Marilyn and I are back from a great holiday in Hawaii. We had a really good time. On the day before we were to come home we received a call that Marilyn’s mum had passed away. She was 97 and it was not unexpected, but it is never easy when you lose a loved one and she was the last Great Grandparent alive. I will lead the service on Friday at Resthaven Funeral Home at 1.30pm.

On Sunday afternoon I went up to Whangarei to lead the first Introduction to Elim since the church became part of Elim Christian Centre. I then stayed over and spoke at the night service. There was a great turnout at both events. Steve and Becs have settled in really well and love the church.

This week we have our Miracle Breakthrough Offering which goes towards helping us to expand the vision God has given to us. If you haven’t got an envelope, grab one from your church office. Without your sacrificial giving what we have today would not exist. 

I've been struggling for the past ten days with a cold which doesn’t seem to be letting go. I guess there has just been a lot on this year.

The latest news is that our church in Whangarei has come under Elim Christian Centre as our fourth campus. Unfortunately the church is under a lot of pressure financially and Pastor Bruce has been off since early this year on sick leave. There is no way Bruce can come back into ministry soon so Bruce and Lil have resigned.

We are sending Steve and Rebecca up from the East to replace them, along with Adrian and Abi to help rebuild the youth. Their last Sunday in the East will be the 19th June.

I have learnt that it is really important to place the leader in the campus that has the same DNA as the main church; otherwise it just does not work as the leader keeps pulling the congregation in a different direction. Keeping the congregation as a campus means that we can share the responsibility with Steve and Becs.

It is a good church, great people and lovely facilities. Unfortunately they have just overextended themselves. Obviously it will mean a change of name; from Equip to Elim Christian Centre North, and a change in emphasis in some areas. But the people have been so welcoming to Steve and Becs. They just seem to be the right couple at this time.