Here are some photographs taken at the New Zealand Christian Network’s Unsung Heroes Awards 2013. The event was a-buzz with excitement and celebration. Once again, congratulations to the recipients and thank you to all who made this event a memorable occasion.
Our first award tonight is for the secularism category and is presented to the person who is Director of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues, and holds the Howard Paterson Chair in Theology and Public Issues at Otago University.
In the four and a half years he has had these roles since their inception he has set a wonderful example of respectful and thoughtful dialogue, engaging with academics, media, politicians from across the spectrum, business and church leaders.
He has raised the profile of public theology in New Zealand and made a significant contribution to public discourse and policy thinking.
Through the Centre, he has been prolific in organising forums, seminars, and conferences, in addition to his regular teaching responsibilities.
Andrew Bradstock – Secularism
His areas of interest include:
• The value of the ‘common good’
• Theological responses to ‘global’ issues
• Meanings of ‘secular’, and
• The use of religious language in the public square
Just last week, he and a colleague released an important piece of research on Understanding Secularism in New Zealand.
He has been a good friend of New Zealand Christian Network.
We are sad that he is returning with his wife Helen to live in England at the end of this week, but we are delighted that he could make the trip up to be with us here tonight.
Please welcome Andrew Bradstock
Our next award, for the Marriage and Family category, goes to two people who have been leading Family Life and helping Kiwis build successful marriages and families since 1994.
Family Life has grown from an idea discussed in someone’s living room 22 years ago to conferences and events all around the country, reaching over 20,000 people through the “Weekend to Remember”, “Day Together” and “Understanding One Another” events.
Family Life receives feedback constantly from couples whose marriages have been given hope, many even saved from the brink of divorce.
Andy and Nikki Bray – Marriage and Family
The husband is a walking miracle, having survived a kidney transplant, a serious stroke, on-going dialysis, and a number of cancers. The wife is a gracious tower of strength.
They are parents to Olivia (18) and Ben (17). They also have a 3rd child, Natasha, who died tragically at 16 years old in the Mangatepopo River Tragedy. Natasha’s story is recorded on the dvd “Jumping in Puddles”.
In addition to speaking at Family Life live events they are sought after conference speakers, have authored 2 books “Treasures in the Darkness” and “First things First”, and have regular slots on New Zealand’s Radio Rhema.
Please welcome Andy and Nikki Bray
Our next award in the Value of Life category goes to a young woman who leads the Pro Life group that was facing disaffiliation from the Auckland University Student Association in 2012 after complaints alleging it was harassing students and spreading misinformation about abortion.
This person’s gentle, gracious style and leadership were instrumental in challenging the attack on freedom of expression and truth, winning a vote against disaffiliation following a public debate by 227 votes to 125. Support came from many students who were not members of the club, but who recognised that freedom of expression is a right worth protecting.
Amy Blowers – Value of Life
Her deep belief in her cause and ability to unite hundreds of likeminded people from the University together are two qualities which were crucial to this result.
New Zealand Christian Network had an opportunity to see this person first hand when she addressed a gathering of Christian leaders at very short notice. Many present were powerfully moved by her words and manner.
ProLife New Zealand aims to:
• Inform young people of the effects of abortion and other choices
• Support women who have had, or are considering abortion, and refer them to appropriate counselling services.
• Running public forums and seminars
• Promoting the adoption option as a viable choice
Amy Blowers is not able to be with us tonight but we would like to show this brief message from her
Our next award in the All of Life Faith category goes to the Director of Youth Services at the Eastern Southern Youth Trust in Wellington.
This is a Charitable Trust founded by 2 Youth Pastors, one from the Eastern Suburbs and the other from the Southern Suburbs.
The Trust was formed to address a significant gap between the quality of youth work and care of families in the 2 churches compared to what was available in the wider community.
Lorma Gray – All of Life Faith
This person has worked on the ground with young people in the Eastern Suburbs for over 10 years, and works through the Trust to establish, enable and sustain effective long-term faith-based youth workers in these communities.
Under her leadership the trust has been intentional about developing professional Youth Workers and has become known for consistently delivering a high standard of work in complex culturally diverse settings
She is passionate about helping young people reach their potential and will create any opportunity she can for them to explore their gifts and talents and use them to help others around them.
She has 3 children, is a Nurse with experience in Surgical, Outpatients, and Acute Psychiatric wards, has been a Baptist Youth Pastor for 10 years, is a Strength Coach, holds an Advanced Diploma in Youth Work, and is a Professional Supervisor.
She lives her faith
Please welcome Lorna Gray
Our last award – Bicultural Mission – goes to a man who in 1991 planted a church on the East Coast. The church has seen rapid growth and today helps hundreds of people discover a new quality of life applying the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Norm McLeod – Bicultural Mission
When we asked the local minister’s group convenor about this man, he talked about his staying power, his commitment to the local people, and his work in building bicultural relationships.
He believes the Church must go beyond just a Sunday activity and also have a significant social and economic ministry to its community as well.
To this end House of Breakthrough has a 20 year social and economic development plan for Tairawhiti involving housing, education, health, social justice, employment and reconciliation relationally and culturally.
The Church’s main thrust is to the city of Gisborne, with ministries such as budget advice, marriage and family counselling, addiction counselling programmes, food parcels to the poor, and after school care for children.
At a bicultural peacemaking hui organised at Auckland in May this year, our award recipient delivered an impromptu message which impacted those present powerfully because of the history, the expansive vision, and the mana of the person who spoke it.
Please welcome Norm McLeod from the House of Breakthrough in Gisborne
Citation given by Glyn Carpenter, National Director of New Zealand Christian Network
New Zealand Christian Network is a broad-spectrum network of churches, Christian organisations, and individuals, with a Board of Reference that includes leaders from all the main denominations. It seeks to “help Christians work together, build the Church, and positively influence society”.
In May 2012 the board of New Zealand Christian Network made a decision to inaugurate a new award, to be known as the New Zealand Christian Network Unsung Heroes Award.
The purpose of this award is to honour the good work of individuals and groups which has gone largely unrecognised, to encourage others, and to give glory to God who inspired and empowered them.
This year’s event is being hosted in Parliament by MP Tim Macindoe, with awards being presented in categories related to New Zealand Christian Network’s key projects. These are:
A person or group who is doing exceptional work in raising awareness of issues related to secularisation and equipping Christians to address the issue; possibly a person who works in a challenging secular workplace or public office, and who presents a clear Christian witness in deeds and in words
A person or group who is having significant results in the area of strengthening marriages and families; this might be through writing, teaching, speaking, counselling, or some other activity
(including issues from social justice and human rights to euthanasia and abortion)
A person or group whose life and ministry involves any of the types of issues just mentioned and who articulates the biblical foundation of life “made in the image of God” in the context of their ministry
A person or group who is an inspirational role model of 24-7 Christian faith, including worship, witness, words, and action; someone of who brings to mind Paul’s statement “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1Cor 11:1)
We also have a special category for this year flowing out of the 200 year Gospel Bicentenary taking place in New Zealand next year:
A person or group who is recognised in their community for having contributed significantly to bicultural relationships, peace-making, and mission.
The individual citations will be read by Seth Fawcet and Gary Colville immediately after Tim Macindoe has shared some thoughts with us. But before I invite Tim to the front, I do want to say a special word of thanks to artist Karen Sewell who has designed these beautiful artworks which are being given to the award recipients tonight.
It was a delight meeting Karen just a few weeks ago at the church she attends in Auckland where she was exhibiting an artwork related to the Marriage Bill. When we started talking about Unsung Heroes, Karen raised the idea of developing a creating special Unsung Heroes trophy – like our very own Oscar or Grammy – and I am absolutely thrilled with the result.
I also want to thank Karen’s husband Dr Graham Sewell, and his partners Dr John and Mary Clark, who through the Tamaki Family Health practice which they run, have largely funded these works of art.
I also want to thank Russell Dunn and Manna Christian Stores for their most generous donation of book vouchers to each of the recipients tonight. Manna Stores provides a wonderful service in their stores around the country – not just for the products they sell, but also the warmth and friendliness you’ll experience whenever you visit their stores. When you do visit next, please make sure to mention the Unsung Heroes.
Now, please welcome our host tonight – Tim Macindoe
MEDIA RELEASE: With the amended marriage law coming into effect today, New Zealand Christian Network is asking MPs and others who advocated for the law change to respect the freedom of belief and conscience of those who hold different beliefs on this matter.
National Director Glyn Carpenter said, it would be a pity if those assurances are ignored and people are forced to participate against their consciences with ceremonies they do not agree with or face consequences.
“This affects far more people than just marriage celebrants. I have heard this week from people involved in service industries who are worried they may have to close their businesses if they do not provide services for marriage ceremonies they don’t agree with.
“Freedom of belief and conscience need to be taken very seriously, not just for ordained ministers, but for all people” said Carpenter.
[ENDS]
National Director Glyn Carpenter said he is very pleased to announce that NZ Christian Network has gone regional.
“Regional Advocates have been confirmed around the country based for the most part on relationships developed over the past 10 years” he said.
All of the people selected have a keenness for unity and to see the Gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ – extended throughout New Zealand.
“I will continue to make visits around the country as I have done previously”. But the Regional Advocates will significantly enhance the work of the Network by receiving our regular updates and then highlighting items of particular relevance within the region to local ministers’ groups.
Essentially you could say we all resonate closely with Jesus’s prayer in John 17 …
“may they be one that the world will know”.
Regional Advocates will also take responsibility to send information about local issues and initiatives which may be relevant or of interest to other parts of the church to NZ Christian Network for wider distribution.
“Just today I received a call from the Northland Regional Advocate who told me about 12 churches in Whangarei that are working together through the Just 10 study series, and about the sense of blessing and encouragement that it is having”.
[ENDS]
Regional Advocates (June 2013)
1. Northland (Ron Brewer)
2. Auckland (Bruce Patrick)
3. Waikato (Derek Allen)
4. Bay of Plenty (James Muir)
5. Gisborne (Ray Sheldrake)
6. Hawkes Bay (Bruce Collingwood)
7. Taranaki (Martien Kelderman)
8. Manawatu-Wanganui (Robert Scott)
9. Wellington (Nick Field)
10. Tasman-Nelson-Marlborough (Bob Barnes)
11. West Coast (Tim Mora)
12. Canterbury (Max Palmer)
13. Otago (Peter Cheyne)
14. Southland (Ian Wright)
National Director Glyn Carpenter said he is very pleased to announce that NZ Christian Network has gone regional.
“Regional Advocates have been confirmed around the country based for the most part on relationships developed over the past 10 years” he said.
All of the people selected have a keenness for unity and to see the Gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ – extended throughout New Zealand.
“I will continue to make visits around the country as I have done previously”. But the Regional Advocates will significantly enhance the work of the Network by receiving our regular updates and then highlighting items of particular relevance within the region to local ministers’ groups.
Essentially you could say we all resonate closely with Jesus’s prayer in John 17 …
“may they be one that the world will know”.
Regional Advocates will also take responsibility to send information about local issues and initiatives which may be relevant or of interest to other parts of the church to NZ Christian Network for wider distribution.
“Just today I received a call from the Northland Regional Advocate who told me about 12 churches in Whangarei that are working together through the Just 10 study series, and about the sense of blessing and encouragement that it is having”.
[ENDS]
Regional Advocates (June 2013)
1. Northland (Ron Brewer)
2. Auckland (Bruce Patrick)
3. Waikato (Derek Allen)
4. Bay of Plenty (James Muir)
5. Gisborne (Ray Sheldrake)
6. Hawkes Bay (Bruce Collingwood)
7. Taranaki (Martien Kelderman)
8. Manawatu-Wanganui (Robert Scott)
9. Wellington (Nick Field)
10. Tasman-Nelson-Marlborough (Bob Barnes)
11. West Coast (Tim Mora)
12. Canterbury (Max Palmer)
13. Otago (Peter Cheyne)
14. Southland (Ian Wright)
