SUMMIT CONNECT
Summit Connect is a yearly regional CCCNZ event held in different locations across Aotearoa NZ. Our aim is to:
Connect—gathering a wide range of people from CCCNZ churches across each region to build relationships and encourage gospel partnership.
Spark conversation through quality biblical content—talks and practical workshops.
Cultivate leaders—an opportunity to identify and encourage current and future leaders in CCCNZ churches.
"Preach the word;
|
be prepared
in season and
out of season;"
2 Timothy 4:2
WHO IS SUMMIT CONNECT FOR?
Anyone involved in ministry within local CCCNZ churches or camps...
Current ministry leaders – across all areas of church life (e.g. worship, pastoral care, small groups, outreach, children, youth, families, administration, preaching…)
Emerging leaders – those beginning to explore or step into leadership roles
Ministry team members – volunteers and team members serving in a wide range of ministries
Church leadership – pastors, elders, and staff supporting the development of ministry and mission
WHY COME TO SUMMIT CONNECT?
Connect with others serving in similar ways in like-minded churches from your wider region
Attend breakouts together with your team - start helpful conversations and further topical training
Be encouraged by the ways God is at work in your region
Gain practical, biblical tools to apply in your ministry setting
Learn from experienced teachers and practitioners
"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:14-17
Breakout Sessions
Breakouts are a mix of seminar, workshop, interview and panel-style sessions. These are interactive in format and designed to get your team opening the Bible together, as you think through and discuss different topics.
Each location has it's own regional flavour, with a unique mix of topics and speakers from your region and beyond.
Summit Connect breakouts cover a variety of topics* including:
Leadership Development
Youth Mental Health & Ministry
Holistic Discipleship with Children
Identifying and Developing Future Church Leaders
Practical Administration, Legal, Governance, and Health & Safety Resources for Ministries
Worship Song Selection that Cultivates Participation and Theological Depth
Godly Wisdom, Technology and AI
*Topics will vary from region to region
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY
Summit Connect runs from 9.30am - 4pm and is designed to bring people from CCCNZ churches together for a day of theologically grounded, conversation-rich learning.
Each session combines solid biblical teaching with generous discussion, real-life stories from local leaders, and practical insights you can take back and share in your own context.
Along the way, we celebrate the strengths already present in each region and allow time to build meaningful relationships, strengthening support and collaboration across CCCNZ churches.
9.30am Check in & Morning Tea
Let the CCCNZ Team know you've arrived and collect your conference pack before enjoying a cuppa and some morning tea while you catch up with others from around the region.
10am Main Session
We'll sing together, pray, and hear God's Word read and taught as a local music team and preacher lead us in reflecting on 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8. We'll hear local stories about how God is at work in CCCNZ churches in your region.
11.15am Breakout #1
Breakouts are a mix of seminar, workshop, interview and panel-style sessions. These are interactive in format and designed to get your team opening the Bible together, as you think through and discuss different topics.
Each location has it's own regional flavour, with a unique mix of topics and speakers from your region.
12.30pm Lunch & Conversation
Enjoy lunch as you connect with others from your region. Reps from support ministries GC3, NZ Rally, Pathways College, Stewards' Trust and Te Maru will be there and would love to chat about what they're doing and you and your church can be involved.
2pm Breakout #2
Breakouts are a mix of seminar, workshop, interview and panel-style sessions. These are interactive in format and designed to get your team opening the Bible together, as you think through and discuss different topics.
Each location has it's own regional flavour, with a unique mix of topics and speakers from your region.
3.15pm Regional Session
An all-in-together session reflecting each region's unique strengths and challenges.
3.45pm Afternoon Tea
Finish with a cuppa and something to eat as you carry on those conversations and pray with people you've met throughout the day.
MAIN PREACHERS
Opening God's Word together is a key part of our time at Summit Connect. In each region a different local preacher opens up the Bible to teach from our yearly theme passage. In 2026 we're excited to hear what God has to show us as we dive into 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8.
Waikato / Bay of Plenty
Aaron Hodgson was born and bred in the Bay of Plenty. He grew up at Beatty Ave Bible Chapel, which later became The Orchard Church.
Aaron is married to Jess and has two daughters, Atea and Jayme. They're based in Ohaupo, Waikato where Aaron serves as the youth pastor at Raleigh Street Christian Centre in Cambridge.
Aaron loves teaching the Bible and strives to make it as simple as possible for everyone to understand without shying away from the truth of Scripture. He's really looking forward to sharing from 2 Timothy at the Waikato / Bay of Plenty Summit Connect.
*$60 / per person
Includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea, and course materials. *Early bird price.
What if I miss the early bird registration?
Our heart is to see leaders from a variety of CCCNZ/Open Brethren Heritage churches at their local Summit Connect.
To help make that possible we keep ticket prices as low as we can. We offer an early bird price of $60 per person (capped at $300 per church). We'll send an invoice to your church admin team to facilitate a group payment for your church group.
Early bird prices end one week prior to each event, with ticket prices increasing to $70 per person and no church cap. Online registration closes two days before each event.
You can still join us on-the-day, with walk-ins $85 per person, to be paid by EFTPOS.
Make a koha to help everyone
The actual cost to run Summit Connect is around $90 per person. Would you consider joining us in making these events as affordable as possible for everyone? If you'd like to give a koha towards this there are two ways:
Make a secure online payment using this link to our online process.
Or give via direct deposit, using the account details:
Reference: Summit Koha
02-0719-0220311-000
(Christian Community Churches of New Zealand Trust)
Event Photography
Read more about how and why we take photos at our events, and understand how this affects you.
5 great locations
Waikato / BOP
28 March 2026
Tōtara Springs Christian Centre
Lower North
16 May 2026
Coast Community Church
Auckland
1 August 2026
Northcross Church
Canterbury
12 September 2026
Rutland Street Church
Otago/Southland
November 2026
Venue TBC
If you have any queries, please email office@cccnz.nz
Email Enquiries:
office@cccnz.nz
Media Enquiries:
media@cccnz.nz
Phone:
06 353 1077
027 268 5636
Physical Address:
Level 3, 357 Main Street
Capital Fund House
Palmerston North
Postal Address:
PO Box 744
Palmerston North 4440
DONATIONS
Account details:
Christian Community
Churches of New Zealand Trust:
02-0719-0220311-000
