http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.cccnz.nz en-us Sat, 19 Sep 2026 22:44:56 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/post/170458/young-people-taking-the-lead/ Crossroads Church in Palmerston North recently ran a Next Gen Service, we spoke to Youth Pastor Ezra Meehan: "It was so awesome to have our Next Gen Service, where our young people took the lead in many aspects of the gathering. Worship, MCing, sharing testimonies—it was really special to see the next generation stepping into their gifts, serving confidently, and sharing their faith with the wider church family."This year the theme was ‘Fire in My Bones’—looking at the fire we’re ... Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:14:39 +1200 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/#post170458 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/post/170451/growing-together-in-a-changing-community/ Halswell Community Church didn’t set out to become a church for young families. But over the past few years, God has brought a steady stream of them along to the church.“They were either people who grew up in church and left, or had grown up in church and were having children or had just gotten married and were thinking of starting a family.” Says Pastor Mato Kariuki, “Somehow, they just found their way to us.”Halswell is a rapidly growing part of Christchurch, with new subdivisions sp... Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:55:44 +1200 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/#post170451 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/post/169912/prayer-and-practical-support-for-nepal-flood-relief/ On 26 August, flash floods tore through northern Nepal, triggered by a glacial lake outburst and torrential rain in the Himalayan region. In a matter of hours, entire villages were swept away. Thousands of lives have been lost, with over 1,355 confirmed deaths and close to 5,000 people still missing. At least 93,000 people have been affected.Our partner organisation GC3 shares:“The destruction goes far beyond the immediate loss of life. Homes, roads, bridges and schools have been destroyed; 18... Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:36:38 +1200 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/#post169912 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/post/169907/creating-space-for-children-to-grow-as-disciples-of-jesus/ Children’s ministry leaders from five Auckland churches gathered recently for a training session with Julie McKinnon, who serves nationally with CCCNZ to support children’s and family ministries.The group explored how beliefs and understanding of who children are shape what we do practically in children’s ministry, and what it looks like to help children meet God through the Bible.Susannah Williamson helps lead the kids’ church programme at Rossgrove Chapel in Mt Albert, and says the ses... Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:03:33 +1200 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/#post169907 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/post/169865/elders-gather-in-auckland-to-learn-and-encourage-one-another/ Thirty-six elders and developing elders gathered at the Parnell Hotel in Auckland on 3–4 September for learning, discussion and encouragement at the recent CCCNZ Eldership Development Workshop.The workshop explores the call, character and commission of elders. Multiple participants shared how much they appreciated the opportunity to explore what it means for elders to oversee and serve from ‘among’ the flock, and the nature of collective responsibility. Alongside the teaching, p... Wed, 09 Sep 2026 12:45:40 +1200 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/#post169865 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/post/169857/developing-as-preachers-waikato-preaching-workshop/ Justin Thompson from Manawarū Bible Chapel and Nick Goodwin from Raleigh Street Christian Centre recently led a preaching development course attended by 16–18 participants from churches around Waikato, including Whitiora Bible Church, Hillcrest Chapel, Chapel Hill Community Church, Hukanui Bible Church, Northgate Community Church, and Agora Church.... Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:50:42 +1200 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/#post169857 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/post/169751/adventure-challenge-and-growth-serving-as-a-childrens-ministry-intern/ “Adventure, challenge, and growth” — that’s how Zera McCall describes her year as a children’s ministry intern at Oak Lane Community Church.... Mon, 07 Sep 2026 11:51:07 +1200 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/#post169751 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/post/169750/what-do-you-do-when-you-want-your-friends-to-know-about-jesus/ For 11-year-old Samantha Halson, the answer was simple: give them a Bible.The Anchor Church regularly reminds people that Bibles are available at church for them to take and give to their friends. Samantha had heard this opportunity several times, including in the children’s programme, and she thought, “I could do that.”She gave one of the Bibles, along with a Field Guide to the Bible, a resource from the Bible Society, to a friend at school.Soon, another friend noticed and asked if she co... Mon, 07 Sep 2026 11:45:27 +1200 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/#post169750 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/post/169691/a-church-for-the-community-whatawhata-community-church-reaches-out/ Whatawhata Community Church in Hamilton is intentionally connecting with the wider community—through a carnival themed Family Fun Day and NZ Rally.  “As a new church plant, we’re actively looking for ways to serve the community and let them know that we exist,” says Dave Gow, who is part of the WCC leadership team. WCC was established earlier this year as a plant from Hukanui Bible Church. WCC has been steadily growing since the plant was launched in February, and connecti... Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:39:01 +1200 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/#post169691 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/post/169690/canterbury-rallies-combined-camp/ In August, 87 kids and leaders from across Canterbury gathered at Woodend Christian Camp for an unforgettable "Back to Basics" regional camp. Bringing together young people from Rutland Street Church, Church Street Chapel Timaru, Rowley Bible Church, and Glentunnel Chapel, the event combined hands-on outdoor learning with core Gospel truths. ... Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:32:54 +1200 http://www.cccnz.nz/blog/#post169690