Last week pastors and their spouses from churches across the movement gathered for the annual PastorLink Retreat at MiCamp Taupō. For nearly 30 years this week has been a significant and much-loved fixture, and 2024 was no different.
The retreat opened with a mihi whakatau (short welcome ceremony), as a heartfelt welcome was extended by members of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, led by Sam Chapman who has served among the movement for many years.
We were delighted too, that Timon Bengtson (State Network Co-ordinator for CCC of Queensland) was able to come and share three timely and encouraging messages across the week—finishing with a reminder to be “continually captivated by a vision of the glory of King Jesus.”
CCCNZ PastorLink Enabler Mark van Wijk reflected:
“Having served in pastoral ministry for a number of years ourselves, it was a real joy for Steph and I to be able to help provide a space away from the daily pressures of ministry—knowing how complex and weighty that can be”.
One pastor shared afterwards, “It was so refreshing to be in that environment—physically, spiritually, socially. I feel very helpfully 'reset' for the time ahead.”
It was a genuine encouragement too, for those gathered to know that the Prayer Hour (*) team had been praying for them and to reflect on the words of Psalm 91 that the team had been praying through.
(*) The Prayer Hour is a weekly Zoom meeting held every Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. to pray for CCCNZ churches, campsites, and support ministries. If you’d like to join the Prayer Hour, don't hesitate to get in touch with CCCNZ Prayer Enabler Jackie Millar.
