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Photo: Shore Grace

Pentecost Prayer Inititive

Redoubt North - Celebrating 25 Years of Faith and Ministry

What'sYourDream?

From the editor

Tēnākoe,Maloelelei,Nisabulavinaka,안녕하세요,Fakaalofalahi atu,Kiaorana,你好,Noa‘ia,Kumusta,Hello!

Inalllife’sjourneys,thelongerwearetogetherthemorewe experiencetheupsanddownsoflife’sevents.Wegrievetogether andwecelebratetogetheraswecontinuetofollowthepathset beforeusandhonourtheworksthathavebeendoneinbringingus tothismomentinhistory. We“standontheshouldersofgiants”aswecontinueintheworkof theGreatCommissioninthespiritoftheGreatCommandments. Werememberallthatwehavecomefrom.Wereflectandlearn fromthepeopleandeventsofourstorybecausetheyshowusboth theflawsandthebeautyofthechurch.Inlookingbackweseethe fruitofwhathasgonebefore,thewayswehavechangedandgrown, andthehopeofwhatisstilltocome.

Romans5:1Therefore,sincewehavebeenjustifiedthroughfaith,we havepeacewithGodthroughourLordJesusChrist,2throughwhomwe havegainedaccessbyfaithintothisgraceinwhichwenowstand.And weboastinthehopeofthegloryofGod.3Notonlyso,butwealsoglory inoursufferings,becauseweknowthatsufferingproduces perseverance;4perseverance,character;andcharacter,hope.5And hopedoesnotputustoshame,becauseGod’slovehasbeenpouredout intoourheartsthroughtheHolySpirit,whohasbeengiventous.

Inprayer,

Rev.DeniseBarrington

What'sYourDream?

Rev. Brett Jones: National Superintendent

For hundreds of years the greatest challenge for Christians and the churches they form together is this: to what extent will they live for the dreams of the culture and to what extent will they lay aside the dreams of the culture for the larger dream of the Kingdom of God?

It’s a tough challenge, a hard question for many reasons. It’s hard because what we want and what we think we want are often 2 different things. And so, we often find ourselves choosing between what we really want and what God says we need. It’s not so bad when it’s ice cream versus 5 plus a day. But it will really mess us up when it affects our financial choices, our relationship choices, our ethics. It’s hard because sometimes we ’ re so much a part of the culture that our choices as Christians and the church are tainted by a kind of blindness. We don’t see what we don’t see. We can even live the dream of the culture believing that it is God’s dream for us. We see this play out sometimes in the political sphere where well-meaning Christians become confused about identity and equate political dreams with God’s dream of the Kingdom - becoming citizens of the left or the right rather than citizens of the Kingdom called to the radical middle. Other times we know the cost of being distinctive will be high and the cost of fitting in is lower, less painful. We find ourselves letting some things go that we know to be wrong, turning a blind eye to offences against others we should not tolerate.

In our culture, we have a hard time dealing with hard times. Culturally, we ’ re not sure that a difficult life is something we can be proud of. Psychologist Susan Davies puts it this way: “Being positive has become a new form of moral correctness.” The dream of the good life. The great life even. A life without resistance or friction or discomfort.

ForhundredsofyearsthegreatestchallengeforChristiansandthe churchestheyformtogetheristhis:towhatextentwilltheyliveforthe dreamsofthecultureandtowhatextentwilltheylayasidethedreams ofthecultureforthelargerdreamoftheKingdomofGod?

Butthetruthisthislifeisnotavailabletous,unlesswestagemanage ourpreferencesandourpublicity,tosuchalevelthatwe’renotlivinga reallifeatall.AndcertainlynotlivingthelifeGodhascalledusto. Galatians2:20putsitlikethis:

“IhavebeencrucifiedwithChristandInolongerlivebutChristlivesin me. ”

TobecrucifiedwithChrist,istoleavetheoldpatternsofbeingand behaviourbehind.TocrucifythedreamsoftheculturewithChrist.Itis nowChristwhoissettingtheagenda;Christwhoiscallingustodream. ThedreamoftheKingdomandnotthedreamsoftheculture.Infact,it isnotpossibletoliveboth.Itwillcallustoquestionafewthings.

Arewecalledtocomfortorholiness?Where’sthebalanceofoureffort pointing?

WillweliveforpopularityorbringingpeopletoChrist?Whereisour influencebeingspent?

WhatdoourEasterplanslooklike?Whatfocusonothersarewe planningfor?

AreweNewZealand-first,orgivingourselvesawayinGlobalMissions?

Willwespendallourtimebuildingthecastle(ofourownchurches)or willwecatchthevisionofextendingtheKingdomthroughchurch planting?(hattiptoCraigFergusson).

What’syourdream?AswejourneytoEaster,whatdreamsareyou givingyourselfto?Whatculturaldreamsmightneedtobecrucifiedso thatChristmightliveinyou?It’sagoodquestiontoaskasweprepare toworshipChristcrucified,whochoselovenotcomfortashewentto theCross.

Passing of Rev. Edgar Hornblow

National Superintendent Emeritus

It is with great sadness that I share the news that Rev Edgar Hornblow passed away on Friday 14th March. Edgar has been battling illness for some time and was surrounded by family when he went to be with the Lord.

Edgar was a “ once in a generation” leader who modelled humility, compassion and faith to all he encountered. He was the founding National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Aotearoa New Zealand in 2000 and the first minister at Papakura Wesleyan in the same year.

His faith-filled vision and deep commitment to people marked his life and ministry. Please pray with me for Judy and the family as they grieve this great loss.

Edgar's memorial service will be 1pm Friday 21 March at Arohanui Church, Havelock North, followed by afternoon tea at the Havelock North Function Centre.

Rev. Brett Jones

National Superintendent

A Church On Fire

Celebrating 25 Years of Faith and Ministry -

By Rev. Peter Benzie

Rev. Peter is Lead Minister to Redoubt North Wesleyan Church which held its first service on 5 March 2000 and which cherishes its place in the history of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Aotearoa New Zealand as one of the 6 founding churches

Anniversaries are more than just milestones; they are opportunities to celebrate, remember, and look ahead with vision and faith. As we reflect on the last 25 years, our hearts are filled with gratitude for all that God has done in and through our church community.

Itbringsjoytoseechildrenwhogrewupinthechurchnowtaking theirplaceinministry,servingfaithfullyindifferentroles.We rememberthesongswrittenwithinourcongregation,thevoices raisedinworship,andthestoriesthathaveshapedwhoweare today.Werememberwithfondnessandgratitudethosewhohave leftusfortheirheavenlyhome.

Ourchurchplantingpioneersthinkofthejourneytoplantthis churchin2000andhow,throughfaithfulnesstoGod’scall,they havegainedsomuchmorethantheyevergaveup.Froma monoculturalcongregationtoavibrant,multiculturalchurch,we rejoiceinthediversityoflanguagesandworshipstylesthatnowfill ourspace.Overtheyears,wehavemetindifferentplaces,always withina500-metreradius,butthelocationhasneverdefinedus— thepeopleandGod’spresencehave.Werecalldayswhenservices wereheldonthegrassbecausetherewasnootherspace,and whenKidsMinistrytookplaceinthepark.

WhenwethinkoftheLightPartyheldeveryyearon31Octoberas analternativetoHalloween,weareremindedoftheseedsofthe gospelplantedinsomanyhearts

We know that others will water and still others will harvest those seeds – and for that we give thanks to God.

Fundraising efforts like selling car parking for Polyfest and the Lantern Festival remind us of the commitment and sacrifice of many, ensuring the church can continue its mission. These stories, and these few photos from the last 25 years, not only remind us of where we ’ ve been but also help those who join us now and in the future understand the foundation on which they too now stand.

We remember the early vision of a ring of fire a fire spreading the gospel to a wider and wider community. That vision has come to life as people who have been part of our church now serve in ministry far beyond our walls. We celebrate them - those now serving in ministries elsewhere, some as ordained ministers, others in leadership and others “just” using their gifts in their daily lives to “love their neighbour.”

As we give thanks for the faithful preaching of God’s Word, the practical acts of service, and the lives transformed, we also look forward. In another 25 years, may we see today’s young ones leading the church, continuing the mission, and carrying the fire of the gospel forward. Here’s to the next 25 years and beyond may we always be a church on fire - ablaze with passion for God, spreading His love to all!

By: Pastor Mike Turinsky

National Director, Alpha New Zealand

WesleyanPastorMikeTurinskyisnow8monthsintotheroleof NationalDirectorofAlphaNZ.HefirstvolunteeredatanAlphaCourse in2002,anexperiencethatinspiredhistransitionintovocational ministry.Alpha’svaluesof,“bythechurch,forthechurch,andthrough thechurch,”deeplyresonatewithMike’spassionforequipping churchesinmission.Therefore,hewascompelledtostepoutinfaith andacceptthisrolelastJuly.“Asaminister,I’mcalledtoempowerthe ChurchtoequipbelieverstofulfilltheGreatCommission.”

Mikeandhiswife,Jewel,arelongtimemembersof cession|communityinPakuranga,Auckland.Overthepast20years,he hasfocusedonempoweringchurchestobeonthecoalfaceand cuttingedgeofmission.Drawingfrom1John3:18and1Thessalonians 2:8,Mikeseeksauthentic,unconditionalrelationshipswithpeopleand community.HealsoemphasizesintentionallysharingJesuswhile sharinglifewithothers.

“Myheartistocareforpeople,nostringsattached,andthatthey wouldfindhopeandwholenessinJesus,”saysTurinsky.

AlphaNZsupportschurcheswithresourcesthathelpcreatespaceto bringfriendsforaconversationaboutJesus.TheAlphaFilmSeries, (thenew)AlphaYouthseriesandChineseAlphaaredesignedtotake guestsonafaithjourneycoveringkeyelementsofthegospelina clear,invitingformat,encouragingthemtoexplorequestionsabout life,faithandGod.AlphaalsooffersMarriage/Pre-marriageCourses andParentingCourses.

Visitwww.alpha.org.nztolearnmore.

Easter EngagementAroundthe Country

Papakura Wesleyan

163 Dominion Road, Red Hill, Auckland 2110

Good Friday Service, 18 April 6:30 PM,

Resurrection Sunday, 20 April 10 AM

Redoubt North Wesleyan

51 Diorella Drive, Clover Park, Auckland 2019

Passover Celebration - Thursday evening 17 April

Good Friday service - 10 am Friday 18 April

Resurrection Sunday service - 10 am Sunday 20 April followed by baptisms at Maraetai Beach (12 noon)

The Well Christchurch

364 Colombo Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023

GOOD FRIDAY, 18 APRIL 2025 - 7PM

Tenebrae Service of Shadows

Our Good Friday gathering follows Jesus' journey through shadows into the darkness of death. A sombre and reflective service of scripture, prayer, silence, and Holy Communion.

EASTER SUNDAY, 20 APRIL 2025 - 9AM & 11AM

Resurrection Sunday

Join us on Easter Sunday as we celebrate our risen Lord Jesus Christ

Last year we participated in this initiative through a 24-7 prayer roster for WMCANZ. We will be sharing that again closer to the time but we would encourage you to think about how you could encourage participation in this initiative within your own setting.

Here are three ways you can engage with this initiative:

Yourchurchcan prayfor24hours, settingupaprayer roomandjoiningin thisinitiativeby participatingatany pointduringtheten days.

Your church may be large enough or passionate enough to cover the ten days of continuous prayer!

Your church can partner with churches in your city and region or within our denomination/ movement and cover the ten days of continuous prayer together. This may look like one centralised prayer room in a town or city or multiple prayer rooms across these ten days. Not only are we praying, but we are gathering in unity together to seek God. For resources and to sign up go to: https://www.247prayer.nz/pentecost-prayer

Around the Coun summer celeb

continued......

Shore Grace - We had a busy season over Christmas and New Year starting with an African Church Plant Promotional Event: Prayer and Praise was held at Greenhithe Village Hall on December 15th A special event promoting and envisioning an African Church Plant led by Alexis and Bella Nimubona which is evolving under the umbrella of Shore Grace

Then, in the week leading up to Christmas day we held an Advent Creative Installation at church & community hub, 'No 12', open to the public to walk through. Part of being the reason for the season in the community including the Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight.

And finally, a Chinese New Year Service and Shared Lunch on Sunday February 9th We celebrated our Chinese Church & Bible Study Members, integrating their testimonies with a focus on how themes of Chinese New Year can relate to the teaching of the Christian Faith and enjoyed Chinese and international cuisine.

Event Calendar

Pastor Cluster Meetings | 29 March

Good Friday | 18 April

Easter Sunday | 20 April

Easter Monday | 21 April

Anzac Day | 25 April

National Council | 29 April

Donations

We invite you to make donations to the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Aotearoa-New Zealand. Join us to make a difference and reach the lost with the grace and holiness of Jesus Christ. Using the WMCANZ bank account number below, please include your first initial and surname in the particulars field and 'donation' in the reference field.

03-0206-0380248-000

Particulars: e.g. 'J Smith' Reference: e.g. 'Donation' Please email accounts@wesleyan.nz with your details to receive a donation receipt.

Thank you!

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