Young people and their youth leaders at the Lower North Island First Training Retreat at Highland Home 2026
Young people from churches across the Lower North Island recently gathered at Highland Home in Manawatū for First Training, a weekend-long leadership training retreat designed to equip and encourage 16–18-year-olds as they grow in their faith.
Local youth leaders from The Anchor (Whitby), Feilding Bible Chapel, Church on Ingestre (Whanganui), and Onslow Community Church (Wellington) took the time to identify young people in their churches who would benefit from leadership training and invited them along.
Youth Leaders and young people then attend the retreat together, with local leaders sharing aspects of the training sessions within the curriculum developed by CCCNZ. Two of the four presenters were former First Training participants themselves, demonstrating the long-term impact the programme can have.
Regional Enabler Miles Davison said one of the highlights was seeing a whole weekend intentionally dedicated to investing in young people.
Throughout the weekend, participants engaged in teaching sessions, small group discussions, worship, and personal reflection.
Miles Davison (second from left) leads a small group discussion with young people at First Training, unpacking the session on 'Hearing God's Voice'.
For many, the solo times proved especially significant. Participants were challenged to spend an hour alone with God, free from the distractions of technology—something that, for some, was a completely new experience.
“For some of them, it was the first time they had ever spent an hour alone with God without the distraction of technology,” Miles said. “It was quite impactful.”
The small group discussions that followed most sessions also played an important role, giving young people the opportunity to process what they had learned, ask questions, and encourage one another.
Miles highlighted the leadership shown throughout the weekend, and the encouraging attitude shown by the young people who took part.
“There was a real keenness to learn and grow, and a level of maturity that fostered this,” Miles says. With open Bibles, thoughtful questions and willingness to share, one of the best parts of the weekend was hearing how they understood being part of the wider CCCNZ movement of churches.
