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Strengthen: NZ Rally Training Day in Southland

“It’s always good to be in the south, with frosty temps and warm smiles.” That’s how Sarah Chalmers (NZ Rally Communications) described the Strengthen regional training day, held last Saturday at Rosedale Bible Chapel.The gathering brought together Boys and Girls Rally leaders from Rosedale and Edendale Christian Fellowship. A standout feature of the day was the collaborative spirit; leaders engaged in a ‘speed sharing’ session, exchanging ideas, activities, and encouragement from th...

Manawatū First Training

Last weekend, youth and leaders from Porirua Gospel Chapel, Feilding Bible Chapel, and The Anchor Church came together at Highland Home Christian Camp for the Manawatū First Training.First Training is an annual two-day leadership retreat for 16–18-year-olds from churches across the CCCNZ/Open Brethren Heritage. The weekend creates space for young people to connect with others, grow in leadership, and draw closer to Jesus.“The depth of conversation and the brokenness over unsaved friends and...

Rotorua Children’s Ministry Leaders Gathering

Children’s ministry leaders from Fenton Park Bible Church, Kawerau Bible Chapel, and Lakes Church Rotorua gathered on Sunday in Rotorua. The afternoon was hosted by Kara Niles, from Fenton Park, and facilitated by CCCNZ Children and Family Ministries Enabler Julie McKinnon. Julie highlighted the rich conversations and great time of connection. Each church came with a different story, and together, they created space to encourage one another and share wha...

Where is God amid the Uncertainty?

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ AmbassadorI te toru o nga tau o te kingitanga o Iehoiakimi kingi o Hura ka tae mai a Nepukaneha kingi o Papurona ki Hiruharama, whakapaea ana e ia.O LE tausaga e tolu o le nofoaiga a Ioakima le tupu o Iuta na sau ai Nepukanesa le tupu o Papelonia i Ierusalema ma na vagaia.In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.Daniel 1:1King Nebuchadnezzar has swept down through Judah into Jerusalem and laid...

Shepherds Who Protect the Church

By Kerry RickardAs elders, we know that we are called to lead. Lead under Christ, like Christ. Leadership that has both a right heart as well as a right role. A shepherding heart and a shepherding role.  We are called to be elders that are shaped by Jesus’ example. Jesus the good shepherd (John 10:11). A true representation of leadership.  Jesus desires shepherding leaders, elders, who emulate him. Who know, lead, feed, and protect the sheep.  Most elderships have a streng...

Flooding in Tasman: Responding with Care and Compassion

Over the past month, extensive flooding has impacted the Tasman District, particularly across the Motueka Valley, in severe weather events. Grace Church, Hope Community Church, Tasman Church, and Teapot Valley Christian Camp have all felt the effects.Hope Community Church was forced to cancel its Sunday gathering recently due to a flooded road and car park (pictured above), combined with a power outage. Members from all three churches, and those connected with Teapot Val...

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...

Baptisms at Pakuranga Christian Fellowship

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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 ...

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....