Havelock North

Our services at the Ministry Centre mean that everyone is now able to view progress on the new auditorium on a regular basis. Kerry Brewerton, formerly an elder, was commissioned as our new pastor in a special service on February 28 with Alan Utting as the guest speaker. A VBC’s Got Talent programme raised $1400 for the nine young people and two leaders who are going to Fiji in April. The team will be based at the Homes of Hope in Suva and spend time with the single mothers and their children, and participating in children’s programmes and visiting local villages. Two of the team members, Shannon Boult and Kowen Houston were baptised recently. A men’s Bible study group has commenced.

Morrinsville

Pastor Phil Pawley

Congratulations to Andrew Upton and Ben Bonnar who have been elected Head Boy and Deputy Head at Morrinsville College. They are among eight people in consecutive years to be selected from our youth group. Andrew is a guitarist and Ben is a singer in our music group. Over 50 young people and leaders spent the weekend at Cooks Beach. Pastor Phil and Dianne had the opportunity to spend time getting to know them. Howard and Irene Tiddy, Murray and Val Gubb and Kirk and Rebecca Bracey are in South Asia for three weeks assisting Steve and Heather make a suitable work area for girls working in one of the business units. Experiencing crowd, smells and heat of a large city and its traffic is something new. Community ministries are always busy encouraging and giving a helping hand with food, averaging 20 people weekly, 145 per year. One client has paid off $9,000 in a year.

Paeroa

For variety, once a month we break into small groups instead of a sermon and we are working our way through Acts. This has proved very successful. Leon Durbin preached in February and shared a vision God had given him for our church. We are excited at what 2010 holds for us. We felt 2009 was a year of consolidation and preparation and that we are about to move on. Leon’s vision confirmed this. Terry Ellis also preached in February and challenged us with ‘costly grace.’ Our music team is enriched by talented teenagers. Once a month the Youth Band leads our worship and they have done a great job. Also two musical families have blessed us when they have led worship. We are hard at prayer as we seek a Family Ministries Team Leader.

Thames

A church camp was held at Waharoa Outdoor Education Camp in February with able leading from Howard and Jane Cross using the theme studies around the topic Moving into the Promised Land. A wonderful effort made by helpers with fantastic food, picnics, walks and a camp concert. Summer Sunday BBQs are held each week. A Family Faith Forum is held to encourage parents to minister God’s Word to their children in the home. A service will coincide with Thames Heritage Week, with some members dressing in 1800s fashion. The prayer chain proves to hold a vital function and we give thanks for many answers to prayer.