As you read this blurb Kirsty and I will be driving back from New Plymouth, having attended the annual Baptist Hui. For those new to our congregation, the Baptist Hui is a gathering of pastors and representatives of Baptist churches from all over NZ.
The Hui began on Thursday morning with a formal powhiri by Taranaki iwi on Owae marae at Waitara. History states that this is where the land wars began. European settlers did much damage amongst the Maori community as they coveted the rich fertile soils of Taranaki. We learned about the Parihaka story.
Charles Hewlett was farewelled as the Carey Baptist College principal, and Dr John Tucker welcomed into that role. John is a lecturer at Carey and leads the School of Preaching that I’m part of. I prayed for Pip as she was recommissioned out of her Tamar / Freeset role, and released into her new calling in Timor-Leste which starts early next year.
Of significance for me was the “Gender equality in Baptist Churches” issue. I have participated in a video resource for Baptist churches which features the small number of women senior/soul pastors in our movement and their journey towards leadership.
During the Hui we welcomed in new Baptist churches of various ethnicities, re-commissioned missionaries and recognised new Baptist pastors. Please pray for Roi Nu who is yet to find a placement. For the first time in 7 years there are no vacancies for leaders of the 80 plus Baptist churches in Auckland. However Roi Nu is seeking an associate position with a community focus. At the Hui we organised a meeting for her with the regional consultants.
The Hui focussed on mission and a need for prayer. This is what God is also telling us here at Connect. We pray hard and then we seek the lost for God to save. To be a Christian in a NZ Baptist church is a healthy place to be in today’s environment. Having the support of a wider body of churches and seeing the multicultural unity and passion for evangelism which exists is truly inspiring.
God bless you today as you gather to worship Christ our Saviour and King xx
{Image Source: http://www.baptist.org.nz/baptist-hui-2017/}
About Pastor Julie
I’m passionate about the church – building believers up in their faith, to be all God intended them to be; and I’m passionate about sharing the love and hope of Jesus with people who don’t know Him yet.