In October 2005, we began preparing to plant new and relevant churches in New Zealand.  In November 2007 we moved to Auckland, New Zealand to work with Shore Community Christian Church for one year.  After a visit back home, we moved to Christchurch, New Zealand with the rest of our team to plant our first church.  Preview Sundays for RECHURCH began in September 2009.  The official launch of the church is set for 21 February 2010.

“Hope Is Good.  What We Need Is Caffeine.”

                                                   ~Mohindar Zuresh, NBC’s Heroes

When we announced our plans to our home congregation, a lady approached us after the service.  She informed us that her sister had lived in New Zealand for three years, but had returned home to Britain in a deeply depressed state.  “They just have no hope,” she said.  “There is such a great need.”

We are also focusing on this region for another reason.  New Zealanders, as well as Australians, have a global reputation of equality, fairness, and peace.  Because of this, they have access and influence in parts of the world that Americans do not, such as the Middle East and northern Africa.  Effective ministry in New Zealand is effective ministry for God’s global Church – and we are working to raise up missionaries to reach people who need Christ, but who lie outside of our grasp.

DID SOMEONE SAY NEW ZEALAND?

So why New Zealand?  Why not Africa, or China, or the Middle East?  We asked those questions ourselves as we considered this opportunity.  The fact is, the state of Christianity in New Zealand is nearing a historical low-point.  Our most current information estimates that only 5-10% of New Zealanders attend church.  Much like western European nations, the people have abandoned their relationships with Jesus Christ for secular lifestyles. 

As a result, the nation is plagued with broken families, substance abuse, legalized prostitution, and one of the highest suicide rates in the world.  And because this trend has continued for over a generation, there is a shortage of well-trained, biblically-sound Christian ministers.

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