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 family was very significant,” CCCNZ Youth and Young Adults Craig Barrow shared. “I felt so humbled and honoured to be a part of it.”
Mikaela Hosking, Youth Ministry Leader at Feilding Bible Chapel, reflected on the openness and honesty as everyone shared their diverse stories and saw God's hand in them all. “I loved seeing the youth praying for each other… to see them already stepping up in leadership… whether cleaning up after meals or leading worship, was really cool.”
For some leaders, the weekend marked a full circle: “Two of us leaders knew each other from a First Training we went to when we were youth!”
Zachary Beauchamp from The Anchor Church wrote about how the teaching felt like an answer to prayer. “My youth wanted to learn how to pray more… and the very first workshop we saw was about prayer. How cool is that!” He also shared the joy of mentoring: “As a result of First Training, [one of the young people] has started reading the Gospel of John.”
Mark and Lynda Broadbent from Porirua Gospel Chapel wrote, “What a special group of young people, enthusiastic about following Jesus wholeheartedly! The teaching was great and very practical… We were sorry we weren’t able to bring more along.”
It was amazing to see God working in these young people’s lives. The weekend was filled with deep conversations, prayer, the search for God, fellowship and fun.
