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
