From Ben’s Desk

We all know the wonderful promises scattered both in the O.T and N.T. of how God has promised to answer our prayers. In Jeremiah 33: 3 “Call to me and I will answer you.” Philippians 4: 6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your…

Last Sunday, 30th July, I preached on the subject of prayer. It is true to say that we all struggle with this part of our Christian lives. There is none of us who can say we pray enough or we pray in the right way or that we always feel like praying. None of us…

In my bible reading and devotional times I have been working my way through the short Old Testament prophesy of Hosea. It is one of those shorter books of the O.T. where God uses the prophet to give Israel a last warning to turn back to Him, lest He judge them severely for their two-timing…

In a recent church leaders’ meeting we had a discussion on the important of Bible reading and the need to increase the Bible knowledge of the people at our church. In a recent National survey by the Bible Society, it has emerged that 30% of New Zealanders over the age of 13 years, claim to…

This week we were thrilled to see Auckland central city grind to a halt as 1000s of people jammed Queens Street and the Viaduct to welcome home the America’s Cup, after a 14-year absence. Emirates Team New Zealand achieved an amazing feat by winning the 2017 event. This must go down in history as one…

This week we were thrilled to see Auckland central city grind to a halt as 1000s of people jammed Queens Street and the Viaduct to welcome home the America’s Cup, after a 14-year absence. Emirates Team New Zealand achieved an amazing feat by winning the 2017 event. This must go down in history as one…

What an interesting and fulfilling mission trip it was to China this year. We had the privilege of meeting 2 different groups in the city of Louyang, where Rev Steve Millward and I taught. We taught at a small secretive Bible college for the first week. The students were wonderfully attentive and participated enthusiastically. They…

As I am away in China, teaching church leaders and pastors God’s word, I am once again encouraged to see the simple faith and hunger for God’s word of these people. Many of them come to these Bible retreats having travelled vast distances travelling on dangerous, rough roads in less than comfortable transport. They sit…

It is with great sadness that we have come to hear that a young man, Tevita, has gone missing in the Waitemata harbour (update: his body has been recovered). Tevita, along with Gavin, and a number of friends, were on a charter boat celebrating a birthday party, as they sailed around the harbour last Saturday…

This past week has been quite a challenge as I, like so many others, have been hit with my first cold of the winter. On Thursday, I felt drained of energy and so congested. A congregation member who is overseas, unaware of my weak state, was prompted to send me an encouraging devotion headed, “You…