Kaitaia
Pastor Louis du Plessis
We commenced the New Year with a Word School each Tuesday evening covering the foundations of our faith taken by the pastor. It will continue for 26 weeks. Cell groups have recommenced. One evening Rod Walsh of Creation Ministries showed us evidence of the flood and Noah’s Ark and shared some great resource material. It was a public meeting and was very well attended.

At a men’s breakfast, nuclear scientist Dr Jimmy Bester spoke to 75 men from the community about the ‘The impact of fatherhood.’ He also spoke at the Sunday morning service and gave us a glimpse of creation in the microscopic world. We had a church picnic at Diggers Valley with beautiful old trees, a swimming hole and lots of good food and fellowship one Sunday. Adele Butler has gone to Faith Bible College this year; we are praying that God will bless her.

Whangarei Central
Senior Pastor Graeme Young
The first three missionaries from our church went to China. Ian and Maybeth recently celebrated 40 years of missionary work. Resurrection Sunday included four baptisms, two people belonging to our Chinese congregation. It was a joy to hear 15 Chinese members sing with Tony Chen, their intern pastor. John Dawson, World President of Youth with a Mission, spoke on Palm Sunday. The updated kitchen is a boon as it has much more storage.

Auckland Tabernacle
Senior Pastor Lindsay Jones
A buoyant spirit pervades the four congregations as we continue to follow God’s promptings to take the gospel out into our community, and around the world through our large missions team. Outreaches during Chinese New Year and a number of programmes outside the church, especially over Easter, have quickened the evangelistic heart of our people, as well as interaction with our city community, students, tourists and international residents. The strategic location is a huge privilege that God is using. Search for a morning congregation pastor continues.  

Epsom
Our EBK (Epsom Baptist Kids) has commenced under the leadership of Ellen McBurney. Several members attended the World Day of Prayer meeting at a local Anglican church, where the programme came from Malaysia. At its last meeting, our BMF group discussed the challenges of true justice. We acknowledge June McMillan’s contribution to education as she retires as Principal of Chapel Downs School. We celebrate with Jasmine Hui and Omid Nadal on their recent marriage. Our loving sympathy to Margaret Whittaker in the loss of her mother.

Manukau City
Senior Pastor Alastair Hall
Two new ministries have started. ‘Link’ is an opportunity to give away things you no longer need to others that have a need. Super Friday for seniors includes table tennis, indoor bowls, line dancing, board games, crafts, good food and a speaker. We had a drive-in movie on the four evenings leading up to Easter, showing The Lion King. We had an awesome turnout and it was great to do something for the community. Youth had a great time at Easter and E Camp, with more than 50 at each. For morning church we are doing a series in Psalms.

Manurewa 
Senior Pastor Mick Duncan
January morning services we welcomed Steve from Freeset and a series of messages from Graeme Carle. After 5 years as Associate Youth Pastor, we farewelled Will Smith. He, Jana and Abbey have left for Phoenix, Arizona, until December. We welcome Wilson Chan as our new youth worker. Great to welcome Dave and Denise Tims into membership, and to partner with them in their work with UNOH (Urban Neighbours of Hope) in Randwick Park. Mick commenced ‘The Way Forward,’ with 3 seminars in March. Kiddy Winks Kindergarten is enjoying extra space following renovations. Children’s ministries are growing, necessitating an extra Sunday morning pre-school programme. Mick has commenced a new series on Acts.