Grace Le Heux, the Written Communications Lead for Arotahi, enjoys supporting Baptist churches across New Zealand as they engage in global mission.
God is renewing the world.
In your neighbourhood, across Aotearoa, and to the ends of the earth.
Renew Together is Arotahi’s annual appeal. For over 140 years, since NZBMS began, we have run an annual appeal across the Baptist churches of Aotearoa New Zealand. This appeal is an opportunity for faith communities to spend three weeks diving into missio Dei (the mission of God), and to invest in the work of our global workers, partners and communities.
As we have pulled together the materials for this year, it’s been a privilege to reflect back on the many stories, responses, and lives that have been woven through these 140(plus!) years. We think of those who have prayed, written to our global people, learnt how to say “hello” in another language, collected money, shared stories, and those who have said “yes” to going. There are no small responses to when you say “yes” to God’s call.
This year we reflect on 1 Corinthians 3:9-11. Jesus laid the foundation and invites us to be “co-workers”. As we read these stories and consider how people have woven themselves into what God is doing, their responses are like bricks. They fit together, building upon what Christ has already done, and becoming more than the sum of the individual parts. It is a life-long, intergenerational, and Spirit-led construction project.
Over the three weeks of Renew Together, we explore: building life, building home and building church. Each week there are preaching resources, videos from our global partners, prayers, a youth manual, a children’s curriculum packed with creative activities, and much more.
In week one, we delve into the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her “yes” to God shaped her whole life. She did not know where it would lead, but her faithfulness bore life and transformation for herself, for those around her, and for all people. We hear stories of people working with Joyya who have also said “yes” to God, and how that has transformed both them and their communities.
In week two, we explore building home through the story of Zacchaeus. We share more of Arotahi Build. This project will provide secure and affordable accommodation here in Aotearoa for people who need it, while contributing to the children’s hostels in Bangladesh.
In week three, through Peter’s story, we explore what it means to be a part of building church. Over many years, New Zealand Baptists have lived out this call by helping to plant churches in Tripura, India. We have walked alongside these churches for 87 years. Today, with local growth, there are 1,000 Baptist churches with over 100,000 baptised members who collectively make up over 60% of all the Christians in the state. Incredible right? This week, we hear more of the continued work of Tripura Theological College and their partnership with churches here in Aotearoa.
Throughout these weeks, we are inviting you to respond.
tHow are you saying “yes” to God?
tHow are you creating homes of welcome?
tHow are you building with care?
We are not ashamed about asking you to give: your prayers, through choosing to go, or giving financially. We invite you to build with us.
Where does your money go?
This year, when you give to Renew Together, you can choose a specific project, or give to our general fund which enables us to send funds to where they are most needed. These are:
- Mahi Pai | Our partnership with Sean Delany working with Māori in the Motueka area
- Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship pastor training | Arotahi financially supports BBCF who offers pastor training programmes, especially for rural pastors.
- Joyya | A holistic endeavour in India – working to spark good through employment, social and relational opportunities.
- General NZ Arotahi costs | Our local costs to support church in Aotearoa New Zealand in their missional endeavours.
We would love to have you join us through Renew Together. To register your church or for more details, including a promotion video, go to this webpage: arotahi.org.nz/renew-together
Image: Supplied by Arotahi
