It's exciting to hear so many stories this week of how churches, camps and ministries have been partnering together over the school holidays to share the good news about Jesus with children, young people and their families!
Whitiora Bible Church and Kakariki Christian Camp
On Monday night, CCCNZ Camping Enabler Richard Davis and Ian McBride (Lichfield Lands) met with Whitiora Bible Church elders.
From left to right: Winston McEwan, Wayne Clarke, Andrew Forlong, Saia Kokohu, Fetu Latu, Isi Latu, and Ian McBride.
Richard says, “The Whitiora Bible Church has a long-standing relationship with Karakariki Christian Camp and the eldership of the church was keen to hear more of the vision of the camping project.
“It was also an opportunity to hear of the vision of Whitiora Bible Church as they seek to outreach in their own community.
“Hearing of the blessing Wayne Clarke has been to Karakariki Camp since its inception was encouraging and humbling.”
Christian Camping is an awesome place to accelerate your Community Outreach. If you’d like to discuss further how camping can serve your church, please get in touch with Richard Davis.
Willow Park Kids Camp
Willow Park Christian Centre hosted a Kids Camp during the school holidays. Leaders and campers came from Tāmaki Community Church, Mt Wellington Community Church, Auckland Bible Church, and other local churches.
Although there are usually around 120 leaders and campers, they were encouraged to see the kids' camp grow close to 150 people.
Willow Park Ministry Lead Jerome Edwards writes,
“No matter how healthy or broken they come, in every camp around the country God works 24/7 in the four days they are there and after. I’m reminded in 1 John 4:18 that there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. It is this love that has an impact on our kids and God continues to move in a special way with our leaders and campers.”
New Plymouth Community Church Kids Camp
New Plymouth Community Church (NPCC) partnered with a team from Word of Life to host a three day kids camp.
Pastor Brian Ropitini writes,
“The team were amazing, worked tirelessly and developed wonderful relationships with all the children that attended.
“The best part of course is that the children got to experience the love of Jesus through the team loving them in action and hearing about God’s love over the three days through Bible stories.”
Brian comments about the positive reaction they had from parents and children. He also highlights the amazing support from the church, with people opening their homes to receive billets or donating food generously.
Some youth from NPCC and another local church were engaged to help the Word of Life team and to be encouraged by them.
Kids Camps at Tōtara Springs
Tōtara Springs Christian Centre hosted the Autumn Senior and Junior Kids Camps during the school holidays. Ministry Manager Werner Du Plessis says, “These camps are a vibrant testament to the transformative power of faith and fellowship.”
Campers came from various churches, including Matamata Bible Church, Lifezone Church, Agora Church, The Orchard Church, Hukanui Bible Church, and Te Awamutu Bible Chapel.
Werner highlights the profound impact on the spiritual growth of our young campers as the most significant outcome of the camps. 72 Bibles were handed out at the Kids Camp and 22 at the Junior Kids Camp.
Werner writes, “The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many children expressing their desire to follow Jesus.”
The Tōtara Springs team are overjoyed and committed to nurturing these new believers through their discipleship program. They are also eager to strengthen their relationship with these churches that play a vital role in discipling these young new followers of Jesus.
