Focus on Austral/Asia: New Zealand
Oamaru, New Zealand—A new church planting and missions opportunity scheduled to launch in early 2014 is an exciting development for the Church of God in the country of New Zealand.
New Zealand, a country consisting of two distinct islands, is located southeast of Australia, almost on the International Dateline. It is known for its beautiful rolling hills of pastureland and majestic snow-capped mountains.
While the Church of God does not have a large presence in the country, a new initiative called T42 (Team 4 Two years) promises to be an exciting development for young people committed to following the leading of Christ to plant churches and evangelize the unchurched.
Church of God Regional Superintendent Marc Morris has been in the forefront of developing T42, an initiative targeted primarily for New Zealand, Japan and Australia.
“The scenic beauty of New Zealand is not the only inspiration Church of God members will find when visiting here,” Morris stated. “God has opened a very unique missions opportunity and model!” Morris went on to introduce former European Theological Seminary graduates Eugen and Esther Dupu, who have been residents of Oamaru on the south island with their two daughters since 2007. Hired by the Waitaki Youth Foundation, Eugen and Esther have effectively ministered the last six years to hundreds of young people and families, quickly expanding their pastoral care and discipleship impact.
“Often simply viewed as an enchanted land, where Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia were filmed, New Zealand actually presents a major opportunity for a mission focus and involvement,” Morris continued. “Facing spiritual stagnation and deterioration, most of the mainline Christian churches are losing impact on this younger generation. The timing is ripe to plant a fresh new ministry work.”
Esther and Eugen Dupu
“We have a great treasure in Eugen and Esther, tent-making missionaries that are poised for such a time as this to lead our Church of God efforts to reach a new generation of Kiwi’s for Christ,” says national Board Chairman Ray Bloomfield. Plans are underway to recruit and deploy a T42 short-term group by early 2014, to work with and be trained by the Dupu’s for New Zealand ministry and church planting. Self-supported volunteers, ranging in age 18 – 35, are needed for birthing a church while working with locals on dairy farms, helping on hunting/fishing exhibitions, youth counseling, etc.
“A major upside feature is having the awesome privilege to see New Zealand’s gorgeous sites and coastal creatures, such as blue penguins and seals,” Morris continued, who most recently visited with the Dupus in August to finalize details of T42. “We are excited about the Dupus involvement in this initiative. They have forged friendships and contacts with key leaders in Oamaru and they have a passion for ministry, young people and New Zealand and are ready to receive the first T42!”
Morris concluded, “We aim to reap a harvest from the seeds sown for years by the Dupus, a young, dynamic ministry couple. For such a time as this, God has raised them to lead the Church of God in New Zealand. We envision numerous young people with a heart for missions going to New Zealand to learn and participate first hand in church planting and reaching the lost in their own generation.”
For more information on the T42 initiative, visit the Facebook page T42 Church Planting Teams. Posted there are videos on T42 and historic Oamaru. Please email Marc A. Morris, Regional Superintendent at [email protected] to inquire about opportunities with T42 or New Zealand.
–Cameron Fisher, Church of God Communications
