Above left: Peter Rhodes-Robinson from Onslow Community Church talking with leaders from Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast.
Above right: Max Faletutulu from Tītahi Bay Community Church talks to leaders from Church on Vogel, Feilding Bible Chapel and others in the prayer workshop.
Below left: Mark van Wijk, CCCNZ PastorLink Enabler, and Henare Whaanga, Pathway Christian Centre, talk with leaders from Onslow Community Church.
Below right: Susie Snell and Karen McLeod from Feilding Bible Chapel talk to leaders from The Anchor Church and Porirua Gospel Chapel.
On Saturday more than 90 people from eighteen churches came together for the Lower North Island Summit.
It was a delight to sit in and hear local church leaders from the region talking through both opportunities and challenges.
Maria Henderson from Riverbend Bible Church (pictured below) talked about how Riverbend and Onekawa Bible Church worked together for clyclone relief. It was so encouraging to hear that churches across the movement have responded to the need practically and financially.
Maria has co-ordinated the churches' relief efforts and noted that diggers are still in hot demand. If you or a group with a digger want to spend a weekend in the Hawke's Bay, do touch base with Maria at Riverbend.
Maria updates summit attendees on the work done for cyclone relief
I loved hearing about the impact that a talk on intergenerational ministry by Heather Rhodes-Robinson's from Onslow Community Church had on listeners.
Another highlight was seeing church leaders explore the opportunity to develop a leadership pathway with Joel Birkin from Kingston Community Church in Palmerston North.
Elders in particular appreciated the practical and professional nature of the crisis communications workshop, which gave tangible counsel regarding how to handle increasing media interest in Christian activities. The workshop was led by practitioners who work across the New Zealand church and marketplace.
I am immensely grateful for the volunteer church leaders who give their time to point us to Jesus.
I can't wait to see what the Lord does to point more people to himself through the new relationships made throughout the summit.
Thanks to the church family at Church @ Cedarwood for leading us in worship.
Also thanks to Isaac Pettersen from Crossroads Church pointed us to Jesus from the book of Hebrews, and many ministry leaders from across Lower North Island Churches contributed to workshops.
By Mark Grace, CCCNZ Ambassador
