Unwavering Dedication

Since arriving in Tauranga, I have had the privilege of meeting with a dedicated group of church and community leaders every Thursday morning to pray for the welfare of our city. This group, which has gathered for over 20 years, is committed to interceding for the wellbeing of our community and seeking wisdom for our city leaders. Their faithfulness and resilience inspire me, and I give thanks to God for their unwavering dedication.

This past Monday (14/10), I had the honour of leading a special service on behalf of the Pasifika community as they welcomed Professor Tafaoimalo Tologata Leilani Tuala-Warren, the new Dean of Law at Waikato University. As a former Supreme Judge of Samoa, her appointment is a remarkable achievement, and the Pasifika community gathered to express their love and gratitude for her leadership.

St Peters, being situated in the heart of Tauranga, close to the University, the Court, Police, and Business Centre, we are excited about the connections we are forming. Several attendees approached me afterwards, inquiring about our service times and expressing interest in joining us. Praise God for these new opportunities!

As we continue to pray for God’s protection over our city and its people, let us remember that He desires to use His church to overflow blessings to our neighbours in Tauranga.

The story of Jonah reminds us of our calling to reach out and proclaim hope. In Jonah 1, we see God instructing Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh and share His message. Despite Jonah’s initial reluctance, he ultimately obeyed and saw the incredible transformation that followed. The Ninevites believed God, and their hearts turned from wickedness.

As we reflect on this, may we be bold in sharing God’s love and truth in our city. Like Jonah, let us answer the call to proclaim the good news, trusting in the transformative power of God’s message.

May God bless you all abundantly as we continue this journey together.

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai:  “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me, Jonah 1.”

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time:  “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it.  Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”  The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened, Jonah 3”