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Clarke Road and NorthCross Meeting at Marsdon Bay

We love to see churches working together to support each other—here Clark Road Chapel in Whangārei is supported at their church camp by Northcross Church in Auckland, who sent pastor Andrew Neville as a speaker.Has your church partnered with another church for ministry and mission? We’d love to hear about it!...

Two Churches at One Campsite

The dining hall in the Willow Park Convention Center was full last Saturday. Lunch and afternoon tea proved to be popular times for two church groups to meet up.Manurewa Bible Church family camp and thirteen Howick Community Church leaders connecting for their governance training workshop have been hosted by the camp staff.Four of the HCC leaders are pictured. (Right hand side) Graham Luey, chair of the elders said “we are three boards aiming for one direction”. Next to Graham are Brigi...

Coopers Beach Camp Working with Churches

The Coopers Beach Camp trustees meeting together. Above, from left: William Savill, Vince Mason, Lynley Fleming, and Reg Carr. Below, from left: Reg Carr, Craig Johnson, Mike Flay and Andy Fleming (standing in for John Aish)...

The Cyclone - One Month on in Hastings

Maria Henderson, from Riverbend Bible Church, writes:"One month on from the cyclone clean-up, much has been done, but there is still a lot to do."I am the sort of person who likes networking and connecting people. Early on I saw that there were plenty of places to serve, and many people wanting to serve, but they don't always know where to start."So, for the last four weeks I have been working with others to go for drives, following leads and knocking on doors, aski...

The Lamb of God

"I te aonga ake ka kite ia i a Ihu e haere ana mai ki a ia, ka mea, na, te Reme a te Atua, hei waha atu i te hara o te ao!"“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! "“Silasila i le tama‘i mamoe a le Atua na te ‘ave‘esea le agasala a le lalolagi!"—John 1:29From the very centre of Jewish power in Jerusalem to the poorest town on the outskirts of the nation, the air was charged with expectations about the Messiah. After four hundred years of silence, and without any s...

Starting the year with prayer

It’s always encouraging for me to hear of churches that set aside time at the beginning of the year to focus on prayer.Starting this way reminds us of the One to whom we pray and the One we are to behold. We are reminded that for all our abilities and good intentions, we are desperate for Him in the life of the Church and beyond.Whether it’s a teaching series on prayer or a corporate prayer day, whether it's a prayer and fasting period or a prayer and worship session, let’s continue to see...

Hui Brings Camps Together

On Friday night, forty-five leaders gathered at the heritage Brethren Christian Camping Hui, held at Silverstream Retreat in Lower Hutt, Wellington. Twenty-one out of the 23 campsites across our movement had at least one trustee in attendance.One goal of the Hui was to discuss how can we work together better as campsites, together with the churches in our regions, to point people to Jesus through the gospel from the Scriptures. Thank you to our wonderful hosts, George Ross, owner and director of...

Meet Dorothy

Let me introduce you to Dorothy (above) from Hope Community Church in Nelson.Every year, Dorothy has made batches of relish for her church family's missions fundraising barbecue.Dorothy has done this for about twenty years. Bit by bit, and year by year, Dorothy has ended up raising over $46,000 for global missions. Dorothy, we are all grateful for your example of using what you have, where you are to serve God’s global purposes. You are a beautiful reminder that small things done well over lo...

Who is He?

A ka ui ratou ki a ia, Tena, pehea? Ko Iraia koe? Ka mea ia, Kahore. Ko te poropiti oti koe? Ka whakahokia e ia, Kahore. Na ka mea ratou ki a ia, Ko wai koia koe? Hei kupu whakahoki ma matou ki te hunga i tonoa mai ai matou. E pehea ano koe ki a koe?They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?...

Back to School

By CCCNZ Children and Family Ministries Enabler Julie McKinnonIt has been great to hear of churches celebrating children and young people as the school year begins. This is being done is a variety of ways.Jake Moir at New Plymouth Community Church posted their blessing prayer on the church's Facebook page as an encouragement to teachers and children as they returned to school.“On Sunday we prayed this prayer for those in our church heading back to school and contributing to the education of ou...

Churches Reaching Children and Families

It is a Sunday morning, and community kids who have come into relationship with their local churches through Rally are having what might be their first taste of being on a boat, shooting air rifles and hearing the good news of Jesus.What a delight it was to be at the Manawatū Regional Rally Camp. It was such a privilege to join Aaron Campbell from Bunnythorpe, Graeme Honore from Queen Street Gospel Chapel in Levin and Gavin Ander from Whanganui as they helped children—many for the first time�...

New Staff at Churches

CCCNZ Youth Enabler Murray Brown would like to introduce us to Brad Shepherd (above) who leads the youth ministry at Chapel Hill Community Church alongside his friend Daniel Airey.Murray comments: “It is always inspiring to meet impressive young leaders like Brad who willingly use their time to give to others what they themselves received during their time in youth group." ...

Sober-minded

"Heoi whitikiria nga hope o o koutou hinengaro, kia mataara, tumanako atu, a taea noatia te mutunga, ki te aroha noa e kawea mai ki a koutou a te whakakitenga mai o Ihu Karaiti.""Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."—1 Peter 1:13It is an unsettling time for the church in New Zealand. People are on the move, displaced. They are shut out of their homes and living with re...

Frustration and Faith

"Ki te tino kaiwhakatangi. He himene na Rawiri. Kia pehea te roa o tou wareware ki ahau, e Ihowa?" "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?"—Psalm 13:1 Frustration and faith. Full-throated frustration and full-blooded faith. As it turns out, both frustration and faith can be felt at the same time. God is there, in our frustration and in our faith. He hears us. In the first two verses of Psalm 13, frustration erupts.Frustration: "God, I feel forgotten by you." Frustration: "God, I feel unse...

Cyclone News: Churches Working Together

This week it’s been a profound privilege to hear of churches working together in the state of emergency to care for one another and ultimately point people to Jesus through the gospel from the scriptures.We’ve seen so many examples of generosity and creativity as churches have strengthened relationships through the cyclone's destruction.In fact, some relationships didn’t exist before this week, beginning when individuals extended or needed support.At the Orchard Church in Te Puke, members ...

Whose We Are

"Na Pita, he apotoro na Ihu Karaiti, ki te hunga whiriwhiri e noho manene ana i Ponoto, i Karatia, i Kaporokia, i Ahia, i Pitinia, He hunga kua oti te whiriwhiri, te pera ano me ta te Atua Matua i matau ai i mua, i runga i te whakatapunga a te Wairua, kia ngohengohe, kia tauhiuhia ki nga toto o Ihu Karaiti: Kia whakanuia ki a koutou te aroha noa, me te rangimarie. "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,...

Churches and Campsites Working Together

From left to right: Daryl Bay, Peter Somervell and Greig Caigou.Our heart as a team is to serve churches by working together to point people to Jesus through the gospel from the Scriptures.For this reason, it was a real joy to receive this photo from Daryl Bay at Hope Community Church in Nelson. Daryl Bay, a pastor at Hope Community Church, Peter Somervell, a pastor at Grace Church, Richmond and Greig Caigou, a pastor at Tasman Church are praying about and planning a combined outdoor Easter Sund...

God is Calling us

"Na ka puta mai te kupu a Ihowa, he mea na Hakai poropiti; i ki ia, Ko ta koutou wa ianei tenei, e mea ma, e noho ai i o koutou whare kua oti nei to roto hipoki, i te mea he ururua tenei whare?""Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 'Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?'"—Haggai 1:3-4I have spent most of my free time over the last four or five weeks painting my house. It might be part of the re...

In Times of Trouble

"Ko te Atua to tatou piringa, to tatou kaha; he kaiawhina e tino tata ana i nga wa o te he." "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."—Psalm 46:1 You may have seen posters with these words written on them in beautiful calligraphy. You might have been tempted to think that these soothing words spring from a place of calm, quiet contemplation.But look with me at verses two and three. The earth collapses, mountains crash into the ocean, the seas howl and fo...

Good News

"Na ka mea te anahera ki a ratou, Kaua e mataku: ta te mea he kaikauwhau tenei ahau ki a koutou mo te hari nui, meake puta mai ki te iwi katoa".  "But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people".—Luke 2:10This same good news that Luke writes about has traveled across history and around the world. I am continually drawn to reflect upon the incredible 1800-year journey of the good news from its origin in Isr...

In the Beginning

"I te timatanga te Kupu, i te Atua te Kupu, ko te Atua ano te Kupu.I te Atua ano tenei Kupu i te timatanga.Nana nga mea katoa i hanga; kahore hoki tetahi mea i kore te hanga e ia o nga mea i hanga.I a ia te ora; ko te ora te marama mo nga tangata.I roto i te pouri te marama e whiti ana; heoi kihai i mau i te pouri". "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him n...

The Cross at Christmas

"Ko te ingoa o te wahine ko Meri.Na, ko tona haerenga ki roto, ki a ia, ka mea, Tena koe, e te wahine kua manakohia nei; kei a koe te Ariki: ko koe te manaakitia i roto i nga wahine".  "The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you”.— Luke 1: 27b-28 JD Greear drew something out of Luke chapter one that has struck me deeply. He said in a sermon:"Mary has just been told she i...

Theology Matters

"E u ana te pupuri i te kupu pono i whakaakona atu na, kia taea ai e ia, i te mea ka tika nei tana whakaako, te whakahauhau, te turaki ano i ta te hunga e totohe mai ana". "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it".— Titus 1:9 Cretans are wild. The Cretan Church is the wild west! Wild living, wild times, and wild teaching.Across the Cretan house churches, wild ...

This Christmas is better than that Christmas

"Na ka mea te anahera ki a ia, Kei wehi koe, e Meri; kua paingia hoki koe e te Atua". "But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God". — Luke 1:28 How good is the first Christmas?In Luke 1:26-38 a celestial being, sent from God's presence, speaks to a teenager betrothed to a descendant of King David.The promises are startling:You will conceive.You will give birth to a Son.He will be great.He will be given the throne of David....

Longings fulfilled in Jesus

"In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;let me never be put to shame;deliver me in your righteousness.Turn your ear to me,come quickly to my rescue;be my rock of refuge,a strong fortress to save me.Since you are my rock and my fortress,for the sake of your name lead and guide me.Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,for you are my refuge.Into your hands I commit my spirit;deliver me, Lord, my faithful God".— Psalm 31:1-5I am so deeply moved by how profoundly these l...