Prison Fellowship Update
It might not surprise you to know that the highest population of inmates per 100,000 in the world is in the United States. It might however shock you to know that New Zealand comes in at second place. Prison numbers in Aotearoa are at 9,100 right now and are forecast to increase to 10,500 by 2015. We will need at least 2-3 more prisons during this time, which will put even more of a burden on the taxpayer. The average cost per prisoner per year is $93,000. Most people tend to ‘tisk tisk’ criminal behaviour and lean towards blaming a dysfunctional family background for a life of crime....
Read MoreRwanda Mission: 25th July – 2nd Aug
Some of us who receive and read this newsletter may have seen the movie ‘Hotel Rwanda’ and perhaps been deeply affected by what you saw in that movie. I also saw it, but seeing something in a movie is very different from being where some of the ‘genocide’ actually happened. I was invited to work with a team made up of Evangelists and Bible Teachers from USA, England and Africa on a Mission project organised by African Evangelistic Enterprise and Lausanne Movement, working with the local churches in the city of Rubavu. About 280 Evangelists and Pastors attended the School Of Evangelism...
Read MoreGreg Laurie Training and Outreach
We were privileged to have Greg Laurie come and share with those with an evangelistic heart before the main Greg Laurie event at the Vector Arena. This was held at the Baptist Tabernacle and included evangelism training as well, using a variety of tools. The two days following were set aside for outreach in the CBD of Auckland. It was an exciting time. Greg gave an outstanding message focusing on how to reach the culture/s in which we are in/meet, communicating effectively to them. Other people also contributed to the days training, including those from Greg Laurie’s “G3” team. We...
Read MoreInterview with Graeme Lee by Jen Beasley
Graeme, a local Kiwi, has been passionately devoted to bringing the gospel to the people of New Zealand. For ten years he’s been in fervent prayer and preparations for the Auckland Harvest. He was confident in God’s plans, saying “I knew 2011 was God’s year for Auckland, and He proved that last night and He will show us again tonight.” Graeme speaks of the packed house at the Vector Arena, followed by a full floor of hundreds coming to Christ. It is clear to Graeme, and to the city of Auckland, that change is coming! Graeme has been involved in the crusades since the 2002...
Read MorePersonal reflections by John Collins
It’s 4:00 A.M. in Auckland, New Zealand. The sun has yet to rise on the Monday following the Greater Auckland Harvest, held Saturday and Sunday in this city’s largest indoor venue, Vector Arena. Outside the window of my high-rise hotel, five red lights have been blinking all night long. They are aircraft warning lights that sit atop various buildings in this city, each blinking at various speeds. As these silent sentries pulse away, a curious thing occurs. For several beats they all synchronize in time, and for a few moments those five lights pulse as one. Then, just as quickly,...
Read MoreAn outreach story by Alan Bate
While involved in outreach before the Harvest Event in Auckland a man I spoke to in the street on Friday said he was wanting to go to look at a pair of shoes and for some “now known” reason, he walked in the opposite direction and we bumped into each other! The long and short of it is that he went to both meetings at the Vector Arena and got right with God, i.e. he understood what repentance is all about and was prepared to turn away and walk in a new direction. Ruth and I spoke to him tonight on the phone and he is born again, after realising that his life is different than...
Read More