Thought For The Week 25 May 2025

We welcome to our service today Barbara Sampson who will be sharing the word with us. Barbara is a Spiritual Director and retired Salvation Army Officer and yesterday led a group of around 30 people for a contemplative prayer day here at St Stephens. It was an enriching time drawing near to God in quiet contemplation and I especially appreciated the way Barbara led us.

Speaking of prayer, the Timaru Christian Ministers Association are participating in a nation-wide prayer initiative for the season of Pentecost. This will begin with a special gathering next Wednesday evening, 7pm, 28 May, at St John’s Anglican church, Wai-iti Rd. This will include sung worship and prayer with various focus from ministers across our city. Then, for the 10 days following, various churches will have rooms open during the day from 7am-7pm where people can drop in and pray for our churches, communities and world. (See Pentecost prayer host roster for a church near you!). It was while the apostles and followers of Jesus were gathered in prayer that the Holy Spirit was poured out on them and they boldly proclaimed the gospel with faith and power. It is our hope that once again God will move in our land and our churches be revived.

On Thursday morning I attended a leader’s breakfast hosted by the TCMA and held at  Wilson St Baptist. Around 30 people enjoyed a delicious, cooked breakfast and an interesting talk from Ps Chris Marshall who was the pastor at Oxford Tce Baptist church in Christchurch during the earthquakes. From the destruction of their beloved historic building to the development of a whole new complex that includes social housing, his  story was inspirational and a testament to what can be achieved when vision meets opportunity.

Nga mihi nui,

Brent