Auckland Tabernacle
Pastoral Team Leader Peter Hart
We are sad to farewell Pastor Peter and Carol Hart after 10 years of ministry at the Tab and wish them well for their future. They have made a huge contribution to the life of the church, particularly as Pastoral Team Leader for the past 20 months. The search for a new senior pastor is in full swing, as well as for some interim pastoral help. 79 Christmas boxes have been sent to PNG for Operation Christmas Child. Youth Hostel has had a good year with enrolments for next year fully booked.

Major refurbishments to our upstairs hall nearly complete. Friday night ministry on Queen St, an emerging prison ministry, increasing involvement and planning for community outreach, are all signs of the mission heart of the church.

Epsom
An outreach for Halloween was held for those passing our church on the footpath. Angel cakes and a simple tract entitled Halloween and Christianity were given out while a group prayed in the church. The sound system in the church and lighting in the hall have been upgraded. Thanks to David Hayward (Psalms) and Martin Sutherland (Colossians) who have led our study group. Our prayers are with Helen Mousavi, Bethel Hui (Chinese Pastor) and Neville Evans, who are unwell. Great to welcome Peter and Marion MacGregor into membership.

Howick
Pastor Peter Somervell

Seven men, whose names were put forward by church members, have commenced 12 months eldership training. Family camp was held at Totara Springs in September and was a wonderful time of fellowship. Andrew Ho was unanimously elected an elder. A great response to our tranzsend Self Denial offering for our Baptist missionaries. Like many Baptist churches in NZ we have been much in prayer for those in Christchurch who have suffered in the earthquake. We rejoiced at the testimonies of those baptised recently. We will farewell Tony Nunez, Pastor Youth Ministries, his wife Chantelle and family at the end of November. Tony will take up his new role on the staff of The Shepherd’s Bible College in Hastings.

Manurewa
Senior Pastor (elect) Mick Duncan
Mick Duncan has been appointed Senior Pastor, commencing February 2011. We look forward with much anticipation to Mick and Ruby being with us. Celebration of MBC’s 70^th anniversary on October 9-10, with dinner Saturday night, thanksgiving service Sunday morning (speaker Lionel Stewart), NITEchurch Reunion service Sunday night (speaker Sam Kilpatrick). Help Niger Auction was well attended, good fun, and nearly $9,000 raised. Alex and Lisa Carter and Naomi Diack returned from short-term mission work in Singapore, Japan and Uganda, respectively. Pre-schoolers (and parents) enjoyed The Funky Monkeys’ visit. Youth Pastor Will Smith is running discipleship and leadership training. Elders Owen Barthow, Diane Crowe, Glen Hill and Frank Walton, together with Elder/Administrator John Toomer, elected at AGM.