The Lord’s Sheep Hear the Voice of the Lord

Recent Development of the Holy Work in New Zealand

“You have increased the nation, O Lord, You have increased the nation; You are glorified; You have expanded all the borders of the land.” (Isa 26:15)

Starting from 2022, the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic has eased. After New Zealand’s entry and exit restrictions had been lifted, services and various holy work could be carried out smoothly. The focus of evangelistic work shifted towards visiting and holding classes in different churches for truth seekers and newly baptized members. Auckland Church began to hold gospel tea fellowships, and more than ten truth-seeking friends attended the first gospel tea. Various churches also promoted prayer sessions before ESSCs: During Sabbath, they would start prayer earlier, at 9:20 a.m., or pray at 1 p.m. for about 20 minutes to prepare their hearts and to pray for the church’s holy work. For this reason, grace has been granted to newly baptized members in recent times. 

During the reconstruction of the church in Christchurch, the Lord personally guided a truth seeker to His fold. This person was searching for a church that believes in the one true God and observes the Sabbath. After listening to many of the church’s online sermons, the truth seeker went to the temporary gathering location to attend service and received the Holy Spirit. At that time, Preacher Cangyi Lai was pastoring Christchurch Church. Witnessing God’s personal guidance and arrangement, all the brothers and sisters were encouraged and edified.

Since 2022, churches have resumed island-wide visits, sending workers to Tauranga, Wellington, and other areas to care for the members and to assist in the Holy Communion sacrament. Thank God, many members in the remote areas were strengthened in their faith after numerous workers’ continuous visits. May the Lord remember their labor. If the Lord is willing, more workers will be trained to care for the members living in remote areas of the North and South Islands and to assist in religious education. May the Lord send more workers and inspire more young people to join the church’s visitation and care group.

Many new immigrants have come to New Zealand this year, and the church has become their help and support in this foreign country. May the Lord guide our immigrant brothers and sisters and truth-seeking friends to participate in more church activities. 

In today’s era, the church in New Zealand is affected by worldly trends. Believers are easily confused; in their loneliness and helplessness, they lose their way. All the more, these believers need our intercession to return to the bosom of the Lord. 

Currently, New Zealand has three churches and two prayer houses. We hope that believers migrating to New Zealand can contact the church, always draw close to the true God and have fellowship with each other.