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Partnering to Plant Seeds of Faith

Last week, New Plymouth Community Church (NPCC) had the joy of running a school holiday programme in partnership with Word of Life (WOL).Youth Pastor Jake Moir says:“Our church was filled with laughter, energy, and the powerful message of the gospel as the Word of Life team served us and our community with creativity and passion.”Each day was packed with high-energy activities, clear Bible teaching, and team challenges. The WOL team connected effortlessly with the kids, and their c...

Holiday Fun and Gospel Seeds at Onslow

During the last week of the school holidays, Onslow Community Church ran its Sow & Grow holiday programme and welcomed 78 children through its doors.Based on the parable of the four soils, each day helped kids think about the different heart responses people have to the gospel. From there, they explored the fruit that grows in the lives of those who follow Jesus, learning about the fruit of the Spirit in fun, accessible ways.Pastor Peter Rhodes-Robinson says they were thrilled to welcome 78 ...

A Joyful Start for Feilding Bible Chapel’s First Holiday Programme

Last week marked a special milestone for Feilding Bible Chapel (FBC) as they hosted their very first School Holiday Programme. Held over three days at the church, the programme welcomed a wonderful group of children from both within the church family and the wider Feilding community.Children’s Ministry Leader Karin Cox described the atmosphere as full of energy, creativity and joy. Each day included a range of fun activities, including games, crafts, and plenty of opportuni...

Hospitality: Loving the Stranger as Family

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ AmbassadorKi te noho hoki te tangata iwi ki ki a koe, ki tou whenua, kaua koutou e mahi i te kino ki a ia.Ki ta koutou kia rite ki tetahi o o koutou tangata whenua te manene e noho ana i a koutou, arohaina ia ano ko koe; he manene hoki koutou i mua, i te whenua o Ihipa: ko Ihowa ahau, ko to koutou Atua.A āumau ia te oe se tagata ese i lo outou nuu, aua tou te faatiga ia te ia. O le tagata ese o loo āumau ia te outou, ia tusa lava ia ia te outou ma le tama a le eleele, e te...

Soup Sundays

Feilding Bible Chapel launched eight weeks of soup lunches last Sunday. With a bit of flair and fun, the Landon Way Life Group kicked off the lunch wearing an array of hats!Each week, a Life Group is responsible for bringing soup for the church family. Two weeks out of the eight will be in homes. It’s a fantastic way to strengthen relationships, practice hospitality, and taste a wide variety of pumpkin soups....

Sharing God's love through poetry

The CCCNZ Far North Summit at Coopers Beach this year focused on The Message of the Cross. Janet Fleming (centre above) shared her story of how God is using her book of poetry “Through the Years” published in 2024. Janet and Mike Fleming attend Tōtara North Bible Chapel. This week Janet talked to someone at the grocery store who used to come to Sunday School who said “I’ve seen your poetry book”. Another lady said “we have one in the bank...

Sharing the Gospel from Māngere

Each Wednesday, four Samoan pastors share the good news of Jesus through a weekly Bible teaching programme streamed live from Au Uso Kerisiano Māngere / Mascot Bible Chapel in Māngere.Among them is Pati Fa’aiuas (Au Uso Kerisiano, New Lynn), who regularly teaches and is passionate about reaching Samoan people both in New Zealand and in Samoa. The online messages have gained many viewers, including people from mainline churches.A key goal of the team is to train young...

Sisters Baptised Together at Northcross Church

Two sisters, Kate and Jessi (pictured above), were baptised together at Northcross Church recently. One at university and the other at high school, both spoke of the significant impact that having Christian friends had on their spiritual journey and, ultimately, their decision to make a personal profession of faith.Lead Pastor Hangyul Cho writes:“On a sweet personal note, I had the joy of baptizing Kate with her small group leader Mij...

Pakuranga Christian Fellowship Men’s Breakfast

Recently, Pakuranga Christian Fellowship (PCF) held their bi-monthly men’s breakfast and invited Manurewa Bible Church (MBC) to join them.Men’s Bible studies and youth ministries are often run separately in churches, and the two groups seldom connect naturally. PCF envisions these breakfasts as a way for young and old to come together and encourage one another. “Young kids are invited to come… because tomorrow they grow up. It’s like a stepping stone for them,” sa...

Baptisms at Pakuranga Christian Fellowship

From left to right: Mere, Pastor Ken Hutchinson, Anya, Alanna, Chase and Paul. ...

God's Work Behind the Scenes

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ AmbassadorI taua po kihai i moe te kingi, a ka mea kia kawea mai te pukapuka whakamahara ki nga meatanga o nga ra. Na ka korerotia ki te aroaro o te kingi.O lena lava po na le iloa ai e le tupu sina moe. Ona fai atu lea o le tupu e au mai le tusi e faamanatu a‘i tala i nofoaiga. Ona faitaulia ai lea i luma o le tupu. That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. Esther 6:1...

Proclaiming the Kingdom and Boasting in the Cross

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ AmbassadorA e rua tino tau i noho ai a Paora ki tona whare i utua e ia, a manaakitia ana e ia te hunga katoa e tomo ana ki a ia.‘Ua nofo fo‘i Paulo i tausaga e lua i lona fale e totogi; sa talia lava e ia i latou uma sa ulufale atu ‘iā te ia. For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Acts 28:30The Book of Acts records events that took place in the first 30 years of the church’s existence. It tells o...

Connecting Kids from Church and Community: A Holiday Programme with Purpose

A team under the leadership of Rebecca Treanor, Jed Meads and Raewyn Meads served a highly energetic and fully engaged group of 5-11 year olds from Kingston Community Church family and the local community. The three-day programme was filled with fun, food, crafts, games, and hearing about the God that made it all possible.Discipleship Pastor Kerry Rickard says:“It is so awesome to see the children feeling at home and connecting with our amazing...

Fellowship of the Word at Chapel Hill Community Church

Chapel Hill Community Church (CHCC) is running a Bible study on the book of Ruth as part of its mid-winter festival. The study is co-led by Wendy Buchanan, Matthew Bateson, and Daniel Airey from CHCC, alongside Grant Birks, CCCNZ Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Enabler, who have all been training to use Fellowship of the Word principles for group Bible study.Seven people from CHCC are braving the cold to explore Ruth together. Wendy says that one highl...

Porirua Gospel Chapel’s Prayer Journey

One of the goals that Porirua Gospel Chapel (PGC) has set for 2025 is to encourage the church toward more prayer awareness as to what God is doing both in them and outside their walls.This goal hasn’t come through big campaigns, but through steady, simple practices: prayer in twos or threes during services, structured and responsive prayers, and a prayer space available at the end of each service.Elder Mark Broadbent shares:“Our intention is to encourage prayer as ‘the way we do things aro...

Baptisms at Blue Springs: A Story of Transformation

This year, we’ve been sharing many stories of people taking the faith step of being baptised. All across New Zealand, we continue to hear these stories—and they’re always deeply encouraging as we see the work of God in transforming people's lives. For several years now, Danny Scott from Putaruru Gospel Chapel (PGC) has been leading a men’s group through his work at Transform Aotearoa. The group meets daily, heading to the gym or helping out in the community wherever there’s a need...

North Shore Pastors Connect and Encourage One Another

From left to right: Gordon Venter, Debbie Bossé, Andrew Neville, Annelli Morla, Hangyul Cho, Richard Fountain, and Alex Pope....

A Morning of Fellowship in Māngere: South, Central & East Auckland Pastors Gather to Connect

Fatu Tu’u, David Vatau, Phil Hutchinson, Kolokota Sao-Mafiti, Russell Grainger (back), Brigitte Crowe (front), Richard Fountain, Ane Ponifasio (front), Hayden Johns, Mark Grace (back), Afa Moasegi (front), Max Guptill (back), Pati Fa’aiuaso, and Waweru Kanene....

Churches in Southland Gather Around the Word

The Invercargill Bible School weekend, held at Elles Road Bible Chapel on 14-15 June, brought together churches from across the southern region —Edendale Christian Fellowship, Queenstown Bible Chapel, Rosedale Bible Chapel, Browns Gospel Hall, and others— to sit under the teaching of God’s Word.Donald Stevenson (Wairarapa Bible Church) preached through key texts in 2 Timothy, reflecting on Paul's last will and testament. Richard Drury ...

The revelation of Jesus Christ

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ Ambassador...

Kids Growing in Faith Together

Last weekend, 74 kids and leaders from Glentunnel Chapel, Church Street Bible Chapel (Timaru), and Rutland Street Church (Christchurch) gathered at Woodend Christian Camp for the NZ Rally Canterbury Regional Camp. For many of the kids, it was their first time at camp. Alongside classic activities and games, the heart of the weekend was time spent in the Bible. The kids gathered together for worship and memory verse learning before splitting into junior and senior groups for Bible teaching.&...

Jesus is with us

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ AmbassadorAe, ahakoa haere ahau i te awaawa o te atarangi o te mate, kahore he kino e wehi ai ahau: no te mea kei toku taha koe; ko tau rakau, ko tau tokotoko, ko ena hei oranga ngakau moku.E ui lava ina ou savali i le vanu o le ata o le oti, ou te le fefe lava i se mea leaga; auā o oe ta te faatasi ma a‘u; o lau laau ma lou tootoo e faamafanafanaina ai a‘u.Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod a...

Equipping Youth Leaders to Help Young People Share Jesus

Last week, 39 youth leaders from across the Waikato gathered at Northgate Community Church for a training night run by Word of Life in partnership with CCCNZ churches in the region.Leaders came from Northgate Community Church, Hillcrest Chapel, Tauwhare Gospel Chapel, Kaipaki Bible Church, Matamata Bible Church, Hukanui Bible Church, Whitiora Bible Church, and Chapel Hill Community Church. It was a night marked by shared learning, encouragement, ...

Nelson Regional Summit

I loved being with ministry leaders from Tasman Church, Grace Church, and Hope Community Church at the CCCNZ Nelson Summit on Saturday. Thank you to Dave Bosma from Grace Church for opening God's Word for us, and to the team from Tasman Church (Ruth Russ, Simon Paynter, Gene Clark, Hannah Buckland and Sharelle Vorster) for leading us in praising our God together in song. And thank you to Hope Community Church for hosting us so well!...

Leadership Transition: Encouraging New Elder Development

Leadership transition in a church is rarely easy—but it can be a powerful opportunity. It’s a moment to honour the past while preparing the next generation to step into the shepherding role. Though every church’s journey is unique, sharing these stories can bring both guidance and encouragement.At Tauwhare Gospel Chapel, a significant leadership shift was recently undertaken. As Norm Silcock shares, “The last of the previous generation of elders had passed away,” and it ...