The gospel in auckland

The Gospel in Auckland

A Modern Day Ephesus

Auckland is rapidly growing……………………………

• City of 1.5 million people• Population grown 8% since 2006• Estimated to have 1.9 million

residents by 2031• Growth is occurring via immigration,

intra-country migration and natural growth (NZ currently experiencing a baby boom)

Auckland is Incredibly Diverse………………………..

• Auckland is more diverse than London • 40% of Auckland residents made up of

differing ethnicities • 25% of NZ population born overseas

(this is considerably higher in Auckland rumoured to be ~40%)

• Most population growth coming from Asian immigrants including India (Asian population has doubled since 2001)

• Top languages spoken English, Maori, Samoan, Hindi and Chinese

• Largest Ethnic Groups – NZ European, Maori, Chinese, Samoan and Indian

Faith in Auckland……………………………………………• Auckland has highest percentage

of religious people in NZ 59.6%• This has fallen from 63% and

reflects a nationwide trend (average ~55% for NZ as a whole)• Top Faiths – Protestant

Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Sikh, & Buddhism• NZ has world’s largest per capita

population of self-reported ‘Jedi’

Auckland touches the world………………………….

• Auckland has direct, non-stop air access to Australia, the Pacific, Asia, North & South America and 1 hop service to Europe and the Middle East• Top export industries are Agriculture & Dairy,

Tourism, ICT, Financial Services, International Education, Speciality Manufacturing, Digital Media and Film & Television• Auckland one of the few cities with two separate

harbours on separate major bodies of water (the Tasman & the South Pacific)• 75% of NZ population holds a passport (by

comparison in the US this is 30%)

The world passes through Auckland………………

• Due to Migration, Tourism or short term business travel much of the World's population passes through Auckland at some point not Unlike Ephesus in the New Testament• Many young Kiwis head overseas for

work and life experience before settling down to raise a family in NZ

Auckland NEEDS the Gospel…………………………..

• NZ has highest youth suicide rate in the OECD• Depression & alcoholism are major social problems (40% of

hospitalizations alcohol related)• Many Auckland businesses hiring extra security to deal with

drunk patrons who cause mayhem and violence• NZ is a dangerous place for children under 5 many dying at

the hands of their carers – this is very high in the Maori population

• Youth unemployment is high particularly among Maori and Pacific groups (as high has 31%)

• A large portion of kiwis live in de-facto, unmarried partnerships, Gay marriage was legalized in 2013

• High percentage of children born to unwed mothers

The Work of GPCNZ & Redeemer…………………..

• 22 churches in NZ 6 of them in Auckland• Redeemer is based in Manukau, Southeast

Auckland at the junction of the city’s large Maori/Pacific Islander and Asian/Indian populations live • Large portion of Redeemer adherents receive

some form of social welfare• Top non-spiritual needs in the community

include support for unwed mothers, employment/job search skills, financial literacy, parenting & life skills, education, alcohol & drug abuse

Domestic Ministries of Redeemer………………….• Pre-school• Sunday School,• After School Program• School Holiday Club• Youth Ministry• Gideons• Men’s Ministry• Women’s Ministry

• Eggvangelism• Christmas in the Park• Ad hoc community social work• Grace Theological College

(denomination-wide)

International Missions at Redeemer………………

• Currently supporting missionaries in many countries• One of our members working as a

nurse in South Sudan (world’s most unstable country)• One of our members working as a

pastor in Pakistan – Grace for Pakistan• Close to 40% of Redeemers annual

budget supports international missions work

Top needs of Redeemer Church…………………….

1/ Prayer – we need prayer partners and warriors all over the globe to support our work

2/ People – we need people who can come help us accomplish our mission of serving as the hands and feet of Jesus in Flat Bush either on a short or long term basis

3/ Financial Resources – Redeemer does not presently have a full time pastor, we have several young men preparing for ministry but no funding for them to pursue vocational ministry

Thank You!