Ministry with Preschoolers: Connecting with God

Claire explores how shifting from a programme done for children to ministry done with them has opened space for preschoolers to pray, engage Scripture, and…

National Youth Sunday: Pray for young people on May 24

Maya Bradley invites churches to champion the next generation — creating space for their voices, stories, and sense of belonging.

A vision for the next generation: M28 Discipleship Camps

Ethan speaks to his vision for the next generation of leaders and introduces a new camp for 15-18 year olds.

The Relaunch of Central Easter Camp 2026

As Central Easter Camp relaunches, you’re invited to step in, stand alongside, and pray into what’s ahead.

Pondering: A last gasp letter to Pastors

"In a world where children are deluged with endless information sources, we need to think harder about how to receive and love our children in…

Prayer Portals: helping young people to pray

Discover Prayer Portals - a simple, creative tool helping young people step into prayer with confidence. Developed by Jesse Major from South West Baptist Church,…

Taking Sanctuary Worship to the Regions

Join us on Sunday 28 September for a piece of Easter Camp at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Tauranga

From disconnect to discipleship: youth ministry finds new life

Some major challenges prompted Kumeū Baptist Church to rethink the ways it did youth ministry.

Baptist World Congress reflections: Unshakable hope

In a world filled with suffering, true hope is found in Jesus, who overcomes all brokenness and calls us to join His mission of restoration.

Meet our new Children and Families Catalyst

Jan Ozanne is appointed the new Children and Families Catalyst for the Baptist Union.

A co-creation journey across ages and ethnicities

How a church’s creative exploration and declaration of God’s Word erupted into collective worship.

Following God’s call

Nakeisha’s story of leaving the familiar to follow God’s call to pastor youth in the South Island.

A risk worth the reward!

A story of how God used a simple invitation to prayer to change a life.

Ready to follow!

It’s so inspiring when intermediates share testimonies, minister to each other and lead worship. We’re hosting an event for Year 7–9s, all about living for…

A great adventure!

The camp experience at Finlay Park and the highlight of hosting eCamp 2025.

Baptist legend receives King’s Service Medal

Merrilyn Withers is recognised for her services to youth and the Baptist movement with a King’s Service Medal.

Are you our next Children and Families Catalyst?

The Baptist Union of New Zealand seeks a Children and Families Catalyst to provide visionary leadership and strategic guidance for our He Rito initiative.

Southern Eastercamp 2025

Youth and leaders share their highlights and reflections from Southern Eastercamp.

A call to prayer

Join us at 5PM on Sunday 25 May in a nationwide moment of prayer, lifting up a generation in need of hope, healing, and Jesus.

An invitation to Journey Together

What if mentoring young people became a cornerstone of your church? Journey Together is a practical resource designed to help churches foster meaningful, intergenerational discipleship.

Join the adventure: Experience eCamp and make a difference!

Could you volunteer this Easter and wear a red hat?

Wrapping our Easter Camps in prayer

How things are shaping up for camp this year, the impact on young people, and the practical ways we can help.

Look out Baptist World Congress, Eastgate is coming!

Eastgate Christian Centre is sending some of its youngest, keenest and most perceptive leaders to a global gathering, hoping the investment will pay off in…

Growing Young: Revitalising the church from the grassroots

The annual update from Youth Catalyst Ethan Miller for 2024.

Could your community project be eligible for Tindall Foundation funding?

Local Baptist churches are successfully applying to the Tindall Foundation Fund to run projects and courses that benefit their communities.

Youth ministry: Would your church pass the marshmallow test?

Youth ministry can be a frustratingly expensive long-term investment – but a necessary one if New Zealand’s Baptist movement is to survive.

Being people of justice and peace

A space for Young Adults to connect and listen to God's voice on matters of justice found in scripture.

Gospel Impact Lab: Empowering young people

At our upcoming National Hui, delegates can create a tool our local Baptist churches can use to equip young people to be disciples of and…

Baptist Student Network: Connecting, supporting Christian students

The Baptist Student Network helps connect our young people into Baptist churches in other cities and offers accommodation and support.

Deeper into the heart of God

Women share their transformational experiences seeking God together at retreats hosted at Baptist Churches across New Zealand.

From comfort to compassion: Lessons from our trip to Cebu

Emma and Hannah’s formational experience meeting the person they sponsor and witnessing the hope in their community.

Children in church life

How is our faith community shaping children’s experiences and being shaped by children’s participation?

Children in relationship with God

Passing on relational connection as well as knowledge to the next generation.

Fanning the flames of youth ministry

Baptist youth leaders reflect on how showing God’s love and grace is working out in the lives of young people.

Inspiring the next missional generation

Our missionary society, Arotahi, has launched its new children’s programme, Whiria Kids! Find church and home resources that help inspire our tamariki for God’s mission.

Parents at the centre of faith formation

Equipping families to disciple their children outside of church children’s programs.

Faith formation in children

The ideas influencing the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of children’s faith.

This is gospel renewal: Brunch Church

New column! Faith communities encouraging New Zealand Baptists with the good news of gospel renewal. Here's what gospel renewal looked like in Riccarton on Sunday.

Mission trip to Easter Camp

How a suburban church served one of the most significant events on the New Zealand Baptist calendar.

Upper South’s new Children & Family Ministry Coach

Get to know Steph Wood, the new Children & Family Ministry Coach for the Upper South Baptist Association.

New managers at Baptist Student Hostel, Palmerston North

Tony and Janine are excited to meet and offer genuine Christian care and support to the awesome students living away from home...

Introducing Jesus through arts and science

An intergenerational style of church that explores faith through hands-on activities...

Creating a thriving culture of all-age discipleship

Interview with Tammy Preston, who will present a webinar series on her research into intergenerational communities and developing preaching for all ages.

Help keep our children safe

Baptist churches need to be safe communities for all of us. That’s why we’re providing free Child Protection Policy training for anyone who works with…

Reflections of a Children and Families Pastor

Looking back on 24 years of ministry, Glenis shares what she's learned.

Baptist kids enriching worship in Aotearoa

Kids’ Band from South West Baptist Church (Ōtautahi) release 4 singles.

Empowering children during divorce and separation

“If we want to prepare them for their future, we need to help them adequately process their present reality”.

He Rito: The future of the church (pre-Hui read: Our young people)

“One of the greatest roles of God’s people is passing the torch of faith from one generation to the next.”

Student accommodation: Chester House – Christchurch Central

If you or someone you know is moving to Christchurch to study, Chester House provides a great place for students to call home.

From Ropeholders to Whiria Kids

A proposal for the relaunch of Ropeholders, a programme weaving children into God's work in the world.

Student accommodation: Baptist Student Hostel – Palmerston North

If you or someone you know is moving to Palmerston North to study, BSH (Baptist Student Hostel) offers a great Christian environment for students.

Intergenerate

Not long until Intergenerate! Read some of the intergenerational discipling vision behind this event and how you can be a part of it.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award celebrates 60 years in New Zealand

Hear David’s story of persistence and achievement, Christian community support, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award – all alongside living with dyspraxia.

Stuck for Matariki celebration ideas?

More ideas from Ōtūmoetai Baptist Church on how to celebrate Matariki in an intergenerational way.

WAY2GO – A children’s ministry training event coming near you!

Connect and discuss the key foundations of our ministry with children and their families.

Easter Camps: on now!

Our four Easter Camps around the country are in full swing. Please pray for all the young people present...

CREW NEEDED: Volunteer at Easter Camps

Can you help? Easter Camps are an incredibly important part of what New Zealand Baptists do. They are camps, at Easter, for young people, and…

Youth Catalyst

It is exciting to announce that Ethan Miller has been appointed to the role of Youth Catalyst for the Baptist Churches of New Zealand, commencing…

Spectacular Youth: Youth Catalyst

This is a news update coming from a message sent on 29 November 2022 to Baptist Youth Pastors and Leaders – we’re keen to share…

Alpha on Sunday mornings?!

Read about how Riccarton Baptist Church replaced their Sunday morning church services with breakfast and the Alpha course.

“COVID? Who cares about COVID. Look what is happening to our precious son!”

Kathryn Heslop shares how illness has impacted her son and how the church can genuinely love and care for family members struggling with their health.

5 things parents want you to know in order to help their neurodiverse kids

Jenny Lee, a professional educator who serves in several community roles, including Rotorua Baptist’s Kids Church, shares advice on how the church can support neurodiverse…

Rachel and Tiaki talk Matariki: God, family, injustice and tradition

Listen in on two people, Tiaki and Rachel, tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti, chatting about the coming season of Matariki, including the prophet Amos who…

Matariki Celebration at Ōtūmoetai Baptist Church

Jan Ozanne is Family Pastor at Ōtūmoetai Baptist Church. In this article read about how they celebrated Matariki in 2021 – it might give you…

A journey toward all-age discipleship

Jonathan Melville in conversation with Raewyn Moodie about how Ohoka Congregation Rangiora is on a journey toward all-age discipleship.

Getting COVID creative

Many churches hold Light Parties or other Halloween alternative events on or around the 31st October. In Auckland, with memories of a second lockdown still…

There’s a happy moon in my side

There’s A Happy Moon in my Side helps children unpack their feelings and learn positive ways to deal with the emotions they experience.

School life

We love sharing the different ways God is transforming the communities we are a part of. Here we feature two reports.

Easter Camps: from lockdown to long-term faith

Hear how our incredible collaboration and creativity made Easter Camp happen and impact lives during lockdown...

A cord of three strands

Small churches’ reach and impact can be multiplied exponentially when they work in partnership with others. ‘The Village’ at Carterton Baptist Church is an example…

Faith formation in the home

How can we raise children and teens to become lifelong followers of Jesus? Family Pastor Jan Ozanne and Senior Pastor Andrew Brown say the process is easier,…

Waihi intergenerational home group

In February 2019 Waihi Baptist Church began an intergenerational whānau home group on a Sunday evening. It started with 14 people but now 40-50 people…

Easter Camps

A party for children with disabilities

The Kids’ Box

Earlier this year we were discussing the fact that we currently didn’t have many young families at the church and that our children weren’t visible…

‘New’ leaders in the New Zealand Baptist movement

Among the New Zealand Baptist movement’s new leaders with national roles are Josie Te Kahu (President), John Tucker (Principal, Carey Baptist College) and Brian Krum…