Kaitaia
We are encouraged with some new families coming to the church. We recently had a combined church raft race and fun day at the beach. Our team won the cup. We also had a couple of country picnics where we enjoyed the fellowship and barbecues; a bush camp for the younger youth. Our woman’s combined camp was well attended with a number coming from outlying areas. Marion Chan was our guest speaker.

On August 21-23 we celebrate our 50^th anniversary. We are seeking a new pastor and praying God will lead the right person to us.

Albany
Five were baptised at the church family picnic held at Wenderholm. Sunday’s Kidz Klub activities are stimulating in a new format, thanks to Julie Read and team. Phillipa spoke to us prior to leaving for Bangladesh. We are supporting her in language study and work in Kolkata. Sadly, our much-loved pastor Graham Read has resigned due to ill health. With Cherie Stevenson as assistant pastor and a supportive leadership team, he is hoping to be with us for a few more months. Cherie has commenced a new series based on The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. We are encouraged by the clear teaching.

Epsom
We celebrated Easter with a Tenebrae Good Friday evening service, a Mandarin/English service on Easter Saturday and a Resurrection Easter Sunday service where the singing group sang “O Sacred Head Sore Wounded.” Our pastor is preaching on St Mark’s gospel with many challenging new ideas. The Self Denial programme was held in May. Ellen McBurney and Nina Whittaker are leading the children’s Sunday programme. We welcomed Andrew and Margaret Picard and David and Beverley Hayward into membership with joy.

Manukau Central
Pastor Matti Koopman
Church camp in February was a wonderful time of connection with thought-provoking teaching from Mick Duncan. Last month we farewelled Pip to Asia with an informal potluck at the House of Brown. New Connect groups have started this year, including the P&D (painting and decorating) group who are meeting weekly to complete the painting on our upgraded toilet and office areas. Project leaders David Hydes and Ian Whye have contributed greatly with the rest of the team. Matti had led us through a series on the Kingdom of God. We enjoyed a visit by Vicar Sarah Hobbs and her team, and look forward to hosting the Bruce Collins event on June 10-12 led by New Wine.

Northwest
Paul and Sarah finished as youth pastors at the end of 2009. They continue worshiping with us until September when they become permanent overseas staff of tranzsend. We welcome Rob Stacey as our new youth pastor. About 70 young people come each Wednesday evening, about half from non-church families, so Rob has a great challenge and fabulous team of helpers. Our annual 10 days of prayer and fasting was the focus from May 13-23, Pentecost. New Alpha course started on May 6 with 16 in attendance. We run identical Sunday services at 10am and 5pm including a children’s program. Baptisms were celebrated recently with testimonies encouraging the church family in the range of ways we can come to know our Lord.

Ponsonby
Minister Jody Kilpatrick
130^th celebrations in April included poignant and humorous historical snippets in the weeks leading up to a Saturday night dinner followed on Sunday by John Tucker from Carey College preaching on “A force to leaven and purify: New Zealand Baptists and social action.” CORT (Community of Refuge Trust) continues to provide housing and support for 170 people. Jim Pearson is now employed part-time to strengthen the links between the church community and CORT. Several barbecues and a holiday/retreat for some CORT tenants at Anne and Ron Zeeland’s place on the Coromandel are some of the initiatives. It is great to have Isabel Duff ably fulfilling the part-time church admin position.

Auckland Tabernacle
Pastoral Team Leader Peter Hart
Our profile in the community is strengthened by services such as the creative Easter celebrations and the ANZAC Day commemoration service. About 100 from the Tab went to war, and 36 laid down their lives. A powerful sermon on God’s answer to war (the family, the government and the church) will long be remembered. Visitors continue to join us. Our Chinese congregation’s Easter evangelistic outreach was also well attended. Extensive work by a transitional leadership group over the past five months has been fruitful. A search committee will be formed to look for our next senior pastor. The church is in good heart, and God is clearly blessing us during this transition time.