Richard Davis, CCCNZ Camping Enabler visited Hawke’s Bay this week. He met with Benji Carey-Smith and Phil Henderson from Onekawa Bible Church in Napier. Benji is the Community and Kids leader, and he’s involved in Launchpad, music ministry, and speaking.
Richard writes,
“What was really inspiring was hearing how, in particular, the holiday program started and has grown to where it is today. Benji’s wife was a teacher at the local school and between them both they saw a need and an opportunity and started up in faith, a kids after-school program and soon followed with a ‘day camp’ type holiday program held at a local school.
“Starting with just a small number of kids back in 2018 to the hundred who now currently attend the holiday program.”
Please pray for Phil, Benji and the team at Onekawa Bible Church as they continue to grow their outreach opportunity, and for the challenging process they’re embarking on as they construct a new church building.
Left photo: Phil Henderson and Benji Carey-Smith. Right photo: Toby Young and Richard Davis.
Richard also met with Toby Young, Youth leader at Riverbend Bible Church who takes a lead in the ministry camps that utilise the camp on-site. Richard highlights Toby’s focus on growing a leadership pipeline to ensure the church has leaders for the future.
Riverbend Bible Church is unique in that they do have a camp on-site. Please pray for those at Riverbend Bible Church led by Pastor Matthew Johnston.
During his time in Hawke’s Bay, Richard visited the closed Christian camps in the area. Camp David (closed 2008) and Stoney Creek Ranch were bustling and vibrant camps in past days.
Richard concludes, “After talking with Phil, Benji and Toby, we all sense the outreach opportunity a strong church-centric Christian camp in the Hawke's Bay area might bring.”
Please pray that if it is God’s will, a Christian camp will rise to serve the local churches in the not-too-distant future.
