War in Ukraine

Feeding refugees in Poland

A Special Calling - City for the Nations

Our new work in Ukraine following our work in New Zealand came to an untimely halt. We unfortunately experienced being put in time out with the rest of the country due to COVID in February 2020. Our next steps to Ukraine would have to wait. Ministering in the mountains of NC and getting caught up in Jacksonville with our team was refreshing. In December of 2020, the Lord clearly called us to a new focus to assist a new ministry to be launched domestically in Jacksonville Florida, City for the Nations. After multiple leadership gatherings over the next 9 months, we were ready to launch our first city wide gathering called The Great Commission Summit on September 17, 2020. It was time for Jacksonville “to go” and adopt Thailand and it’s Unreached Unengaged People Groups!!

The following link will provide you with a complete overview of C4N First Coast and the launch of this very special calling and ministry.

City for the Nations Launch Link

Bangkok, Thailand

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Back to Ukraine

L’viv, Ukraine

We returned to Ukraine on the 17th of November for a 3-week, short-term mission that included much more than we anticipated. We were blessed abundantly by the number of new relationships that we established, the reconnecting with old friends, and the many terrific God-incident ministry opportunities, as well as spending time with Liuba and Lyubchyk, our son John's siblings.

YWAM

The first part of the trip we stayed at the YWAM base in Ternopil being picked up at the train station by Yarik and Oksana Yahotin. Before dropping us off, Yarik had Charley recruited to assist him working with drug addicts. Our first morning we joined the staff and base leaders, Lance and Megan Roberts (pictured below), in praise and prayer time, as well as some personal time with them later in the trip. While there, one of the teams returned from the front lines of the war in Eastern Ukraine. They said that they could hear the shooting it was so close and showed pictures of some of the buildings that had been bombed. Our time at the base continued to be seasoned with worship and prayer as we ministered in the greater community. 

Rebecca with Luba Papish

Charley with Zhenia Chekushkin and Ivan Papish

Reconnection

While America was enjoying Thanksgiving, we were hosted by long-time friends, Ivan and Luba Papish. Their daughter, Nataliya, was in Rebecca's young women's small group when we were in Ternopil with YWAM in ‘97. She now works with Orphans Hope at CBN in Virginia. At dinner, we were joined by Zhenia Chekushkin as our translator - someone we had been very interested in  meeting. A definite God incident. Not only did we have divine intervention for the dinner meeting but he remembered training both Liuba and Luybchyck several years earlier. He is the associate pastor of Calvary Chapel (soon to be Lead Pastor), as well as on staff at the Christian Training Center Success founded by Ivan and Luba. It was at this meal we learned of the ministry, Orphans Future, which we will share more about. Pictured is a typical Ukrainian meal of incredible hospitality and Charley with Ivan and Zhenia - Happy Thanksgiving Ukrainian style!

Christian Training Center

Ivan and Zhenia invited us to tour Christian Training Center Success (pictures below) and we were impressed by the bright, modern facility. But even more impressive were the number of programs provided - over 12 and the number of students reached - over 200 daily and over 3,000/year. The Center, which has been functioning for 12 years, also provides training internationally. (We encourage you to take a look at their website.) During the tour we were invited to come back when the classes were in session. Rebecca had the opportunity to be a guest "native speaker" in two of their ESL classes. Later in the week, Charley was invited to do leadership training for their executive team and  staff. Upon return from Lviv, we did some more ESL training with their teens which turned out to be very special as Charley was able to share much of his testimony. Historically, the Center has  provided Christian business leadership training and they seem keen to expand that type of programming. 

Lviv

Our mission in L'viv was to work again with The Message of Hope Church, providing ESL, English as a Second Language, training for two evenings. We had around 25 participants who had been part of their English Speaking Club. We were able to connect with some of our Ukrainian friends from our time there in September. The church primarily serves displaced Eastern Ukrainians from the war with Russia. Charley was asked to preach Sunday morning bringing a message of love and unity in the body. We were also blessed to spend our first night with one of the young men from Charley's September group. We had a delightful time with Nazar exploring the central city of L'viv. 

From left: Rebecca teaching beginning English; Charley preaching at Message of Hope Church; Pavlo, our translater/ Nazar behind Rebecca/ Grisha, Lead Pastor of Message of Hope behind Charley, Anatoliy Associate Pastor/ Dima, students

Back to Ternopil

Upon return to Ternopil, we were welcomed by our friend Yarik (YWAM) and comfortably settled into our new digs at the "Antique Apartment". By renting an apartment, we hoped we might be able to organize a family-type gathering there with Liuba and Lyubchyck which did come together beautifully as only God could have planned it! Liuba was excited for us to meet her best friends so we met at a local restaurant. As it turns out her best friends are the Founder and Project Manager for Orphans' Future, Andriy and Ira. Charley had tried to reach out to Andriy for a meeting but with no success. If God wants you to meet, you will meet! It was like we all knew each other for years. We learned about the powerful impact that this ministry has for the orphans of the Ternopil region. All the staff are orphans and each have had breakthroughs from the hopelessness that most orphans experience. They will soon be moving into their own large resource center and we definitely want to help them. By the end of the evening, it was decided for our next meeting that they would come to our apartment for a fun hang out dinner! Ivan, Ira's fiance, joined us, too. One of our takeaways from the evening was the realization of a fatherhood void. Upon our return, we hope to initiate some training in this area.

From left: Liuba's best friends, staff of Orphan's Future, Ira Vakaliuk, Andriy Nazarenko (founder of Orphan's Future); at Orphan's Future office; Current orphan numbers per region; Friday night family hangout at the apartment.

Birthday Celebrations!

Our hope since September was that we would be able to slowly establish relationships with Liuba and Lyubchyck. Both of their birthdays are in December so we celebrated at a local restaurant along with our special new friends, Yarik and Oksana  on December 8th. As it turned out, it was Oksana's birthday as well. God's timing. We needed their translation help and we could celebrate her birth, too! It was a wonderful evening and a foundation from which we will build.

Homeward Bound
On December 9th, like clockwork Yarik and Oksana took us to the Ternopil train station and at midnight our spiritual daughter, Halia  picked us up at the Kyiv central train station and deposited us at the airport. We are so blessed to have an amazing family in such a far away land!!! 

FINAL THOUGHTS FROM CHARLEY AND REBECCA:
WE ARE INCREDIBLY BLESSED TO EXPERIENCE GOD OVER AND OVER CONNECTING US AND GIVING US FAVOR IN WAYS THAT ONLY HE COULD HAVE DONE AND YOU WHO HAVE BEEN SO FAITHFUL TO SEND AND PRAY FOR US ARE A LARGE PART OF THAT BLESSING.
HE MOVED BECAUSE YOU ASKED AND RESPONDED! 
THANK YOU!

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PO Box 856, Cashiers, NC 28717

“… and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8b
 

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Ambassador Trust Corp. is a non-profit, faith-based 501C3 organization incorporated in 1997.
Ambassador Trust Corp.
C/O Charley and Rebecca Christie
PO Box 737, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004
ambassadortrust.org
Charley: 904.210.6831 / charley@ambassadortrust.org
Rebecca: 904.318.4182 / rebecca@ambassadortrust.org

Ukraine and France - And now we are five!

Missions for a Lifetime - Ukraine and France

In September, we decided to join our church mission outreach to Lviv, Ukraine, and then a short stop over in Rubelles, France, on the way home. We could never imagine what was about to unfold.

As it turned out, John, our Ukrainian born son decided to join the team for his first missions experience as an adult. The three of us felt that we should extend the mission trip to include two additional cities; Ternopil, where John was born, and Kyiv, where our spiritual daughter resides with her husband and three daughters. Our purpose in Ternopil was for John to seek healing and peace from his early childhood trauma; and Kyiv to reconnect with Halia Mokryk, who was our translator for the six years we ministered in Ukraine from 1997 to 2003.

Team from Community Bible Church, Highlands, NC

Lviv

Our mission in Lviv was to work with International Partnerships through one of their church plants, The Message of Hope Church, providing ESL, English as a Second Language, training. We had over 60 participants from the local community join the four day teaching. We were able to make life long relationships with our new Ukrainian friends and many came to a deeper knowledge of Jesus in the process. It wasn’t all work in that many of our new friends learned the Cupid Shuffle at our closing celebration. See the pic! Interestingly, the church primarily serves displaced Eastern Ukrainians from the war with Russia. Over 2 million Ukrainians have now been displaced by the war. Please pray for our Ukrainian friends.

Ternopil

As the team returned to the US, the Christie family remained in Ukraine and took the train to John’s birthplace. We were met by the now retired Bethlehem Childrens' Home Director, Nadia and our translator, Tanya. It was a great welcome home!

With only 24 hours in Ternopil, we began visiting special places from John’s past. The home he grew up in where he experienced much abuse, the Orphanage which is now a state-run preschool, the city centre and the lake area where we first bonded as a family many years ago. While taking a coffee break, unbeknownst to us Nadia made a call to social services to try and locate John’s sibling of whom he had only a vague memory. Vague because they were infants when the police and social services took him away. Within minutes, they were located and Luba, his sister, agreed to meet us for dinner in a few hours. Also, Lyubchyk, the brother, was located and as it turned out he is in the army stationed only a few blocks from where we were enjoying coffee. With amazing circumstances, it worked out that John’s unexpected reunion with his brother and sister was to take place that evening. The best way to describe the meeting was awkward at first and then spilling over into tears of joy and amazing happiness being reconnected to their big brother whom they weren’t sure existed. Since that evening, we have maintained a daily dialogue with John’s brother and sister and our "new-found children". Luba is 22 and a Dental Assistant and Lyubchyk is 21 and a soldier fighting the Russians to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty. We were a family of 3 coming to Ternopil and now it seems we are 5!

Pictured above: Rebecca and our son John at the Children’s Home / John at the house where he was until age 6 / John with the children’s home director, Nadia / John and Charley reliving memories from the past / The 3 siblings finally meet / And now we are five!

Christchurch...Return Two Week Deployment

Christchurch: May Return Trip

Charley returned to Christchurch for three conferences in mid-May. The first was the Te Raranga hosted churchwide unity gathering, “Together ’19”, at the new Christchurch Town Hall. Second was the “Movement Day” conference, a two day conference in the capital, Wellington, hosted by City by City Ministry, a church unity ministry. Finally, the quarterly “Christchurch Business Forum” breakfast hosted by a committee of Christchurch business persons. Interspersed with these meetings Charley had several key one on one meetings with various leaders of the city.

Te Raranga, “Together ’19”, Gathering - Christchurch

This was a citywide church meeting that was launched post Mosque attack in which 50 Muslims were murdered and 50 wounded in March in Christchurch. This terrorist act was the first of its kind in NZ and the most traumatic day in New Zealand notwithstanding the Christchurch earthquake of 2011. Post attack it initially appeared that the greater church had come together and was ready to gather as one. Unfortunately, the gathering was postponed and is to be rescheduled at a later date to be determined. This was the second church wide gathering cancelled/postponed in the last year. This was a disappointment but also an encouragement for many leaders to embrace the need for the Body of Christ to persevere in joining together whether in large gatherings or new directions of unity.

Movement Day - Wellington,

This inaugural two-day annual event hosted by City by City Ministries and New Zealand Christian Network was well attended with teams/participants from every major and some smaller cities in NZ. Each representative team gave a report on the health of unity in their respective city. From Christchurch, there was a contingent of seven in attendance including Charley. Four of that group  gave a report of the status of Christchurch. All the cities' presentations were quite positive with the exception of Christchurch which transparently shared its difficulty in the face of the two major traumatic events, earthquake and terrorist attack. (This does not include the devastating fires and flooding having also taken place.) Their openness was so moving that the entire conference at the dinner meeting stood and prayed for Christchurch while laying on of hands on those representing the city. It was powerfully moving and brought a spark of encouragement! Those attending the conference had a good debrief meeting after returning to Christchurch to discuss the what’s next which continues to be a work in progress. Charley refers to this group as the “Together Team” which continued to get together to seek God's will and pray over the city unity movement.

The Christchurch Biz Forum

Finally, the last of Charley’s three meetings was held at the Riccarton Racetrack in Christchurch. It was the fourth such gathering and it was very encouraging to see approximately 65 business persons show up, have a great breakfast, and enjoy an excellent keynote speaker. There was great engagement through table discussions and many questions post speaker’s message. This is a great start for a strong marketplace movement of business leaders coming together in Christchurch. Stay tuned for what the Lord does in bringing His church together through the marketplace!

Additional Ministry Meetings and Opportunities

As mentioned earlier, Charley had several one on one meetings and continuing meetings from the earlier 3 month deployment this year. A couple of highlight continuing meetings were with the Latimer Church pastor, Tim Capill, and community prayer with Grace Vineyard Church leadership. One on one meetings included an important meeting with Pastor Ken Shelley, Lead Pastor at King’s Church and the leader of Te Raranga unity ministry. Charley also updated Sarah Jane Peez, the Executive Pastor of Grace Vineyard , one of the largest and fastest growing churches in Christchurch, on the Movement Day experience. All of these meetings were very beneficial and helpful in regards to the needs of Christchurch and how Ambassador Trust may help.

The Big Idea
One of Charley’s special meetings was with marketplace leaders George and Kay Scrimshaw, lifetime residents of Sumner Beach. Sumner is a relatively small bedroom community to the city of Christchurch. We like to refer to Sumner as our home away from home. Encouragingly, it has had multiple individuals prophesy that a great move of God would come and sweep over it and subsequently Christchurch. During and after our meeting, we were/are in agreement that no great move of God (revival) has historically occurred without persistent heartfelt prayer. In Sumner, there is a small underutilized Anglican Chapel in the center of the residential area which we have discussed becoming a Sumner Community Prayer Center. It is our hope that AT can be supportive in bringing a flood of prayers into this community 24/7. Charley sent a summary proposal for the “Center” to George to review. (Above pic: moon rise at Sumner Beach- also a big surfing community.)

Now that Charley has returned, we have been patiently waiting on the Lord. We feel we have received the green light to return to Christchurch for our next deployment no later than January 2020 to be an encouragement in strengthening the Body in Christchurch. Together and with Jesus’ help all things are possible.
 

We are incredibly blessed to experience God over and over connecting us and giving us favor in ways that only He could have done and you who have been so faithful to pray for us are a large part of that blessing.
He moved because you asked! Thank you!!

"Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there
If I rise on the wings of the dawn
and settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast."
Ps. 139:7-10

Click here to join the Prayer Team and be a Sender

Flourishing to Crisis in Christchurch

Kia Ora!! (Māori for "Hello"  or "Welcome") 

March was filled with daily meetings listening and learning all that we could glean from the leadership of Christchurch. Here are some highlights . . .

March 3rd - We joined the young adults and leadership of Latimer Church (a “disassociated” Anglican church) to pray for their evening service. We're encouraged by the Lord’s hand on this predominantly young adult membership and the next generation to carry the legacy of Jesus.

March 4th - We met Big George and Kay Scrimshaw (far left in pic) for coffee and to discuss the strategies and plans of God to strengthen His church. George, a native of Christchurch, had been owner of a successful insurance business while dedicating much of his time building the Kingdom of Heaven throughout his career. He continues to be a key business leader.

March 5th - Rebecca had her weekly coffee with some friends from Grace Church (Kathleen and Robin) and Charley had the opportunity to share at an Anglican Ash Wednesday service about our mission work and calling to Christchurch.

That afternoon we joined Barry Botherway, retired Christchurch executive, for a trek in the Cashmere Hills above Christchurch to pray over the area and hear their plans for a large, 24 hour/day, prayer facility. It was a beautiful place and an amazing dream that is becoming a reality.

March 6th - Enjoyed breakfast with the Dewhirsts,(our dairy farmer friends and New Life leaders) and caught them up on some of the outcomes of our ministry time in NZ. Mike summarized our sharing that the Lord had provided favor over all the door openings and relationships we had made and how He would be able to use that for the future.

March 7th - Met with Ken Lord, the founder/managing partner of one of the largest firms in Christchurch - Parryfield Lawyers. Ken, a strong voice in the business community, is an important encourager for what currently exists as Marketplace Ministry gatherings. It was an honor to learn about his story and encouraging that there is a group of about 10-15 executive businessmen that meet regularly to share their walk with one another. In addition, one of his new partners, Steven Moe, quarterly hosts a Christian business persons breakfast with speaker and an annual Christian attorney conference. It was great to meet both of these lawyers that seem to be strongly compelled to see the marketplace used in building the Body of Christ.

Above - Volunteered at Asian Language School and their subsequent worship service.

March 9th - Enjoyed 4 different congregational worship services anchored by Grace Vineyard and followed on to St. Andrews Anglican, Trinity South, and Latimer Church.

March 10th - Charley enjoyed his regular Monday meeting with Pastor Tim Capill from Latimer. Always includes some lively theological discussions.

Then it was followed by our weekly prayer meeting with leadership/members of Grace to pray over the “church”, Christchurch, and New Zealand.

March 11th - Met with the founder/Senior pastor of North City Church, Donald Scott. He has such passion for the Maori indigenous population and a genuine heart to see the greater church of Christchurch grow together. Loved his person and story. We have some unique parts of our journey in common. This was followed by a terrific time with Wes Chandler, the co-lead pastor of Living Waters Church, part of the New Life Church movement, which has been meeting in a huge white tent since the earthquake. A strong man of God with a beautiful heart for Jesus.

March 12th - We met with Sarah Jane Peez, the Co-Executive Pastor, from Grace Vineyard (City Campus). What a wonderful story about how God has walked her through multiple gates of opportunity to now leading one of the largest congregations in Christchurch. She is a very special leader and God is using her to His glory. Born in Zimbabwe, grew up in England and married a Kiwi. We connected at many points in her story but particularly her business background. Looking forward to getting back and continuing to worship with Grace Vineyard. 

March 15th - Our last Friday in Christchurch before wrapping up our deployment in New Zealand in Wanaka. It was a preparation day for travel. We had several ministry meetings planned and lodging secured for the next several days there.

And then the news came in! March 15 turned out to be the most tragic and dark day in the history of Christchurch and New Zealand. 50 New Zealand Muslims terrorized/murdered and 50 wounded. The days of NZ innocence lost! When we realized the extent of the crisis, we reached out to Josh Holland, Executive Director for BGEA RRT Chaplaincy and Stewart Beveridge, Regional Manager for Australia/New Zealand. Saturday morning after the attack we went down to the mosque and Hagley Park to prayer walk the area while waiting to hear from Stewart. We had the opportunity to minister to a distraught Christchurch resident and several first responders at the mosque crime scene area. They were very grateful for our presence and prayer.

After 24 hours, Stewart was on the ground and reached out to us but unfortunately, by that time, we had driven the five hour trip to Wanaka. It was then that we began discussing how we and BGEA RRT could have the greatest response together during this crisis of terror. Much transpired over the next few days and fortunately we were able to "pass-on" some of our relationship capital in Christchurch allowing Stewart the ability to get better traction as he brought the gifts and talents of BGEA RRT. Having been invited to the Christchurch leadership/pastor response gathering, I was able to have Stewart included as well.

To enhance Stewart's introductions, I flew back to Christchurch for that meeting on Tuesday AM. Stewart was acknowledged by Ken Shelley, Christchurch's facilitator of  the 120 pastors gathered. It was at this meeting that BGEA RRT teaching and briefing services were announced. After one earthquake and a mass terrorist event in 8 years, it is likely that the Chaplaincy Corp will be much needed in the future. Even more importantly, it was so encouraging to see the unity of those there coming together and working as “the one church and many congregations” of the city of Christchurch. This quip from Intercessor/Revivalist, Sally Curham sums up much of what everyone was feeling. "After the massive earthquake, threatening fires, flooding and now the massacre, no one will ask ‘Where is Christchurch?’ when God starts pouring out His miracles!" We are praying for that! For such a time as this . . . 

Wanaka - Friday Shabbat at The Zula Lodge / Charley with the Wells family - lovers of Jesus and champion snow skiing athletes.

Winding Down in Wanaka
We ended our time in NZ back in Wanaka. Those last days were spent reconnecting with "old" friends, prayer walking and ministry at The Zula Lodge (the Israeli outreach mentioned in our first post). We also had the opportunity to attend the ordination of a young pastor, Aaron Johnstone, to the Presbytery. Also, we witnessed his new church plant opening. 

So Long for Now and Going Home
It was bittersweet as we left both Wanaka and Christchurch. We have been blessed to meet and pray with amazing people and walk countless miles asking for God's favor over NZ and especially Wanaka and Christchurch, and for the deeper healing that is so badly needed. The nation stands now at only 33% of the population identifying as Christian. (The US is 76%) They have the highest teen suicide and domestic violence rate per capita among countries that report those statistics. A consistent theme among most of the churches was a longing for the Holy Spirit to sweep through their churches, cities and all of NZ. Please pray with us for this request so that this gem in the Pacific as a nation will once again embrace their Christian heritage and the joy and blessing that comes with that.

Charley returns for several important meetings in May! Stay tuned . . .

We were incredibly blessed to experience God over and over connecting us and giving us favor in ways that only He could’ve done and you who have been so faithful to pray for us are a large part of that blessing. He moved because you asked! Thank you!!

"Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn
and settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast."
Ps. 139:7-10

Christchurch - Flourishing but . . .

Kia Ora!! (Māori for "Hello" or "Welcome" - meaning literally a greeting wishing good health) 

Recently, someone asked how it’s going here in Christchurch. The word that immediately came to mind was flourishing. Flourishing is the word that captures the physical and economic improvement in Christchurch. Post-earthquake, physically speaking, it has come back brilliantly in just the last year. In addition, God is doing meaningful things through the Body to reclaim its Christian birthright.

with Pastor Chris and Sarah Jane Spark

Upon arrival in Christchurch the beginning of February, we have been so blessed with new Christian friends of every type. We have Scottish, British, Asian, Samoan, and of course the indigenous New Zealanders, Māori and Pākehā – which means of European descent. Our days were filled with amazing time with pastors, business leaders, para-church leaders, small group leaders, and many congregational members in various venues learning, listening, and praying.

Sumner Beach Home Group

On Sundays, we visited multiple church services throughout the day which often initiates relational meetings during the week. Just last week, we enjoyed our first prophetic conference for 3 days and what an encouragement that was. Many of our evenings are filled with meeting with small groups or just blessing Christchurch ministers over a dinner. The Christchurch congregations include Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Vineyard, New Life and non-denominational. They could be characterized as evangelical, charismatic, liturgical, evangelical charismatic, prophetic, or even simply a startup finding its niche. The good news is that we see the church standing firm in the Gospel and growing in some areas of the city. Unfortunately, the Body of Christ nationally continues in a state of decline. The most recent survey would indicate that New Zealanders that “identify” as Christian has dropped from 46% to 33% since 2013. So the obvious is that there is more work to do.

Pictures below: with Wayne and Sally Curham / Latimer Church and friends / Charley with Tomati

We have met pastors that God has called here to minister from places as far away as Scotland with the same heart and desire to see a revived citywide church and city transformation. We have met Māori brothers that have taught us the meaning of Hongi - the traditional Māori greeting (see above: Charley with Tomati).

with Robert Fruean

Also, there have been so many divine appointments and one that we have really enjoyed is right here at our doorstep in Sumner. After two weeks, we learned that our lodging host is a Christian and have begun a new friendship. This may provide us a little more stability in establishing a base camp in Sumner, Christchurch. Sumner is home away from home.

Charley is enjoying a new relationship with Robert Fruean, a recently retired Super Rugby professional who desires to be a Chaplain and help the young professional rugby players coming up. We are excited about how God is going to use this young man and his influence among rugby athletes in New Zealand. He reminds us of our good friend Mo Williams, the Jacksonville Jaguar chaplain. .

Grace Vineyard’s Church-wide Camp

Finally, there is a church we would like to highlight in this update. It is Grace Vineyard which is growing rapidly with 5 campuses and we can see God’s blessing on them. (Pictured is their annual church-wide camp.) Their motto is simply “Love God and Love One Another.” It has become Grace’s culture. Jesus said, “A new command I give you, love one another as I have loved you!” Jesus promised if we would do this one thing His church is assured of growing and being blessed. We are convinced that this is an important key for the greater church of all cities to embrace and manifest. This means more than city wide unity events which the Te Raranga ministry is leading the way in Christchurch. These gatherings are great and have their special purpose but we believe it is the heart of Jesus that there would be expanded leaders’ gatherings investing in intimate relationships through time and prayer for one another. There have been some gatherings of the senior church leadership such as the Thursday Club that continue with a recent resurgence and interestingly their congregations have experienced healthy growth. That is so encouraging. We believe that the Lord’s blessing will continue to flow from this simple act of obedience. Our hope and prayer over Christchurch (and Wanaka) is that there is a hunger and thirst to seek additional ways to be in real, relevant relationships and love Him by loving one another - that is His universal “church” growth strategy. There are no shortcuts.

Charley with Bazi Baker, Worship Leader, Grace Church / Behold Conference, Living Waters Church

Next Part of the Journey

Wanaka to Christchurch

Final week in Wanaka was terrific!

---

Wanaka Community Presbyterian Church

January 20 -27: Sunday service at Wanaka Community Church was rich with the presence of the Lord and an abundance of Divine appointments. Neil Cowee, retired Presbyterian pastor, shared special prayers during the service and afterward Charley bee-lined over and thanked him for the encouragement. Later in the week Charley had a 2 hour God-amazing time at his home! At church, we also met Pastor Derek Philips from Kings Church in Christchurch. We set up a meeting the next day and he debriefed us on the city's “needs” and the schism happening in the Anglican Church in Christchurch with the disassociation of several churches. We were also introduced to David Wilson, a member of Wanaka Presbyterian, who explained his son’s part in leaving the Anglican Communion in Christchurch and provided his contact info that we might encourage him on our arrival in CC. Charley is a “cradle-born Episcopalian” and we both experienced much of the same schism pain that occurred in America in the mid-1990s while we actively ministered in the Episcopal Church. Charley's story has been encouraging for those having to make this difficult decision and transition to start over again.

Poike Night at The Zula

Tuesday evening we once again had a great “Poike” dinner at The Zula Lodge, the Israeli ministry in Wanaka. We had so many rich one on one conversations with the guests. At every Zula Lodge community meal on Tuesday and Friday night (Shabbat) the Gospel is shared which generates lots of inquiries and discussions. On Wednesday, Charley enjoyed a long relationship building meeting with Pastor Wayne Ward from New Life Church (Wanaka) while Rebecca prayer walked in town. Learning that we were heading to Invercargill the following Monday, Wayne offered for us to stay at his family home in Riverton which has an amazing Christian history only a few miles from Invercargill. Wednesday evening was a special dinner outing with the managers of The Zula Lodge, Chris and Uta Nel. It was a joy to bless them before we left.

Prepping Shabbat Dinner at The Zula

Building relationships: Thursday, Rebecca maintained her daily prayer walking in Wanaka and the many relationships with guests and volunteers at The Zula. Charley was with new friends at the Wanaka Tennis Center. Friday morning was spent with Charley’s new friend, retired pastor Neil Cowee. 

Morning devotions at Zula Lodge

That evening we were at The Zula Lodge for Shabbat. Charley was asked to share the Gospel and his testimony with the 35 Israelis in attendance and Rebecca closed praying the Lord's Prayer in Hebrew. A very special evening. Earlier in the week, Charley had also been asked to give the devotional teaching for The Zula volunteers. It was a precious time with these dedicated, young Christians.

Saturday night street ministry with John (center)

As always, Saturday night we ministered with evangelist John Masters with his “barbeque ministry” to those on the street late night in Wanaka. We had the joy of being the food suppliers providing the sausages, potatoes, and onions on our last Saturday night. A small blessing for our friend John who has maintained this ministry for 10 years! Bleary eyed the next morning, we were off to Wanaka Community Church and New Life Church Sunday. A special day of worship and contacts. Our final evening, we had John and Louise Masters over and enjoyed celebrating communion and dinner together. They shared some amazing God-encounters experienced with their street ministry. Time to pack up for our trip to the southern tip of New Zealand on the way to Christchurch

With Katie and Mikala on Milford Sound

January 28th: Our journey began to Christchurch through Invercargill and Dunedin. As we left Wanaka, I received an email from Neil Cowee encouraging us to make sure we visited his friend, Pastor Ian Wright, at the Invercargill Christian Center. (Neil had ministered in Invercargill.) On our way south, we enjoyed a side trip to Milford Sound and as God seems to do with us He introduced us to two young adults - meet Katie and Mikala, both nurses from the US. (We're still learning how to take selfies!) We loved our stay in Pastor Wayne’s home in Riverton and then off to Invercargill.

With Dayle and Ian Wright

We dropped into the Invercargill Christian Center to see if we might meet founding Pastor Ian Wright. Sure enough, he and his wife Dayle were both available and within no time we felt like we had known them for years. Our short drop-by turned into 5 hours of joy and relationship with them and several members of their staff.

The God smack revelation! As it turns out, Ian sent two of his associate pastors to Christchurch to minister in the City Center post-earthquake. The church they lead there is City Church, the same church the Lord introduced me to in September - the same one lead by Pastors Garth Po and Ysrial Clunies-Ross! This was a huge confirmation! Only God can orchestrate these Divine appointments. As we say at Highlands Community Bible Church in NC, “God’s got this!”

Pastor Ian and Charley at Bluff NZ

One of the highlights of the day was when Ian felt we should go with him to the most southern tip of New Zealand south of Invercargill to the town of Bluff which he declared is “the utmost place on earth”! We had some sweet prayer time there for New Zealand, Invercargill, and Christchurch! Interestingly, he has taken many international guest speakers down to this spot including Loren Cunningham, the founder of YWAM (Youth with a Mission). We say interestingly because we are mission trained by YWAM at the University of the Nations, the mother ship of YWAM. One final aside. We are always seeking the man of peace in all the cities we go to. Ian is referred to by many of his peers in the Southland lovingly as the “Bishop of Invercargill”.

Finally, we made it to Dunedin and settled in for a couple of days! Our time there was spent often prayer walking and learning about the city. We had been told that there was a church on every corner, however, sadly some of the buildings are no longer churches at all - see the pic below of the "Chapel Apartments" located downtown.

Chapel Apartments, Dunedin NZ

While in Dunedin, our pastor friend, Ian, at Wanaka Community Church had encouraged us to reach out to a Godly evangelical, charismatic Vicar, Stu Crossen, who has stepped away with 80% of his congregation from the NZ Anglican Communion and started a new worship center, Hope Church. He was welcoming and we had a great visit ending with an anointed albeit short time of prayer. We have now arrived in Christchurch which we have been prepping for - the next part of our deployment!!

Stay tuned – more to come!