Go NZ!

Paku Hill - Coramandel
Auckland Area Rally
Ignite Cabin 2A

Kia ora from NZ!

It's been way too long since I updated this and for that i'm sorry.

I would love to tell you about a couple awesome things i've been apart of these past couple weeks.

Ignite Camp.

I had the incredible privilege of being a head cabin leader at Ignite Camp. ECW had a group of about 30 students that attended. With about 200 students in total attendance. The weekend was full of team games, concert from the band Willet (from Maryland!) and speaking and worship times. The last night, I had the chance of leading 2 of the kids in my cabin to a new life with Christ. It was great. I thank God that He used me.

Auckland Area Rally.

About a week ago, around 180 students and leaders from the Nazarene & Wesleyan churches of Auckland to gather in worship and a special concert put on by Willet. http://www.willetonline.com/

I was in charge of all promotion and marketing for the event so I was excited when we had such a great turnout. It was a great time of hanging out and worshiping Christ together.

Those are just a few of the things that i've had the chance to be in a lead role in. God has been teaching me a lot about faithfulness. I've also been reading through the Gospels every week. I'm learning a lot about my beautiful Creator.

"Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others." - St. Augustine

thank you for all the support and prayer

-john

Christmas & Surfing

Well friends.

MUCH has happened since I last posted on here.

The past 2 weeks have been full of drama practices, youth nights, christmas events and drum lessons.

Drew/Amy Donovan (assistant pastor/youth pastor) left on holiday for 2 weeks. Basically allowing me to take the reigns of the youth program. One thing in particular, organizing, rehearsing, casting and everything else for a Christmas drama for the SURGE drama team to perform at Christmas in Burswood (annual community outreach event) and Night in Bethlehem (this Sun night, Christmas experience). I have never taught a a drama much less been involved in one of importance! This is probably one of the more stressful, stretching experiences I've had since I've been here. I am learning to be faithful with every task that has been given to me and honour God in that. All in all, the drama team did a great job at CIB and everyone laughed and commended the students.

Another thing I got to do these past 2 weeks, I was in charge of leading SURGE (Fri night program) for both weeks. Programming and worship. It was a great experience and built my leadership skills. Great times. Oh and teach some drum lessons. Talk about a "stretching experience"!

These past 2 weeks have probably been some of the busiest I've had since I've been here. God has been incredibly good. I'm really learning to be faithful to Him with the little things.

Yesterday, me, Brent Dongell and some other friends got to go to Marewai beach. I learned how to surf and gargle salt water at the same time! It was a great end to a busy 2 weeks.

Thank you for all the support and prayers! I will keep you posted as best as I can during this busy Christmas seasons!

keep praying.

-john

Psalm 30:11-12

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.

Lord my God, I will praise you forever. Ps. 30:11-12

That verse is so good!

Ministry is continuing here. I'm really being used in some different ways than before.

SURGE is continuing to grow and I am planning a worship "workshop" of sorts to teach students how to praise God with their instruments and voices. Sometime next week that should be going on and i'll let you know how it goes. I have also been working with the worship leaders at SURGE and developing them and working on leadership within the bands. The kids here are awesome. Very dedicated. I led worship on Fri. night for SURGE and after the message we had about 30 mins. of spontaneous prayer and worship. It was incredible, a very growing experience for the youth group.

I am also working with Viona Schulz (childrens pastor at ECW) in creating a worship band for the children's ministry from the teens at SURGE. We are working through some cutting edge children's music. It's great. Something I've never done before.

Christmas is around the corner and I will play a large role in Christmas in Burswood (christmas community event) by working with the SURGE drama team and directing a Christmas drama which we will also perform at the annual Night In Bethlehem experience here at ECW. Never directed a drama before but it is fun! I have also been practicing and playing on Sun mornings with the existing worship band. I'll be playing drums for both Christmas in Burswood and Night in Bethlehem.

Tonight, I am going to Brett and Kristin Jones' house for some American thanksgiving! I'm excited.

Thank you for continued support and prayer.

keep praying.

-john

What am I doing?

Hello friends!

I'm getting settled in here. Finally hitting some sort of a routine. It's good. I've been doing a lot these past 3 weeks. And by the way, the photo on the left is the view from my room. Pretty cool huh?

The first Sunday I was here I played a song for Communion and I am going to be actively involved in the Sun. morning worship in some way. Drumming, singing and leading some. Also, last Fri night, I led worship for SURGE (the youth program). It was a lot of fun. Sun. night, we had our 2nd preview service for our contemporary service. (one of the primary reasons im here). It was awesome. The theme was silence and being still before Christ. Very powerful.

Also, this past Friday, SURGE attended an area youth rally at Mangere Nazarene Church. It was a great time of connecting with local youth leaders and pastors. I'm excited about working with network of pastors here in Auckland.

I will update again on my home life and things going on for fun but just wanted to give an insight into my ministry thus far. Tonight, I'm leading worship for the youth Surge 4 Word (bible study and youth meeting) and meeting with the team leaders to plan some events. Thank you all for the support.

keep praying.

-john

Here

I am safely in NZ.

Arrived here on Thurs. morning

I got to relax and rest on Thurs and Dad arrived later that afternoon.

Friday morning, the District Conference for Wesleyan Church of NZ began. I went with Jane (my NZ mom) and my Dad to the first sessions. And basically my weekend thus far has been filled with conference sessions and seminars. It's been good. Last night, I got to go to my first Surge night (youth group). First night I was here was a costume party so I stole Simon's (Jane/Richard's son) school uniform. I was later introduced as the intern after fooling all the student's. Good times. But tonight, we are all headed to the evening session of conference. And tomorrow morning, Dad is speaking at ECW and I believe I am playing a song during communion. I feel really scatterbrained so I apologize if this post made little sense!

keep praying.

-john

Auckland

I am finishing packing and leaving for NZ in a couple hours.

Thank you for all the prayers and support you have given. Keep praying.

I will try and update once I arrive in NZ but until then...thanks again!

-john

Backward/Forward

It has been a week since I arrived home from Africa.

That trip changed many small things in me.

I learned to:

read the Bible in my spare time

pray often

God has Plan A

Valuable lessons that I hope to keep close to my heart.

Now, 6 days until I leave for my 8 mo. adventure to New Zealand.

I'm starting to get really excited.

Thank you for all the support and prayer that you have given!

keep praying.

-john