A school holiday programme gave Rowley Bible Church in Christchurch an opportunity to reach out to its local community with the gospel.
Deacon Norman Turner says the week-long event packed a lot in each day.
“Each day was a full-on programme of action singing, Bible learning, skit, memory verse, craft, science and games. We finished with a gospel wrap-up.”
He says the programme offered an opportunity to grow in faith, build connections, and develop leaders.
“It was a great opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, it was wonderful to have new youth leaders involved in sharing their Christian faith, and to build unity in the Rowley Bible Church assembly—as well as sharing resources with other churches, notably Bryndwr Chapel and Rutland Street Church.”
Norman says it was a whole church effort.
“So many people helped behind the scenes to work together for the Lord. We had about 30 different people from printing, letterbox deliverers, display artists, an evangelist, caterers, craftspeople, teachers, and young families helping lead. There were people from different nationalities of all ages—from young teens to people in their 80’s. It was wonderful to work with such a group.”
Norman says that they knew the power of prayer and God’s provision.
“Two weeks before the holidays Orion (a power lines company) notified us that they had a planned shutdown. It would last all day on the first Monday of the holidays. We wrote straight away and asked for help because we were running the children’s programme. And we prayed! Within 48 hours, they notified us that they had delayed their work for two weeks. Thank you, Lord.”
God’s work extended beyond practical provision to the lives of children and their families, as they heard and understood the life-changing message of the gospel.
“On the Tuesday, after the lesson ‘God is our refuge’, one girl, a non-Christian, asked for prayer to be safe and not be afraid. One boy prayed the prayer of salvation, accepting Jesus and forgiveness of sin. Even some of the new contacts in the neighbourhood brought friends along during the last few days. Thank you, Lord."
