News from New Zealand and around the world

The Case team, L-R: Ryan, Jay, Sarah, Kristin, Deborah and Jackson Case on his father, Mark's knee. Photo: William Pearse

From the Director

Enough for today

God said, "Let there be light," and there was light… And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." Genesis One.

When I start my working day, all too regularly I make the mistake of checking my email. Generally speaking, this is not a good way for me to begin because I see the list of people I need to contact and things I need to do, and I feel compelled by a sense of urgency to immediately start working through it in the hope that I might get it all completed TODAY!

But when I read Genesis One, I am struck by God creating the world in six days. What strikes me about it is that it took Him a whole six days! If I were God and wanted to make ‘creation’, surely I would just click my fingers and it would all be completed in the blink of an eye, today! But this is not what God does. On Day One He makes light and calls it ‘day’, and the darkness He calls ‘night’ – and then God looks at it and says to Himself ‘that’s enough for today’.

That’s enough for today?

For God, there was no emergency to have it all ready and perfect on Day One; there was no sense of hurry. He is more interested in purposeful progress on the things that matter rather than thoughtless urgency aimed at completing anything and everything today.

So let’s not be sucked in by that ‘urgent’ to-do list; it promises much but delivers little, because it is a list that has no end. God shows us that you don’t have to do everything at once. Rather, He calls us to walk at His pace, where there’s time to work, rest and breathe… and at the end of it all to say ‘that’s enough for today.’

—Glen Morris

Staff safe after Christchurch earthquake

Christchurch staff and workers are safe and well following the Richter 7.1 earthquake which occurred at 4.35 am on Saturday 4 September. Old houses and the central city were theworst hit. A State of Emergency was declared. At the time of writing, Christchurch has eperienced many significant afershocks.

National Director Glen Morris writes:

"As I watched some of the earthquake damage on TV, what came to mind was these verses in Hebrews:

"'In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." Heb 1:10-12
 
"The ground is something we expect to remain steady and stable, so when it gives way, it can cause us to ask: What really is reliable in this world of ours? The earth will rise and fall, and people will come and go, but God alone – the Rock! – remains dependable and present.
 
"Please join with me in praying for the situation in Christchurch.

"Thank God for the safety of our staff and the relatively minimal physical damage that people in Christchurch experienced (especially when compared with somewhere like Haiti).

"Pray that God would be a very real source of comfort and stability for our people in Christchurch, especially in the coming days as the tremors continue.

"Pray that as they experience God’s help and presence, they would be a shining light to their friends and acquaintances; pray too that they would be able to God’s ‘hands and feet’ to those around them who are in need of help."

Pamerston North discussion group

In Palmerston North, Simon and Juliet Cazyer have started the second semester with a discussion group on matters of faith. It is hoped that this group will ejoy the discussion and the atmosphere, and that the news will spread.

Old Navigators to the fore in national    discipleship thrust

Long-time Navigator and businessman Ken Eagle, who is now a pastor with the Assemblies of God, is spearheading a vist by the former Navigator and Massey Conference speaker Walt Henrichsen.

This is part of Ken's being invited by Lew Meyer, National Director of Open Air Campaigners, to create and set up a national discipleship programme for the ministry.

In discussions with Navigator Vice-Presdient, New Zealander Mike Shamy, there is to be information in the materials about The Navigators.

Walt Henrichsen will speak in the major cities, and Ken will run a "disciple-maker" seminar. "As a Navigator for over 40 years much of what I am including came from there," says Ken.

"One of the reasons of bringing Walt here will be to bring together those who were part of the Navigators in the days of Massey Conferences, November Men's Weekends, Community and University Ministries," Ken says. Ken was a member of The Navigators of New Zealand Board of Directors for some years.

History: Walt Henrichsen joined a team surrounding Joe Simmons when he was Pacific Areas Director. Walt became known in the New Zealand Navigators as a good, Reformed, Bible teacher. Several up-and-coming disciples consequently moved to the United States to undertake Reformed theological studies.

Town and country visits

Des and Mercian Barton recently spent three weeks in the South Island meeting Town and Country Navigator contacts. They took part in cell groups and Bible studies, and report being encouraged by what they found. Mike Shamy was guest speaker at a recent farmers' conference. 

Investing in a new generation

Each year, graduates with the heart and ability to bring the gospel to students offer themselves to work with The Navigators for a year or two.

Because they often struggle financially, The Navigator board of directors is setting up a fund to help these students.

If you believe God would have you invest in the next generation in this way, please get in touch by email.

 One to one—three models to know

Palmerstorn North staff member Simon Cayzer shares three helpful models to guide you when meeting with someone.

Three things to do: share your lives; read the Bible; pray together

Three places to listen: to your firiend; to the Spirit; to yourself

Three stories to interact: your friend's story or experience; the biblical story; your own story or experience