In October Camping Enabler Richard Davis and South Island Enabler Tim Hodge took a trip to Canterbury, Southland and Otago to visit some different church leaders and campsites, what an encouragement to see how connected churches are with their local camps, taking active steps in gospel partnership.
In Canterbury, Richard says it was very encouraging to meet with Sinead Coleman (left) and Zack Howe (middle, with Richard Davis on the right).
Sinead and Zach are youth leaders at Halswell Community Church and are involved with camping ministry and outreach in connection with Canterbury Development Network Trust (associated with Riccarton Community Church).
Further south at Lakeland Park Christian Camp in Queenstown, Tim observed that the geographical location works well—it’s a destination spot, near an airport, in an interesting and beautiful place where there is lots to do and see. He says the connection with churches is strong:
"Notably, all trustees of Lakeland Park have to be in active fellowship with an Open Brethren Heritage church. The current trustees come from churches in Canterbury, Otago and Southland and have a deep commitment to seeing the camp flourish and as a result it is actively, regularly used by a range of church groups as a place for camps."
In Dunedin, Tim and Richard met with trustees Dre Niehaus (above left) from Cornerstone International Bible Church, and Stafford Ferguson (above right) from Riverside Chapel.
Oswin Kakumanu (above right) is one of the elders with Mailer Street Gospel Hall in Dunedin.
Tim says, "It was a delight to meet Oswin in person and hear about his upbringing in brethren assemblies in India, as well as how the Lord has led him and his family from India to Dubai to New Zealand.
"Mailer Street Gospel Hall is in close fellowship with other gospel halls across New Zealand, and hosted a Bible conference over Labour weekend, to increase confidence in the unchanging message of the Bible in a changing world."
And further south Tim and Richard caught up with another Lakeland trustee Ryan Whiteman (above far left), along with Nigel and Hannah Winder (above middle, and above far right), who are all part of Rosedale Bible Chapel in Invercargill.
Richard says, “one of the impressions I got from my trip down south was just how much everyone has been incredibly blessed by the ministry of camping as part of their Christian life. I was blown away by how much camping means to everyone we met.”
