We were devastated by the shootings in Christchurch on 15 March. Please keep the entire city in your prayers.
The venue that we've been asking you to pray about for months now (pictured below) has finally been made available to our church. We're still working out some of the details including which spaces we will be able to use within the building and which times we want to use them. The location is ideal for a church plant - very visible and adjacent to busy shops and restaurants in a growing area. Local Māori leadership have gifted the name "Te Manawa" to the building which means "the heart." Te Manawa includes a library and plenty of space for hire and for casual use. As a bonus, we can use their business hub as a workspace free of charge and even pay to book private rooms for meetings throughout the week. Please continue to pray for a positive relationship between Church Northwest and Auckland Council, who owns and operates Te Manawa.
Introduction Evening
On the 10th of March we held an Introduction Evening for people to meet the leadership of Church Northwest, express their interest, learn about CNW's purpose and core values, and ask questions. A total of 42 people (including kids and some visitors) turned up that evening. Several were there on behalf of multiple other family members and we're aware of other families who are interested but couldn't make it that evening. So it looks like we have a solid core from which to grow Church Northwest. We'll have a better picture of who is with us at our next gathering on the 7th of April, which will take place at our new venue.
Nate and Hamish share the vision for Church Northwest at our Introduction Evening.
Timeline
April 7th: Dedication Evening. This is a gathering of everyone who wants to be involved. Here we will share a picnic together on the grass in front of Te Manawa, and dedicate the new church to God through prayer and worship.
April 28th: Monthly services begin
July 28th: Church Launch, Weekly Services begin
Purpose Statement
Church Northwest: Helping each other take the next step towards Jesus—a community defined by a growing faith, an authentic love for all people, and an active hope for Northwest Auckland and beyond.
Church Plant Funding Update
Our Goal:
$270,000
This amount covers start-up purchases as well as operating costs for the first five years, on a diminishing basis. This does not include our salary or personal ministry expenses.
Current Commitments:
$225,000 (83%)
Family Update
Our three kids, Lane (10), Henry (8), and Finn (5) keep us on our toes every day. If we're not busy with the details of setting up Church Northwest or meeting with potential church members, you'll probably find us tending to the kiddos in some way. Lane has picked back up with violin and French lessons while Henry is excelling as a piano student. Finn is still in kindy (preschool) two days a week and is becoming a little fish because of his weekly swimming lessons. It's a tough gig, but we do feel lucky to be their parents. Please ask God to give us patience and wisdom as we do our best to provide a family in which these little people can grow and thrive.
Prayer Requests.
PRAISE: Church Venue
We've locked in our top choice for a venue for CNW! Thank God with us for providing this space. Please also continue to pray for a positive working relationship between our church and Auckland Council who operate the facility.
Unity
One of our core values that we can't afford to lose sight of is our commitment to unity among the church leadership and among all church members. This is what Jesus prayed for for all of us in John 17: that we would be one with each other just like he is one with the Father. We want our love for each other to be so real that people will see it and then believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
Church Plant Progress
Pray that God will stir the hearts of the individuals he's chosen to be involved in Church Northwest. Pray that we follow God's leading and that He will provide the workers, opportunities, and strategies we need for reaping the spiritual harvest in Northwest Auckland.
Elaine Hutchison (Nate's mum)
Please pray for Elaine as she was diagnosed stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma two years ago. Praise God that she's still in full remission. However, this type of cancer usually returns quickly, so please pray for continued success with her clinical trial.
Financial Partnership
Please pray for our financial partnerships to remain strong, that God will provide for what we need, and that we will be good stewards of what He provides. If you'd like to help, you can donate here.
Our Family
Pray for good health and positive friendships.