I mentioned last week I wanted to share with you more about the Camping Hui held in Auckland last weekend.
Left photo: Wanda Ashby, Graham Ashby, Shannon Samuels, Ane Ponifasio, Russell Burt.
Right photo: Bill Tissingh, Sue Barrow, Chris Barrow, Russell Grainger.
It was very moving to see Bill Tissingh (from Paeroa Bible Chapel) honoured for 43 years of service, with the majority of that time spent chairing the board of Kauaeranga Valley Christian Camp near Thames.
Russell Grainger (from Mt. Wellington Community Church) was also honoured for 35 years of service, with the majority spent serving as chair of MiCamp at Taupō.
We also celebrated Chris and Sue Barrow’s 23 years of service to the churches in Auckland through being Willow Park Christian Camp Managers, and 7 years serving at Tōtara Springs Christian Camp. Thank you to you all for serving us as a movement of churches. Thank you to your families, who have stood with you and enabled you to serve. We are so grateful.
It was encouraging to hear from Graham Ashby about the gospel hearted courage, tenacity, and entrepreneurialism of our early camp founders. Graham shared five stories of how young men and women—along with their churches—cut, bulldozed, and built camps from the bush across the 60s, 70s and 80s so that the gospel of Christ would be preached from the Bible.
I need to be honest; I was very teary. Graham was speaking as part of the soft launch of the book 100 Years Christian Camping. You can see more at www.100yearscamping.co.nz. Thank you.
I came away deeply moved at how local churches have reached the next generation through partnerships with the movement’s campsites.
I'm grateful too, for Mark van Wijk (Tāmaki Community Church), Danielle Diprose (Hillcrest Chapel), and Richard Davis (Manawarū Bible Chapel) for their work shaping Te Maru as it partners with the churches to see more people pointed to Jesus, through the gospel from the Bible.
By Mark Grace, CCCNZ Ambassador
