A Celebration of Unity and God’s Love

Last Saturday, Felicity and I had the privilege of opening the Kiwifruit RSE Workers’ Sports Festival with a word of prayer and encouragement at Blake Park in Mt Maunganui. What a joyful and inspiring day it was!

Between 700 and 1000 people gathered, workers and families from the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Korea, Fiji, the Philippines, and our Māori communities. They came together not just for friendly competition, but for a day of fun, laughter, and shared fellowship. It was a vibrant celebration of cultures and community.

But what struck us most was that it wasn’t just a sports event; it was a beautiful reflection of unity in diversity. Different languages, different backgrounds, different stories, all coming together in peace and joy. It reminded us of God’s heart for all people and His delight in our togetherness.

The Scriptures speak to this beautifully:

“From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood.” (Genesis 10:32)
“From one man He made all the nations… and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” (Acts 17:26)

Each person and every nation are part of God’s intentional, creative design. The festival was a living testimony of this truth with God’s love crossing cultural lines and drawing people together.

As Psalm 133:1 says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.” And James 4:8 calls us to, “Come near to God, and He will come near to you.”

Felicity and I are so thankful to belong to a church family that is growing in diversity, celebrating unity, and showing God’s love in action. May this continue to be our testimony, a welcoming place for all where Christ’s love is visible in both word and deed.

As you pray this week, please remember to lift up our RSE workers, many of whom are far from home, working to provide for their families. Please also pray for the Kiwifruit industry, which supports the livelihoods of many in our region and beyond.