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Peace be with you

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ AmbassadorA, i a raua e korero ana i enei mea, na tera ia tu ana i waenganui o ratou, mea ana ki a ratou, Kia tau te rangimarie ki a koutou.A o tautala atu i lā‘ua i ia mea, a ‘ua tu fa‘afuase‘i atu Iesu i o latou luma, ma fetalai atu ‘iā te i latou, “ ‘Ia ‘outou manuia.”While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”Luke 24:36Executed dead men don’t usually stand in front of you a...

CCCNZ Staff Conference

As a staff team, it’s a privilege to serve among you. Over Tuesday and Wednesday, we held our staff conference at Willow Park in Auckland. We unpacked with Marcus Honeysett how to minister out of God’s grace to us in Jesus.We reviewed your feedback from Regional Summits and how these can support you and your church better. We also reflected on what we’ve learnt about God’s grace, ourselves, and the movement of Open Brethren Heritage / CCCNZ churches. ...

From Power to Joy: Cultivating Godly Leadership in Auckland

Forty-seven elders and ministry leaders from 13 churches came together on Thursday 7 August at Eden Church to hear Marcus Honeysett from Living Leadership in the UK speak about biblically spiritual leadership.Marcus’s most recent book ‘Powerful Leaders?’ exposes and explores “How people in positions of authority can be tempted away from a biblical model of leadership into an illegitimate – and, in the worst cases, abusive – use of power.”&nbs...

Growing Leaders, Reaching Communities

Children's Pastor Mikayla Crawford and a team of around 40 volunteers recently ran Kids Holiday Quest at The Orchard Church. This fun packed school holiday programme welcomed about 200 children for a week of activities, games, and the gospel.The Orchard began running holiday programmes a few years ago with support from a visiting team from Word of Life. That initial investment paid off. Word of Life not only helped launch the programme but also invested into developing young ...

Children’s Ministry Leaders in the Manawatū Gather to Grow Together

Last Saturday, children’s ministry leaders and volunteers from across the Manawatū region gathered in Palmerston North for a half-day of training, encouragement and connection.Leaders came along from seven churches—Crossroads Church, Kingston Community Church, Church on Vogel, Rongotea Bible Chapel, Queen Street Chapel, Feilding Bible Chapel, and York Street Chapel.Children and Family Ministries Enabler Julie McKinnon writes:"I loved seeing people fro...

Theological study, internships, and church relationships

Scholarships Enabler Liz Hodge had the privilege of catching up with two groups of interns and theology students in the Waikato this week.Liz writes:"On Sunday afternoon, we were kindly hosted at the home of Andrew Linton, elder from Hukanui Bible Church. "Sam Crosbie, Caleb Wilkinson-Mackie, Julie McKinnon, and Jenn Miller have in common that they’re all studying at Master’s level, and each was interested to hear about the others' area of particular focus, and how their studies have been he...

2025 Auckland Summit

It was so good being at the Auckland Summit on Saturday. Encouraged by 180 ministry leaders from over 20 Auckland churches coming together.Thank you to Thomas Scrimgeour from Lincoln Road Bible Chapel for opening God's Word for us, and to the team from Auckland Bible Church for leading us in praising our God together in song. ...

The Mark Drama in Christchurch: An Immersive Gospel Experience

On 26–28 July, Rutland Street Church and Riccarton Community Church once again teamed up, with students from TSCF at the University of Canterbury, to bring The Mark Drama to life. Directed by Claire Bresler (Rutland Street Church), the cast of volunteers staged the whole of Mark’s Gospel in 90 minutes, theatre-in-the-round, with no props, costumes or microphones.One common response from first-time viewers is, “It’s better than I thought it would be...

Manifesting the Life of Jesus: Christchurch Korean Church’s Winter Conference

Christchurch Korean Church held their Winter Conference last weekend, welcoming Pastor Jason Winslade from Redemption Church Christchurch as their guest speaker.It was a weekend shaped by deep teaching, heartfelt singing in both Korean and English, the joy of coming together across generations, and good food....

Breaking the Cycle

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ AmbassadorNa ka kohia ano hoki taua whakatupuranga katoa ki o ratou matua: a ka ara ake tetahi whakatupuranga ke i muri i a ratou, kihai nei i mohio ki a Ihowa, ki nga mahi ano hoki i mahia e ia mo Iharaira.Ona maliliu lea o lenā tupulaga uma* ae tulaʻi mai le isi tupulaga ina ua mavae atu i latou, o ē e latou te leʻi iloa Ieova po o galuega na ia faia mo Isaraelu.After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neithe...

United in Prayer: Christchurch Prayer Breakfast

The first Christchurch Ōtautahi Prayer Breakfast was on Wednesday morning in the Christchurch Town Hall, with 250 people gathered to pray at tables for the city (including the mayor who was present in person), region, nation and world, from across many churches. The New Zealand Christian Network has run similar prayer breakfasts in Auckland and Hamilton for several years, with 2025 seeing the launch in Christchurch and Wellington. ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...