We were blessed to start March with a visit from family! Joel and Jackie Szwarga spent several weeks experiencing life and ministry in New Zealand and bringing a boost of encouragement to us. The church family enjoyed their visit as well, hearing Joel preach, and some of them having opportunity to go soulwinning together.
While they were here, we took a short trip to Matamata for a brief tour of the church plant location. Several days later, the building we were planning to rent was confirmed and booked! Thank you for those who prayed regarding this building, as it is in a great location in the center of town and has an ideal setup for church services. The availability of the building has given us the opportunity to launch the church on November 17, 2024. Meetings with the families involved are ongoing, as well as several outreach projects that will allow us to hit the ground running later this year when we move to Matamata.
On the first Sunday of the month, a man visited the church after live streaming for several months. He trusted Christ that week and has been faithful and growing spiritually. First-time guests dot each service regularly. One couple who visited recently, after meeting them at their house, found our church perfectly conservative in style, although in disagreement on the strong Bible position. While another visiting couple felt that the strong Bible position was great but we should be more accepting of sign gifts. However, it is refreshing when new believers come into the church, as the man who came earlier this month, searching for the truth, hungry to learn and willing to be taught.
Easter Sunday, culturally, is an opportunity to have the weekend off work and not much more than that. A message on the Resurrection was brought by Pastor Fraser, with a dozen visitors present. The evening attendance was steady in the seventies, with one visiting family.
The theme of this letter and of this year’s first quarter has been the lost searching. We speak weekly to people who are searching for the truth, which is exciting to hear; but so often they are blinded to it even while it is presented to them directly.
We appreciate your continued communication and financial support as we serve on your behalf in New Zealand.
Thank you for praying,
Josh, Alyse, Bentlee and Raelynn Szwarga