Ashburton
Pastor David Jensen
We continue to be in limbo as we hold our services in school assembly halls that have been made available to us during our upcoming period of demolition and rebuilding. Rev. Roy Warren, our interim pastor three years ago, returned to preach God’s Word at a recent Sunday service. At our recent AGM our board members who retired by rotation but still available for election were re-elected unopposed. We praise God for restoring a number of our folk suffering severe illness.

Darfield
Pastor Jim Patrick
Church life has included tranzsend Self Denial Appeal (May), cell groups, a Winter Wild Foods dinner for international guests in our community (June), Courteney Blake heading away on a 6-month YWAM missions trip (June), answered prayer for healing for church members, a farewell to Dolly Bation who is returning to the Philippines after working here for many months (July), and a women’s camp in late July with 30 attendees. We also celebrated the engagement of Hamish Dennis and CareyAnne Ellis, and grieved at the passing of Gladys Turrell. One week our pastor headed down to celebrate the centenary of Gore Baptist Church, where they were involved during the 1960s, and came back to a men’s choir the next Sunday. We praise God for his grace to each of us.

Papanui
Pastor Ed Karlsen is on study leave. Margaret McFedries is our new Small Group Pastor. Social events held include a women’s café night and a create evening, and men’s ministry breakfasts during the World Cup. A regular board games afternoon has started. Young and not-so-young took part in the 40-Hour Famine and raised several thousand dollars. A kitchen naming ceremony took place at Te Koru Youth Centre in memory of youth workers Teresa Nihoniho and Kylie Katene. Youth-initiated House Church on Sunday nights and the Y@P programme on Wednesdays are having a deep impact on our teens and young adults.

Caversham
Pastors Roly Scott and Martin Baldwin
Eduard Klassen and his harp visited us during the holidays. Roly Scott had the privilege and blessing of dedicating three of his granddaughters, Maia, Hannah and Elsie, during the same service.

Owaka
Some members of our church attended a Jubilee Ministries Conference with Selwyn Stevens at En Hakkore, and learned different ways of operating an Open Church. We are now running church services giving opportunities for people to share their lives through Scripture, songs and prayer. We don’t have a main leader, but everyone is encouraged to bring what God has inspired them in during the week and to bring any needs for prayer. Each service is different, and we are learning to wait on God to meet our needs.

South Dunedin
Pastor Bruce Geddes
Good response to Prayer and Self Denial. Luncheon and farewell to Jayde Short on her journey to Ethiopia for her marriage as God unfolds his plan for her life. Many new people attending morning worship leading to a diligent outreach programme in the community and within our church organisations. Fourteen men attended PromiseKeepers and some re-committed their lives to Jesus and they shared their testimonies. Well done the holders of the mission boxes. June Stephens recovering after a few days in hospital. Youth group expanding and looking at fruitful ways of ministry. Services really flourishing – more ladies involved.