The Hibiscus Coast, 20 minutes north of Auckland, has a population of over 40,000. Good beaches and various leisure activities make this a popular place where encouraging things are happening for God’s people.

Men of Prayer. For 12 years, thirty plus men representing most of the local churches have gathered monthly, first to worship and pray and then enjoy fellowship over a shared evening meal. They go to a different church each month, praying for that church and it’s leadership. The overriding cry each month, however, has been for God’s blessing to be on His church on the Hibiscus Coast. A more recent prayer initiative, a monthly ‘Half Night of Prayer’, has increased the level of intercession for the Coast.

God has answered. We are encouraged by the steady increase overall in church attendance. New churches are being established and closer relationships are developing between church leaders. Three healing/counselling rooms have begun, as well as three Mainly Music outreaches (in Siverdale, Orewa and Whangaparaoa). We have also seen rapid growth of Kingsway Christian School with over 1100 students, most of whom have been absorbed into local congregations.

Easter Opportunities. At Easter last year a special Christian art exhibition was on display and local businesses sponsored an Easter themed sand sculpture competition. Churches on the Hibiscus Coast came together for this occasion. The first time for years!

Also, all the local churches combined to advertise their Easter services with a two page spread in the local newspaper. This coming Easter there will be a chalk art presentation depicting the Easter message in the middle of one of the busy shopping centres… We are grateful for the favour we have been receiving from the local business community.

Glory Girls. Glory Girls is made up of over 100 women from most of the churches on the Coast. They gather bi-monthly to encourage and empower women to be mighty in the kingdom. These Saturday afternoon meetings, with guest speakers from local churches, are an opportunity for women to invite unsaved friends and develop relationships. We enjoy fun quizzes, worship, testimonies and huge sumptuous teas.

I love what God is doing… He is breaking restrictions and mindsets, changing us from village church thinking to Kingdom thinking, one church Glorifying God on the Coast.

Karen

For more information and inspiration from the Church in Hibiscus Coast, email Lleon Downes, Graeme Gillies or Karen Colmore-Williams

This story appears in the City by City e-book. City by City  aims to help connect, encourage and resource prayerful, relationally based, networking and mission in towns, cities and regions across the nation.