New Zealand Christians pray church ‘can shine in this dark time’

As the world launches efforts to aid victims of a devastating earthquake in New Zealand, Christians wait for word from Church of Christ members there.
The 6.3-magnitude quake struck Feb. 21 near the city of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. At least 65 people died, according to news reports.
“We have some Christians down there but cannot make contact so we will wait and see,” Chris Miller told The Christian Chronicle. Miller is minister for the Otumoetai Church of Christ in Tauranga, New Zealand, on the North Island.
The quake “is going to have a big effect on our nation,” Miller said, “and we pray that Christ will be brought back to Christchurch and through this people will discover God once again. Pray that we as a church can shine in this dark time for our nation.”
I remember looking at a map of New Zealand years ago and thinking, “If there’s a Christchurch Church of Christ then they have one of the most amusing names in our fellowship.”
In 2005 we reported that a team of church members from Toowoomba, Australia, planed to move to Christchurch and plant a new congregation (presumably named the Christchurch Church of Christ). Unfortunately, I never got an update on that work.
In 2008 we reported on Nan Raine, a Church of Christ member who was baptized in Christchurch in 1969. At age 78, she became the oldest graduate of South Pacific Bible College in Tauranga, New Zealand. Her son, Steve Raine, is principal of the college.
We will post information as we get it. Please leave a comment if you have an update.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp_BrbYRsNA

• Feedback
  I just heard from Mary Nelson in Tauranga, New Zealand, who says the church-planting team in Christchurch is no longer there. A few church members meet in homes, but there is no established Church of Christ in Christchurch, she said.
  Here are a few excerpts from her message:
  “Last night I was here in Tauranga watching news and checking Facebook when a graduate of South Pacific Bible College, Sharon, messaged me from Uganda asking me to call her mother in Auckland to see if her brother, a police officer in Christchurch, was OK. Sharon couldn’t get an international line out of Uganda to New Zealand.
  “Here I was talking on the phone to a woman I did not know and using my keyboard to type live Facebook messages from her to her daughter in Uganda.
  “She said her son was on full rescue duty and her son’s friend had to jump from her own office building to another to get out of the rubble in the main business district. Sharon answered that she felt her brother must have been on duty and she thought she had seen him on TV. What an interchange of information!”

  Erik Tryggestad

  February, 22 2011

  Just wanted to let your readers know that today (Tuesday 1 March 2011) marks one week after the earthquake. The Prime Minister has asked the nation for 2 minutes of silence at 12.51pm which was the moment the earthquake hit Christchurch.
  The death toll was raised to 154 this morning with 50 people still unaccounted for.

  Mary Nelson

  February, 28 2011

  Erik:
  Lorraine and Lyndsay Jacobs, former Secretaries of the World Convention, live in them there parts. Friend Lorraine on Facebook and you’ll see posts about Christchurch where LyLo’s daughter Phillippa Jacobs resides. Go MEGA – www.megaadvertising.co.nz !

  Ed Dodds

  February, 28 2011

  we pray for the people who were affectered at New zealand may the blessed Lord comfort them on this time sorrow. we also pray for those missing may the Lord guide those who are looking and find them.

  william Tengani @ P.E

  March, 1 2011

  Past missionary to Christchurch New Zealand.
  The ground continues to shake in Chrictchurch. Google Christchurch quake map and see.
  There is solid ground in Christchurch,the church of Christ, Christ’s people. The church may be small in number but God has the power to save and do amazing things.
  There are Christians in Christchurch that need our prayers. In a city that shakes every day Christians there need strength to have faith and trust in God. To be seen as God’s solid ground to those around them. It is hard to be seen as Christ like when you have suffered great losses yourself and things around you are unsure. Pray that the Christians there can have the strength to be a light in what is being called “New Zealands darkest hour”.
  It is wonderful to know and have faith, that we are a part of a Kingdom that can not be shaken. “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe”Heb 12:28
  The things of this world are passing away and growing old.
  We all have struggles where we need to look beyond what we can see to the hope unseen. “Now faith is the assurance of the things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval” Heb 11:1&2

  Janene

  March, 1 2011

  There is actually a Christchurch Church of Christ in New Zealand. Their website is http://www.ourchurch.com/member/c/christchurchcoc/. I have tried to contact them also they are on Facebook.

  Dennis Billingsley

  March, 5 2011

  Thanks, Dennis. I looked up the website and was able to call Sandy from here in New Zealand. It was great to hear that there are 4 families meeting together.
  They met today (6 March) for the first time since the quake. Sandy said that some members had their house badly damaged but there was no loss of life.

  Mary Nelson

  March, 6 2011