision "to see our city become a place of Christ's transforming hope for the world". Typically this includes a half day of service in a ministry, their regular class times, reading, and reflection.Carriers interns t...

Headspace Interns

Last week, Scolarships Enabler Liz Hodge and South Island Enabler Tim Hoge visited Headspace interns in Christchurch.Headspace is the programme GC3 relaunched this year. It’s a residential 10-month programme that combines theological studies, involvement with local mission outreaches, and two months with long-term missionaries overseas.  The four interns for 2025 (pictured below) are Sarah Jensen and Lizzie Nepia from Crossroads ...

Yes, No

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ AmbassadorWhakamoemititia a Ihowa. E toku wairua, whakamoemititia a Ihowa. I ahau e ora nei ka whakamoemiti ahau ki a Ihowa; ka himene ahau ki toku Atua i ahau i te ao nei.Ia outou vivii atu ia Ioa. Lo‘u agaga e, ia e vivii atu ia Ieova. Ou te vivii atu ia Ieova a o ou ola; ou te fai pesega i lo‘u Atua a o ou tumau i le ola nei.Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.Psalm 146:1-2The in...

Children's Ministry Training in Christchurch and Wellington

Children’s ministry volunteers from Emmett Street Community Church, Halswell Community Church and Rutland Street Church in Christchurch gathered in early March for a workshop run by Julie McKinnon (CCCNZ Children and Family Ministries Enabler), that explored how our understanding of children shapes our ministry practice....

Waikato NZ Rally Camp

Last weekend, around 180 kids and 60 leaders gathered at Tōtara Springs Christian Centre for a NZ Rally Camp.Nikki McBride and Micah Church (The Orchard Rallies) led the Rally leaders. The theme this year was the Olympics. Ray Cooper (York Street Chapel) and Anthony Samuels (Tāmaki Community Church) followed this theme in their Bible exploring sessions. Ray spoke to the younger kids and Anthony to the older kids. Caleb Mills from ...

Crossroads Latino Launch

It's 7pm on Saturday night, I'm at Crossroads Church in Palmerston North with 70 other people. We're singing, praying and listening to the sermon in Español—all for the launch of Crossroads Latino, a monthly Spanish-language service. It was such a joy to see my EA Paula Almada (and other volunteers and Crossroads staff) lead the group in worshipping together.Paula, along with her husband Saverio Malgeri, her sister Ana Almada, and brother-in-law Ma...

Deepening faith and service through practical theological learning

Ane Ponifasio and Dolly Kirubakaran from LifeChurch, along with Joy Fountain from Eden Church in Auckland, are together studying part-time as a cohort toward the Level 6 Diploma in Christian Studies (Christian Leadership) through Pathways Bible College.On Friday last week, they gathered for a block course day in Auckland, facilitated by Richard Goodwin (from Raleigh Street Christian Centre).These students are now in their second year of...

Churches Camping

I mentioned last week I wanted to share with you more about the Camping Hui held in Auckland last weekend....

Step One: Fly the plane

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ AmbassadorI whakawhirinaki o matou matua ki a koe, i whakawhirinaki, a whakaorangia ana e koe.Na faatuatua ia te oe o matou tamā; na latou faatuatua, ua e laveai foi ia te i latou.In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.Psalm 22:4When pilots face mid-air emergencies, they’re provided with a checklist for steps to follow. They have a list of steps to take, in order, that should result in the fewest accidents and casualties. What I found fa...

Manawatū NZ Rally Camp

Close to 200 kids and leaders attended the Manawatū NZ Rally Camp last weekend at Forest Lakes Camping and Conference Centre.NZ Rally CEO Tony Foster said everyone got to hear the gospel message through Ray Cooper (York Street Chapel) in the hall known as the Sharing Shed. ...

God of Nations

CCCNZ South Island Enabler Tim Hodge, visited Bryndwr Chapel in Christchurch and he shares:"It was an honour to be with Bryndwr Chapel last Sunday; such a marvellous spread for church lunch! It was good to meet Felix Chai (elder) and Andrei Popa, who are both involved in spreading God's Word in other languages."Andrei Popa is one of the leaders of Grace Romanian Church, a Romanian language Sunday afternoon congregation which last Sunday started meetin...

Next Training: Lower North Island

What a joy to see more than 20 young adults come together last weekend from Ingestre Street Church (Whanganui), Kingston Community Church (Palmerston North), Church on Vogel (Palmerston North), New Plymouth Community Church, and Feilding Bible Chapel. The group met at Highland Home Christian Camp for the first ever Next Training: Lower North Island. Next Training is designed to follow on from First Training, and is a space for young adu...

The anchor of God's grace

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ AmbassadorKo te Atua hoki nana nei i ki te marama kia whiti i roto i te pouri, kua whiti ki roto ki o matou ngakau, hei homai i te marama o te matauranga o te kororia o te Atua i te mata o Ihu Karaiti.Auā o le Atua lava o lē na fetalai atu, “ ‘Ia pupula mai le malamalama mai le pouliuli,” na pupula mai i o matou loto ‘ina ‘ia malamalama, e iloa ai le mamalu o le Atua i fofoga o Keriso.For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine ...

Church-based Internships at Kingston Community Church

Left to right: JC Marais (CCCNZ Operations), Rebecca Treanor (KCC intern), Jed Meads (KCC Youth Coordinator & intern), Shanae Rickard (KCC intern), Kerry Rickard (KCC Discipleship Pastor), Raewyn Meads (KCC Office Manager), and Ray-Anne Cahill (CCCNZ Accounts and Team Support). On Friday the Palmy-based CCCNZ staff team joined the Kingston Community Church team for lunch. It was great to hear how interns Rebecca Treanor, Jed Meads and Shanae Rickard&nb...

Baptisms in Hamilton and Palmerston North

I’m so encouraged to see more and more young people being baptised around New Zealand!Last Sunday, Anna and Dominique were baptised at Hukanui Bible Church in Hamilton, and Sarah was baptised at Kingston Community Church in Palmerston North....

Encouragements in Southland

Tim Hodge, CCCNZ South Island Enabler, was in Southland this week. He said there is much to thank God for in Southland and shared this snapshot from his visit:“Hayden Hillas, elder with Elles Road Bible Chapel in Invercargill, is rejoicing in their recent church camp at Lakeland Park Camp, Queenstown, with Bible teaching brought from Simeon Dudley from Takapuna Bible Church (Auckland). “This coming weekend Rosedale Bible Chapel in Invercargil...

Is your basket empty?

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ AmbassadorMe Rutu Moapi hoki me te wahine a Maharono, kua hokona mai ia e ahau hei wahine maku, hei whakaara ingoa ake mo te tupapaku ki tona kainga tupu, kei hautopea atu te ingoa o te tupapaku i roto i ona teina, i te kuwaha ano o tona wahi; ko koutou n ga kaititiro i tenei ra.o Ruta foi le fafine Moapi, le avā a Maalona, ua ou faatau ia te ia e fai ma‘u avā, e faatumau ai le igoa o le ua oti i lona tofi, ia le galo le igoa o le ua oti ai lona au uso, ma le faitotoa o ...

Canterbury Catch-up

On Wednesday, the CCCNZ Board met at Rutland Street Church in Christchurch. While there, it was a delight to chat with Lance Robinson and Dave Gow from Word of Life and to meet others in the South Island team who work from the Rutland Street Campus.It was also great to have Kristopher Bate from The Embassy @ North Beach, Andre Posthuma from Emmett Street Community Church, Liz Hodge (Scholarships) from ...

Stewards' visit to the Manawatū and Horowhenua

On Sunday night I joined fellow Feilding Bible Chapel elders Lindsay Rowe and Gary Gilpin to meet with Stephen Munn (Stewards' Trust Chair) and Jeff Orr (Stewards' Senior Executive Officer). It was encouraging to hear of Stewards’ heart to be supporting churches in the development of their properties and their desire to support church planting in the future.It was also exciting to hear that due to a bequest, Stewards' has set up ...

Baptism in New Plymouth Community Church

It was so encouraging to hear that 14-year-old Ash was baptised on Sunday at New Plymouth Community Church (NPCC).NPCC Youth Pastor Jake Moir shares:“It was such an honour to baptise Ash. We met him and his family through our Rally program, and he now attends our High School youth group, and attends church with his family.“Ash is an infectious young person who has already drawn a stack of his mates into church to hear about Jesus for the first time. Can't wait to see how ...