I’m real excited about this year. All four congregations are reporting strong services with great attendances and many visitors. Friday night youth got underway with around 350 young people and I hear it really pumped.

I was in the East on Sunday and we had a really fun time in the 11.30am service when we celebrated Roger and Thelma Nichols’ 60th wedding anniversary. They had almost the full wedding party and a number of friends and family watch them renew their vows. Roger and Thelma have been with us since we started the church over 26 years ago; an awesome couple.

Yesterday we had a team building day at Maraetai Beach. The weather forecast was not good but we had an amazing calm sunny day. Each year brings changes to the team, and this year we farewell Selwyn and Anne Jackson from our City staff; they are taking up the pastoral leadership of our Elim Church in West Auckland. Then we welcome Bob and Margaret Lawson into our City team. Bob and Margaret have been leading our Hamilton church but have now entered a new season in their lives working more widely in our Elim churches. Bob will be on staff in the city two days a week helping Tim and overseeing our missions. He is also on our National Leadership team.