by Dr Stuart Lange | 1 Jul , 2025 | About Christianity, Articles
This Tuesday (24 June), over 320 people gathered in an upstairs lounge at Sky Stadium for the Wellington Prayer Breakfast. This event arose out of a partnership between the New Zealand Christian Network and the Wellington Church Network, and was led by Pastor Phil Coates.
After a short mihi whakatau led by Ven. Don Rangi, a buffet breakfast, and some worship songs, we then began praying in groups.
Prayer Topics included
1. The Social Needs of Wellington
2. The Governance & Leadership of the Nation, our City and the Church
3. Spiritual Renewal in Wellington
One of the MPs who attended wrote: “I’d like to express how much I appreciated the Tuesday breakfast…It was inspiring and encouraging”.
Thank you to everyone to came and prayed, and to our generous sponsors. The Prayer Breakfasts wouldn’t be possible without the sponsors, and we are extremely grateful to them all. The primary sponsoring organisations were cbm and Barnabas Aid, supported by Laidlaw, Alpha, Bible Society and World Vision.
We’ve already booked Sky Stadium on 30 June 2026 for our next Wellington Prayer Breakfast! Super Early Bird tickets are now on sale.
Visit our Facebook page to view some photos of the Wellington Prayer Breakfast.
Next up is the Christchurch Prayer Breakfast on 30 July 2025, followed by the Hamilton Prayer Breakfast on 9 September, and the Auckland Prayer Breakfast on 23 October.
by Dr Stuart Lange | 1 Jul , 2025 | About Christianity, Articles
God alone fully knows the rights and wrongs of every situation, and what is happening, and what will happen, but we can be praying. For example:
1. Pray for the Christian minority in numerous Middle East contexts, who are often exposed to misunderstanding, discrimination, persecution, and bloodshed — pray that they may live with faith, courage, and grace, that the Lord may uphold them, and that they may shine with the light of Christ
2. Pray for all who suffer and mourn, in every place. Pray for those who have lost their home or livelihood, or are injured, or displaced, or lack sufficient food or water, or who feel great fear and hopelessness — pray that they may find help, and comfort and peace in God
3. Pray for those who are still cruelly held as captives — pray that they may have a revelation of God, survive, and be released
4. Pray that from the scriptures of the Old Testament, all leaders in the Middle East may remember what the LORD requires of them, as in Micah 6:8: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”.
5. Pray that the people of Israel may, in great numbers, find the true and living God through faith in Jesus (as in Romans 11:26)
6. Pray that, by a miracle of God’s grace, there may come a shift in the spiritual climate of the Middle East, and that leaders of various faiths may pull back from bitter enmity and the undying quest for vengeance and total victory — and instead seek reconciliation, and begin to learn to live peacefully alongside others with kindness, respect, and impartiality
7. Pray that God’s will and purposes may be done on earth, as it is in heaven
by Dr Stuart Lange | 30 May , 2025 | Articles, Christianity in New Zealand, Featured
Christians meeting together for prayer is not a new thing. It often happened in the New Testament church (e.g. Acts 1:14, 2:1-4, 2:42, 4:24-31). Inter-denominational prayer gatherings are held in many New Zealand towns and cities, at the initiative of various groups, and there is a long history of such events in most places. That has always been good, because heartfelt prayer always matters (Ephes. 6:18, Col. 4:2, 1 Thess. 17).
An encouraging development in recent years has been city-wide Prayer Breakfasts in various New Zealand cities, as a result of a partnership between the New Zealand Christian Network and groups of Christian leaders in different cities, generously supported by a number of sponsoring Christian organisations. There is a special blessing when believers come together in unity from all sorts of different churches and cultures, and pray and fellowship together.
The first of the NZCN-associated Prayer Breakfasts was the Auckland Prayer Breakfast, in 2016. Its venue is an upstairs lounge at Eden Park. In 2024, 670 people attended. Rev Dr Richard Waugh tells the story of the APB here. Pastor Dale Campbell (Auckland Church Network) comments, ‘There really is nothing quite like the prayer breakfast to show the visible unity of the Church in Auckland’. This year’s Auckland Prayer Breakfast will be held on 23 October. Book tickets.
The Hamilton Prayer Breakfast, with Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau as MC, began in 2019. It initially met at Hamilton City Gardens, and more recently at the Claudelands Events Centre. Last year, 460 people came. Rachel writes: ‘As we approach our 6th Annual Hamilton City Prayer breakfast – we give all glory for God’s faithfulness. The 2025 theme of unity comes from Ephesians 4:3 – “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” Let’s start with His Church, and may this unity overflow to pour out over our City and throughout our communities.’ This year’s Hamilton Prayer Breakfast will be on 9 September. Book tickets here.
Coming up very soon, on 24 June, will be the inaugural Wellington Prayer Breakfast. The Wellington Prayer Breakfast will be held at the Sky Stadium. Pastor Phil Coates is the Wellington coordinator. He writes: ‘For many years, Wellington City hosted Capital Prayer Breakfasts, drawing together Church, business and community leaders to pray for our city and nation. These breakfasts ceased just prior to Covid, but we are excited to be gathering together again, this time in collaboration with NZCN and Prayer Breakfasts being held in other cities across the nation. With the emergence of the new Wellington Church Network, we are believing that annual Prayer Breakfasts will be wonderful opportunities to seek the Lord’s favour and blessing on our city.’ Note that tickets for the Wellington Prayer Breakfast close on 17 June. Book tickets here.
And in Christchurch, on 30 July, there will be the inaugural Christchurch Prayer Breakfast, which will be held in the Christchurch Town Hall. This complements some previous events, including those organised by Te Raranga. The Christchurch organising committee coordinator is Rev Dr Clint Ussher. Book tickets here.
‘Do you love your city? Do you love prayer? Do you love God? Do you love breakfast? Then it would great if you can be part of your local Prayer Breakfast’. – Sanjai Kandregula (Auckland Prayer Breakfast Committee)
As with any such event there are considerable costs involved. Currently ticket prices are 50% of the actual cost per person, with sponsorships and donations covering the remaining 50%. We are very grateful to this year’s sponsors: lead sponsors Barnabas Aid and Christian Blind Mission (cbm), along with Bible Society, Alpha, Laidlaw College, Christian Savings, World Vision, New World Morrinsville, Family Life, Parry Field Lawyers, and Vision Complete Earthworks.
We still have a few sponsorship opportunities, get in touch with Esther to find out more. In addition, anyone may make a donation to help further the reach of our Prayer Breakfasts (such donations are eligible for a tax rebate at the end of the financial year).
In many other cities and towns, there are other current united prayer events. We are always pleased to hear reports and updates about these.
Where local leaders feel it could be helpful, New Zealand Christian Network is always willing to explore entering into a partnership to assist the running of further Prayer Breakfasts, anywhere in New Zealand. Please contact us if you want to discuss that possibility by replying to this email.
Also, we invite Christian believers anywhere in New Zealand to join our weekly national online prayer meeting, Pray As One NZ.
by Richard Waugh | 30 May , 2025 | Articles
From the inception of NZ Christian Network (NZCN), I had significant involvement and worked closely with its national director, Glyn Carpenter. For a time, I chaired the NZCN Annual Meeting. Ecumenical work included a focus on the Auckland Church Leaders Meeting, National Church Leaders Meeting and the 2014 bicentenary of Christianity in New Zealand.
In 2016 a friend, Professor Felix Tan, who had been at AUT, was on staff at Excelsia College in Sydney, a Christian college aspiring to gain university college status. Excelsia was a sponsor of the well-known Sydney Prayer Breakfast and Felix attended that year. He was so impressed with the event, civic involvement and excellent Christian witness, that he contacted me and said that church leaders in Auckland thought about initiating such a prayer breakfast. As I was chair of the Auckland Church Leaders Meeting, I conferred with Glyn Carpenter and others, and about May 2016 we decided to launch the ‘Auckland Prayer Breakfast’. The original vision and intent were for an intentional and specific prayer across a wide variety of key city needs and challenges.
Familiar with event organising, I knew how much work was involved and wondered about deferring the inaugural event to 2017, but Glyn was determined we move ahead, and a date was set for 27th October 2016. NZCN organisation with Gayann Phillips and Robert Murray, and Glyn’s friendship with Pastor Sanjai Kandregula, meant we were soon able to form an organising team. Others who joined the oversight group at Glyn’s and my invitation were Greg Fleming, HRH Princess Se’uilikutapu, Dean Jo-Kelly-Moore, Warahi Paki, Pastor Kok Soon Lee, Won-Kong Bong and Pastor Tavale Matai’a. I had the privilege of chairing the organising committee.
We explored several venues, but it was considered a ‘neutral ground’ venue would be better than one of the larger church venues, especially to encourage the civic, business, and education communities to be involved. Pastor Sanjai Kandregula with his organising skills became ‘Event Director’ and Gayann Phillips and Robert Murray organised the booking system and promotional work to churches. The venue of the large North Lounge at Eden Park was chosen.
I undertook to approach a range of possible sponsors, Auckland City Council and members of parliament. Eventually, six sponsors were confirmed for the inaugural event: Auckland Church Leaders Meeting, Rhema Media, Bible Society of New Zealand, NZCN, World Vision and Christian Savings.
The oversight committee did excellent work shaping the programme to be ecumenically broad but mission and Auckland contextually focused. A wonderful variety of wise and knowledgeable Christian leaders, lay and ordained, led us in creative prayers. The first event attracted about 450 people and was a significant ‘success’ with a wonderful atmosphere. In my opening welcome, I made the following comments (taken from my notes), “Our breakfast is a Christian unity event and a multi-cultural gathering focused on praying for this great city of Auckland; where we live, its diverse people groups, and the challenges we have today and into the future.” We were especially pleased to welcome the new Mayor-elect, Hon Phil Goff, at the prayer breakfast. I further commented, “Mr Goff, there have been many prayers prayed here at Eden Park. Almost all have been directed at what is happening on the rugby ground! Today our prayers will be for many aspects of our city, including for you and your family, the Council and Local Boards …”
Under my chairmanship, the Auckland Prayer Breakfast was repeated in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Again, Pastor Sanjai Kandregula was the Event Director and Gayann Phillips worked with Robert Murray on the important booking and finances. Laidlaw College soon gave their support as well. With Glyn Carpenter’s retirement from NZCN early in 2017 Rev Dr Stuart Lange joined the oversight group.
A key aspect of the Auckland Prayer Breakfast from its inception was not only to enjoy Christian fellowship with many congregations and church organisations but to be a unique venue for interface with Auckland City Council and members of parliament of the region. Hon Simeon Brown was one of the early and strong supporters.
Early on, the vision developed for other prayer breakfasts in New Zealand and the inaugural Hamilton event was held in 2019 in Hamilton Gardens, initiated by Rachel Afeaki (a member of the NZCN Board) and Rev Frank Ritchie.
With our strong ecumenical commitment, we always prayed that other cities and towns throughout Aotearoa New Zealand would organise their own prayer breakfast events. So, it is a great delight for me to know of Wellington and Christchurch. Late in 2024 I had the privilege of being at the first Christchurch meeting of church leaders as plans were made to launch a Canterbury event in 2025. I very much look forward to attending, and I also commend the Auckland Prayer Breakfast as it approaches its 10th anniversary. Praise God!
by Dr Stuart Lange | 16 May , 2025 | About Christianity, Articles, The Church
The Risen Lord remains forever the living Head of the universal Church, his Body.
Catholic and non-Catholic Christians hold much in common, but also differ on many significant doctrines and practices – including the authority of the Pope.
Nevertheless, as the leader of the largest Christian denomination in the world, any Pope is an important public face and voice of Christianity in the wider world.
Popes come and go, and all of them have their own styles and emphases.
Pope Benedict was a scholar and an advocate for orthodoxy.
Pope Francis was a man of considerable personal warmth, generosity, and humility, with a heart for the poor and oppressed. He also expressed a desire for a more “inclusive” approach. All this commended him to many, both within and beyond the Christian community. But his ambiguity in some matters worried many conservatives.
As for Pope Leo, it is too early to be sure what sort of leadership he may now give to the worldwide Catholic Church. In that diverse and complicated space, he will need much wisdom and prayer.
The reality is, in whatever church we are in, we all need both church leaders and church members who deeply love God, who are passionate for the Gospel, who are faithful to God’s word, who are people of prayer, who are led by the Spirit, who are growing more like Christ, and who genuinely love others.
by Malcolm Falloon | 16 May , 2025 | About Christianity, Articles, The Church
Something remarkable appears to be happening in the Western church. Church attendance is up. News of this has come anecdotally at first, and you might have noticed it in your congregation, that young men (in particular) seem to have more openness towards the Christian faith.
There is also now some hard data to support these intuitions. The Bible Society in the UK commissioned the polling agency, YouGov, to map the changes in church attendance between 2018 and 2024. They surveyed 19,000 people in 2018 and another 13,000 in 2024 and found that over this period monthly attendance had increased fifty percent: from 8% of the population to 12%.
What is even more remarkable is that the increases are not even over the whole demographic. They found that church attendance among young men aged 18–24 in 2018 was less than 4%, but in 2024 this had increased to 21%. This represents a six-fold increase. As one commentator stated: men are waking up!
There is also a smaller, yet still significant, increase among women of a similar age. It means that in the UK, the average 21-year-old is three times more likely to attend church than a 51-year-old. Among this 18–24 age group, 35% report a belief in God(s) or some higher power, while 40% report that they pray at least monthly.
Is it the start of a revival? It is probably too early to say, but certainly, the spiritual tide seems to be moving. Is the Secular Narrative, which has long been contradicted by the ongoing growth of churches in the Global South, now also beginning to lose its grip on the Western mind-set?
To listen and read further:
