News Volume 12.2—April 2009

God Is Blessing Us

God has been blessing us in so many ways as you will read below.

Five Baptisms

On Sunday 8th March, beginning at 4pm we had our planned baptismal service followed by a shared dinner. Praise God we had five people baptised. Celia Hart, Kaleb Alexander, Noah Burge, Mitchell and Jordan Schäche all followed their Lord through the waters of baptism. It was a wonderful time of celebration. So many friends and family came to share in the occasion. The church was filled to bursting. We were all very encouraged. [Click to enlarge photos.]

Photos by Mandeno Moments

Tennant in the Manse

In previous newsletters we asked you to pray that God would provide a suitable long term commercial tenant for the Takanini Church Manse. God has answered our prayers.

The folk that did all the renovations have now moved in to the building. You can go to the Transformations website (www.transformationsetc.co.nz) and see a picture of our Manse on the front page. On Sunday 5th April we had a special Thanksgiving Service to celebrate. Once again there was food. Once again the church was full. We even had the team from Transformations there. Given the occasion it was inevitable that I should preach on Nehemiah, who, as you know, with God’s help undertook and successfully completed his own building project.

Christian Screen Road Show

Title slide to Christian Screen's PowerPoint presentation Over recent weeks I (David) have travelled to Thames, to Hamilton and north to Wellsford, to help Cliff and Leone Ireland Present the work of Christian Screen.

God is blessing this ministry. The work they are doing in the Pacific Islands is expanding. More libraries are being set up. Believers are being encouraged in their walk. They are finding opportunities to serve the wider church. And people, even those in prison, are being challenged to consider the gospel though the DVDs that are being made available.

Parawai Church of Christ

On Easter Sunday Evening (12th April) at the Parawai Church of Christ in Thames we had what has now become our annual Easter Celebration.

Garry Schäche took a carload of us down from Takanini. As well as enjoying the formal part of the service and the shared supper afterwards, before the service I had a chance to talk to one visitor to the church who was seeking to share the gospel with friends and family. We had the chance to share some ideas with one another and both came away encouraged.

Christian LIFE Parawai

Gavin and Alison McIntosh are continuing to build relationships with their neighbours and are seeing people turn to them for advice and help.

Pray that these contacts will bear fruit and people will come to Christ through Gavin and Alison’s ministry.

Christian LIFE Melville

Pat was an ever faithful member of our Hamilton House Church (headed up by Bill & Jan Horton). She was diagnosed with a failed pituitary gland. She had experienced skin rashes, fragile skin, and even depression of late. Unable to live on her own anymore, Pat has moved into care. All though this may not seem like a blessing, we thank God that a place quickly came available. Please pray for Pat.

You Can Bless Us Too:

The New Zealand laws around charitable giving have changed. Last year, no matter how much you gave the maximum that would qualify for a refund was $1890 and the maximum you would get back as a refund on charitable giving was $630. From this year the sky is the limit (up to the amount of your Gross Taxable Income). That means if you gave $3000 you will get back $1000.

You might have given the same amount last year (say, $3000). If so, you only got back $630. If you are getting “extra” this year, why not give it again, in support of the Lord’s work?

ACCONZ Prayer Points

Thank God for the five who were baptised at our Baptism Service on the Sunday 8th of March at Takanini.
Thank God that he has provided a suitable tenant for the Takanini Church Manse.
Thank God for the success of Takanini’s Thanksgiving Service. Pray especially for God’s blessing upon the visitors that attended.
Thank God too for the growth of the Christian Screen ministry. Pray for Cliff and Leonie Ireland as they lead this vital outreach into the Pacific.
Thank God for the success of the Thames Church Easter Celebration and for the chance to encourage one another while there.
Pray for Gavin and Alison and the contacts they have made in the Thames Community.
Pray for the provision of further employment and finance for Gavin and Alison.
Pray for Pat as she adjusts to her new living situation.
Thank God for changes to our tax laws that will allow Christians to support the Lord’s work ever more generously.

Yours in Him

David Burge.

on behalf of ACCONZ

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Advent Christian Conference

of New Zealand