THE SPCF STORY

In 1970, a group of men met at the World Convention of Christian Church Preachers in Adelaide, Australia.  These men, from America, Australia, and New Zealand, realized that there was a severe lack of independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ in the South Pacific region.  They also noted that among the churches that did exist, many were not stable enough to provide teaching that was true to God’s Word.   

As a result, 15 of these men formed South  Pacific Christian Fellowship.  The goal of the organization was to provide well-trained preachers to churches in Australia and New Zealand that were in need, and to provide encouragement and direction to help them remain true to the principles of the Restoration Movement.  SPCF continued this form of ministry in the South Pacific for 20 years.

In the mid-1990s, the Board felt a need to take a new approach.  Plans were started to establish new churches in large metropolitan areas.  Auckland, New Zealand was chosen as the location of the first SPCF church plant, and three American couples were sent to begin the new work.  Jeff Vines led the team, and Shore Community Christian Church was established. 

Within eight years, Shore was pushing 500 in attendance - almost unheard of in New Zealand.  A member of the church who worked for New Zealand’s Prime Television Network made the necessary contacts to enable Shore to begin broadcasting their services on national television. The program, Shore On Air, which is still in production  today, gives the church the unique opportunity to reach believers throughout the country who do not have a healthy church home of their own.  In addition, contacts made through this program provide opportunities for new church plants in the future.

Following the success of the Shore church plant, SPCF continued to raise up ministers and teams to plant new congregations in the South Pacific: Lighthouse Christian Community Church in Swansea, Australia; and Saddleview Community Christian Church in Mosgiel, New Zealand, which resulted from a Shore on Air contact.

In addition, several New Zealand students have traveled from Shore Community Christian Church to America to study for full-time ministry.  These students represent the next generation of indigenous leadership for the New Zealand churches. 

Another step forward has been the creation of a new ministry position.  Randall Brooks has taken over the role of Church Development, and will work to create a network of like-minded churches in the South Pacific, as well as develop new plant opportunities.

The future is bright for SPCF.  Additional church plant teams are forming.  New resources are being developed.  The harvest is white in the South Pacific, and with your help, we will continue to send workers.