It was a privilege to attend Waitangi Day Commemorations this week. While there were a couple of moments of tension, thousands of us enjoyed what felt like a family-friendly festival atmosphere. A highlight was seeing all the ways people across our wider movement and beyond were reflecting the love of Christ throughout the commemorations.
I am grateful for Maria Henderson and Jeremy Dempsey from Riverbend Bible Church in Hastings (and OAC), along with Norm and Liz Silcock from Tauwhare Gospel Chapel in the Waikato (and Māori Postal Aotearoa), and Howard and Gill Goold who worked together on the OAC Māori Postal Aotearoa Stand. The team spent three days in constant conversations while handing out Scripture resources hand over fist. A huge thank you to you all for sharing the good news of Jesus amongst the thousands of people attending!
Left photo: Jill and Howard Goold with Malachi and Char Williams. Top Right: Jeremy and Vicki-Lee Dempsey and Maria Henderson. Bottom Right: Liz and Norm Silcock.
Karen Whitehead from The Street Church in Wellington (and Longview Trust) along with Luke Goodwin from Raleigh Street Christian Centre in Cambridge (and Longview) participated in the Karuwhā experience, serving on the Lower Marae at Waitangi with food preparation, toilet cleaning, and car parking along with learning how the gospel profoundly influenced and impacted the Treaty.
Darryl and Penny Purdy (pictured below right) from Crossroads Church in Palmerston North attended the commemorations in Darryl’s official capacity with Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
I was grateful to connect with Jerome Edwards from Tāmaki Community Church in Auckland (and Willow Park Christian Camp), and Alan Aitken from Riccarton Community Church (and chairman of Te Maru) who was attending along with his daughter Melanie Aitken.
It was lovely to catch up with Gordon and Joy Fountain from Eden Church, and their son Nick. Gordon is a CCCNZ Board Member. I also appreciated being with Max and Gillian and their daughter Ariana, and Abbey Grainger from Mt Wellington Community Church.
I was encouraged after catching up with Steve McRobie from the Bible Society New Zealand, who was profiling Māori audio Bibles and biblical resources in Te Reo.
By Mark Grace, CCCNZ Ambassador
