Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem. Small towns can play a significant role in the purposes of God!

Recently, Grace and I stayed in the mid-North Island town of Te Puke where Christians from a variety of churches gather every night of the week to pray for their town and wider region. This nightly prayer has been taking place non-stop for the last two years – truly a prayer meeting with the touch of God on it. On the night we attended we observed the ‘oneness’ of those present, the common love for Jesus and the commitment to steadfast prayer (maybe this is getting close to what Jonathan Edwards referred to when he talked about extraordinary prayer, visible unity and explicit agreement).

One of the three team leaders, Judy Abrahams, told us how there have been many answers to prayer, that every night is different and that this special prayer gathering has inspired Christians in other towns to start similar gatherings.

Alongside the above, local kiwi fruit growers (Te Puke being the hub for the kiwi fruit industry) have seen a remarkable turn around. Earlier this year, in the aftermath and disappointment of big crop losses due to PSA (bacterial kiwi fruit vine disease), local pastors and others gathered to pray with a good number of local kiwi fruit growers. They prayed for God’s blessing on the current harvest. The good news is that the 2014-2015 harvest has been the best ever for much of the kiwi fruit industry in NZ.

All this is ample evidence that God can well bring positive change in towns when Christians commit to oneness and steadfast prayer and together seek the wellbeing of their local community: evidence that small towns can play a significant role in the purposes of God!

The next blog will be from Nigel Irwin, pastor of Wanganui Central Baptist and the leader of the pastor’s network in Wanganui. It will be a great story on how he was led to start a significant prayer initiative.

God bless. Colin

Back in N.Z. after time out it is so encouraging to hear great stories of Christians being salt and light in their city or town.

After Jesus’ words in Matthew 5, known as the beatitudes, Jesus told those listening they were to be salt and light in their communities. He said:

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 MSG (Emphasis mine)

Proverbs 4:18 says ‘ the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day. ‘

Be encouraged, the light is getting brighter. Until next time. God bless. Colin

 “The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Let us continue to go and pray before the Lord….” Zechariah 8:21

It was a joy to share, pray and worship in Taupo a few days ago with leaders from Taupo, Tepuke, Tauranga, Te Awamutu, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wanganui and Hawera. As each group shared something of what they saw God doing in their city or town, one story built on another. Stories of a rising tide of united prayer, combined church activities, Christians gathering to bless their city or town etc. At the same time leaders felt free to share some of their pressing needs as we worshipped and prayed for one another and the cities/towns they represented. It really was an awesome day for which we give praise to God.

Here is some of the feedback:

‘It was a great day on Thursday – everyone seemed fully engaged and appreciated all that went on’.

‘We had a wonderful time on Thursday. It was such a privilege to be among so many men and women of God who have a heart for their cities and actively doing something about that. The corporate worship was awesome and the prayer and prophecy that we received for our town was so encouraging’.

‘As far as ecumenical/inter-denominational endeavours go, last Thursday was a smash hit for me. Catholics, Baptists, AOG, Lutherans and Apostolics, all in a room worshiping and Kingdom-dreaming together… outstanding!’

‘Our tanks were filled with thanksgiving for the day. The takeaway for me, was simply the need to persevere with preserving the Unity of the Spirit. To hear of the progress in places, the practical ideas some have employed, and yet hear honestly of the obstacles that pastors particularly have, was actually heartening, in that it is common across the board.’

There is much to give thanks for currently in Aotearoa. God is at work in many different ways. My mind goes to Song of Solomon 2:13, from the Passion Translation, ‘Can you discern this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of My purposes and plans are bursting forth all around you’.

Until next time. God Bless. Colin