Stories

Gerald had given up a life of drugs and gang affiliations several years ago and had turned his life over to Christ, but had no Christian friends. Enter Treena Davis from River Valley Baptist Church, who gave him a basket of Easter goodies and not only touched his life with kindness but also introduced him to her husband, Clinton... more»

Carolyn Sims says of her multifaceted role as Community Worker for Flagstaff Union Parish: "I just want to get myself out there in the community, say what we are and what we do and just start to build relationships." She refers to herself as 'the face you connect with the place'. more»

Thanks to Dr Jeremy Baker and his wife, Settlers Health Centre in Christchurch has become a space where people not only get medical help but can also begin a journey to spiritual and emotional health. more»

A church-based ladies' crafts group is not a novel idea, and it may even sound old-fashioned. But Jane Jensen's church has turned it into a vehicle for involving not-yet-Christians in kingdom work. She explains what got her hooked... more»

"As a church we want to bring the message of hope and love to our city," says Community Project Coordinator Mary-Kath Laita. "There are so many people out there who are hurting and who feel like they have been left to struggle on their own. We want them to know that there is a church here that cares about them as individuals, and wants to make a difference in their lives." more»

Jane Jensen, an early pioneer of Neighbourhood Watch in New Zealand and former North Shore City councillor, describes the spiritual power of connectedness that she has discovered on her street which is birthing an exciting new movement on the Hibiscus Coast! more»

One morning I got up and knew I had to get more involved with my neighbours - the once a year street party was not enough. God laid upon my heart to walk with them, because that is what I love doing. Hey - two birds with one stone, exercise and witnessing! And so "The March of the Penguins" was born. more»

When close friends get inspired to do something together, they are pretty much unstoppable. So it proved to be for Jo Duncan, Sharma Wood and Claire Gray who, in their first year at Waikato University, had their eyes opened to the needs of their city and decided to make a difference. more»

Young people dream of making the world a better place, and when community service is part of their school curriculum they get the chance to do something practical to make this dream come true.
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“It's all about relationships”, says Leao. "It starts with a smile, then you talk about their kids or their dog. When I see someone new in the park I always head over to say hello. You have to be prepared to get involved in people's lives and let them get involved in yours. Who is God holding us accountable for if not our neighbours?" more»

 “The natural outworking of being Christians in the Albany community is that we want to help Albany be a better community”, explains Carl Becker, Projects Coordinator for Shore more»

A church in Oamaru is running a successful Friday night club for kids, despite everyone in the congregation being over 55. more»

The Day Camp just grows in popularity each year. They are probably going to have to start capping numbers, because around 325 kids is about the limit the facilities can cope with. more»

It all started with a competition that required kids to hold onto a boat, without talking, for as long as they could. Nine hours, as it happens, but don't worry; the boat was on land, and the children all regained their voices. And best of all, out of this madcap rivalry a small Bay of Islands church has birthed a programme for local youngsters. more»

Mr and Mrs Ashby, aged 82 and 68, are the primary carers for their twelve-year-old grandson, Joshua, who has cerebral palsy. For Mrs Ashby, this means a gruelling daily routine of bathing, dressing and feeding Joshua, administering his medication and turning him every two to three hours at night. more»

When a small group of believers heard about the financial difficulties of a friend and family member they responded by delving into their own pockets. It was an act of love that set in motion a series of events that grew more remarkable with every stage, and which ultimately blessed not only those directly involved, but their community too. more»

For young mums with no adult company at home during the day, motherhood can be isolating. It is a crucial ministry time, and fortunately, international organisation MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) is helping churches and para-church groups to befriend and mentor mothers of young children. more»

Unseasonably cold and wet weather saw the shepherds, the wise men, the angelic choir and a young calf which was getting cold crowding into the stable with Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. That was the first year! more»

For most teenagers, school holiday means working on nailing that 180 kickflip on the half pipe, clocking the latest XBOX 360 shooter game, or hanging out with the girls catching the latest chick flick at the movies. But for thirty-one teenagers it meant signing up for YOUTHSERVE Street Invaders '09 more»

If you are a parent of winter sports-playing children, you'll know the routine. The early starts, the biting wind, the chilly, squelching mud. What you may not be so familiar with is a group of smiling strangers giving you a free hot drink to warm your hands around. more»

It is not often that a community invites a church to start a programme in its midst. So, when 12 years ago the small West Auckland community of Huia approached Laingholm Baptist Church with a request for an after-school activities club, it seemed too good an opportunity to turn down. more»

On Father's Day, 2008, St Andrews cancelled their regular church service and held their first free event in a local park, receiving such a positive response from the community they decided to make it an annual event. more»

Some might look at the junk piling up outside their neighbours' houses and mutter darkly about declining property values. However, one Upper Hutt youth group has seen it for what it really is - an opportunity for ministry. more»

Brilliant weather saw hundreds of families turn out to enjoy complimentary bouncy castles, face painting, candy floss and sausage sizzles, while clowns were kept busy making 'balloon poodles' for waiting children. more»

Vision Baptist in Glen Innes operates seven days a week out of a former import emporium in the shopping centre. On Sunday evenings they hold a service there, but the other six days the doors are open to whoever wants to wander in for a coffee, a chat, to read a book, whatever. Yep, not your average church. more»

"What started as a 'working bee' project has become a regular monthly thing. The needs are great, and we enjoy the fellowship and the sense that we are making a real difference. We ask all our people to set aside one Saturday morning a year. If we all do that, we have enough manpower to get things done." more»

Worn out paintbrushes and paint running off walls - sounds like a DIY nightmare, doesn't it? However, looking back on the challenges and hard slog involved in painting a local kindergarten, Waikanae Baptist Church reckons their very practical method of 'worship' was worth it. Pastor Nigel Scott explains why. more»

Picking up rubbish, baking food you'll never eat yourself, and doing odd jobs for others is not everybody's idea of a good time. However, for members of Plains Vineyard Church in Rangiora, a whole month spent deliberately blessing others turned out to be, well, fun. more»

This decile three school in Rotorua has a heart to empower its pupils to become successful learners. However some of the children come from homes where life is tough, and this has spilled over into behavioural problems at the school. Gradually, though, these children are getting back on track, thanks to the love and support of a local Christian trust. more»

Move 'n' Groove is a music and movement programme for adults with intellectual disabilities. It was started about eight years ago by Caroline Borger. ?��Ǩ?�It's like a blessing over their life. For some it may be the only time they have a blessing spoken over their lives. People with special needs are often tolerated but not loved." more»

Most families Cherry Robertson visits each week in her role as a community worker have long-term debt problems. For some, their money woes are complicated or caused by additional issues such as addiction or serious mental health issues. They are people for whom optimism has almost eroded away. more»

When a South Auckland church realised most of the visitors to its youth rallies were Christians from other churches, it grieved. It realised to reach 'the lost' it would have to invest time and resources in more secular and 'marketplace' events. That's when the idea for STOMP was born. more»

It sounds like something that might have happened in Auckland. Instead this is Te Aroha, and making it all happen every year is a small church called Mountain View Church. more»

While Browns Bay shoppers browse for bargains at their popular Sunday market, just metres away people are praying earnestly. Seven days a week, pray-ers gather at the Centre in four-hour shifts of two people at a time. They are there to offer a listening ear and intercession for anyone who walks in off the busy main street seeking help. more»

Darfield Baptist Church decided it would reach out by organising a multicultural concert and meal at the school hall. It invited other local churches to be involved, and initially promoted the event to staff and students at the school, but then decided to advertise it in the local paper too. That's when the fun began. more»

"The day was a fantastic opportunity for the community" said Onepoto Primary School principal, Allan Hoskins. "To mix together on a social occasion and have great fun with the games and activities. It was also very appreciated by the community to receive clothing and bedding for the winter, it was a wonderful community day for our community." more»

"We want to build a culture of service in this community, where we all start looking out for each other. Jesus explained that the ones who give are the ones who are most blessed. It's important that the church lead the way in changing that dynamic so that this community can start flourishing." more»

"What I love about Xplozion is that you get to notice people. You can have these little conversations with people and they often tell you some pretty intense stuff. Because you are there every week you get to find out what is going on for them." more»

It's Friday night in Christchurch. A white van pulls up in front of a prostitute on Manchester Street. Instead of an offer to exchange money for sex, however, a cheerful voice calls out, 'Hi there ?��Ǩ��� would you like a hot drink or something to eat?' more»

Great weather and a record turn-out marked City Impact Church's first Community Project Day of 2009 on March 7. more»

How many church-based school holiday programmes launch children on successful dance and stage careers? This has been part of the remarkable legacy of 'Ideas Explosion', a holiday programme that challenges many of our preconceptions about ministry to children. more»

Sausages, saws, spades, heart-shaped shortbread, pool competitions and 'exit mould' aren't the first thoughts of most people when they think 'church', yet on Sunday 23rd November, 2008 that's exactly what church was about as St Chad's in Meadowbank, Auckland threw open its doors and sought to serve the neighbourhood in their first 'Love Your Neighbour' Sunday. more»

The staff and clients next door are thrilled with the whole enterprise: it has brought real joy and hope. The church people have got to know their neighbours better, and have come to appreciate and admire the work that is being done there. It has been so satisfying to see the money used in this way, and there have been some remarkable spin-offs as well. more»

The school's wish list included a vegetable garden and a sandpit for the little ones. Enosa and Jonathan also discussed the possibility of clearing out of a huge area of weeds, major planting of shrubs and trees to smarten up the far end of the school and of brightening up the wall by the swimming pool with a mural. more»

"We are discovering the great adventure of Mission. It's not just about sending money overseas (although we continue to do that). Its about getting out of the pew and into the street, and it's so much more dynamic and powerful when we go as teams." more»

"The Lounge provides the opportunity for that one-on-one time which can't happen on our programme nights," explains Bob. "Our church building is 5 minutes out of town, so the lounge is the place the kids will come during the week for help or friendship. Just being safe and feeling loved is the help that some of these kids need." more»

The church was surrounded by lawyers, the police station and the courthouse opposite. While they represented the 'law', the church represented 'grace', hence the birth of this ministry. more»

Keith points out that there is a real need for low cost housing in Taupo. Most employment opportunities in Taupo centre on the tourism industry, with low average wages on offer to service workers. But the cost of housing in Taupo is very high, making it unaffordable to many. "We think God cares about it, so we thought we could help do something about it." more»

After nearly 5 months of planning and organizing, Rev. Mark Beale, vicar of St. Elizabeth’s Anglican Church in Clendon and co-organiser and world record breaking enthusiast Alastair Galpin more»

The name they came up with for the campaign was "KISS'd". The word is a well-known acronym for 'Keep It Simple Stupid', but the church gave the acronym new meaning - Kindness in Simple Service'. more»