Knocking down the fire

Recently the fires that roared through the port hills near Christchurch, showed the devastation of forest fires in a large scale over a short time. Lots of resources were thrown at the fires to halt them in their tracks. The fire had to be knocked down with an army of helicopters with large buckets.

Fighting large forest fires is a complicated and expensive process but with strategy and the correct equipment fires are contained and put out. The initial part of attacking a forest fire, usually involves the use of helicopters with buckets as it is too dangerous for fire fighters to attack the fire on the ground.

The picture of helicopters dumping water to put fires out helps illustrate how Jesus deals with sin (bad things) in our lives. Helicopters are vital to put out large fires. Jesus dying on the cross was vital for dealing with the sin in our lives. “If we tell Him our sins, He is faithful and we can depend on Him to forgive us of our sins. He will make our lives clean from all sin” (1 John 1:9).

Fighting forest fires with helicopters and buckets is very expensive but highly effective. In dealing with the sin of the world, Jesus paid a high price for our sins. The strategy of forgiveness that He brought is highly effective for us as individuals and extends to the whole world. “He paid for our sins with His own blood. He did not pay for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

So are you trying to fight the fires in your life as a ground based fire fighter? Are you willing to allow an effective aerial attack on the sin in your life? Speaking these verses into our lives begins to put this effective strategy into our lives.

Don McLean
Assembly of God

Assembly of God

The true meaning of Easter

Easter is upon us, a time of chocolate overload, excited children hunting for eggs and shoppers bargain-hunting  at the sales.  But is this really what Easter is about? 

Essentially Easter is when Christians remember that Jesus, the Son of God, died on the cross, and came alive again three days later so that we can be forgiven for our sins and restored to friendship with God.  The bible says “For God so loved the world that He gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.  

This astonishing Christian belief is a claim that everyone needs to consider and decide if they believe it.   As a Christian I believe it to be true based on faith and my own experiences of God’s work in my life, but also on facts.  So I would like to share with you some of the evidence supporting Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God and the truth of the Resurrection.

For starters the events we now call Easter are recorded in the Bible, which is a collection of texts written by over 39 authors over a period of 1,500 years, and in other historical works.  More than a history book, the Bible reveals the God who created us, loves us and who gave us the choice to know and love Him.  God didn’t want robots or slaves – He wanted friends and family.   The Bible explains that God, being holy, cannot be in the presence of sin – all those things we do wrong – and therefore sin needs to be paid for.   “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ” Romans 6:23.   Initially people sacrificed animals for their sins, while priests prayed on their behalf, but God promised to send a Messiah, a saviour, to reconcile us with Him.

The Bible contains over 300 prophecies predicting the Messiah, prophecies which state that He would be the Son of God, and which contain details of his birth, ministry and death.  According to Peter Stoner in “Science Speaks” for one person to fulfil just eight of the major prophecies would be 1 chance in 100,000,000,000,000,000, and yet Jesus fulfilled all of them.  This fact alone is convincing evidence that Jesus was who He claimed to be.   The bible, backed up by other historical documents, also records numerous miracles including Jesus walking on water, raising the dead, and healing people which show him to have the power of God.    So why did He die?

Jesus’ death was orchestrated by the religious leaders who were angered by his controversial teachings and by his claims that He was the Son of God.   Based on the evidence of his power He could easily have escaped from the cross.    But He didn’t save himself because He wanted to save us.   So whipped and beaten, Jesus died a slow agonising death with nails driven through his hands and feet into a wooden cross.   Jesus died “so that … He might free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death”  Hebrews 2:15.

Jesus’ body was then placed in a cave which was sealed with a huge stone and guarded by Roman soldiers to ensure that his body was not stolen.  And yet three days later the body was gone!   Jesus then appeared alive to over 500 followers over a period of 40 days before ascending to heaven.   The behaviour of these followers is one of the most convincing arguments for the resurrection.   For Jesus’ followers, his death was a tragedy and disappointment.  They had believed him to be the Messiah and yet He had died.  The Bible records that the disciples hid in fear following his death and yet in the following years they boldly told the world of his teachings, death and resurrection, often suffering torture and death for doing so.  Only the resurrection of Jesus could have sparked such determination and courage within people who had previously run in fear.

So based on this evidence we can believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that the resurrection did happen.  And we can therefore believe that Jesus is the fulfilment of promises that out of love God would send His Son, and that in spite of his power to save himself He would die, then rise again.   “For God so loved the world that He gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.  Consider the evidence, investigate for yourself, seek the truth.  God promises that when we seek him He will be found (Matthew 7:7).

Believing that through great sacrifice Jesus has given us full access to a loving God has the power to change our lives.  

This is what Easter is really about.

Larisa Hockey  - Mangapapa Church

For more information please see http://hopeproject.co.nz/

Published in the Gisborne Herald 26 March, Easter 2016

Power made perfect in weakness

In the past few months, I have been challenged about what is involved in leadership. I believe that the events at Easter more than 2000 years ago, speak of leadership, and provide an important foundation for us. I believed leadership to be largely defined by strength, power and influence. I have since learnt that true leadership is also defined by pain and weakness.

Recently a situation came up in my life, where I was leading a group of people. I felt like a failure and completely out of my depth. I prayed and asked for God’s help at the time but it didn’t change how I felt in the situation. It was only afterwards that I could appreciate how God is with us in our weakness.

The following verse helps us understand how God is with us in our times of human weakness. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). This verse emphasises how God works most powerfully in our human weakness. Our weakness causes us to rely on God more.

The gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) in the Bible describe many examples of Jesus operating as a highly influential leader when he lived on this earth. The gospels also describe him performing miracles and operating as a strong leader of groups, such as his disciples.

The most powerful impact of Jesus as a leader, occurred at his time of apparent human weakness, nailed to the cross. This was when Jesus died to take away the past, present and future sins (bad things) of the world and exchanged these for forgiveness. Do you realise that you too can accept this generous gift of forgiveness, for the sins in your life?

Published in the Gisborne Herald, 26 March, Easter 2016

Don McLean
Assembly of God

Super Humans?

Altering human genes to create a “super” human seems like the plot of a science fiction movie.  But scientists have taken a step closer to being able to do just that as Britain approves experiments to edit the genes in human embryos.

While supporters of this research say that it could lead to cures for diseases such as HIV and inherited disorders “critics warn that tweaking the genetic code this way could be a slippery slope that eventually leads to designer babies”  as quoted in the Gisborne Herald 2 February. 

It is easy to see how this technology, developed with good intentions, could be abused.  In Nazi Germany scientists experimented on babies in the womb as part of the plan to create the Aryan super race.   What could radical groups today do with such technology?

The research itself also results in a tragic loss of life.  Embryos in this particular experiment will be allowed to develop to around 250 cells before they are destroyed.  Each of those embryos could have been a baby and God tells us that all life is precious.   God said to Jeremiah (1v5) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” and the message is the same to us.  God assures us that he knows and loves us throughout the bible.  While I am sure he is intrigued with our continued unravelling of the scientific wonders that He created, I am also sure that He did not intend for them to be used in this way, killing unborn children, and opening up a door to experimentation and abuse. 

We need to treat scientific knowledge with care, and thank God for the gift of life for as the Psalmist says “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” 

 Larisa Hockey – Mangapapa Church

Larisa has been a Christian since Youth Group days in Kaukapakapa North Auckland.   She believes in finding the truth in God's word for all situations.

Published in the Gisborne Herald 20 February 2016.

NZ’s future – One of peace or one of unrest?

Kia Ora,


I wonder how you spent Waitangi Day. Did you allow time to remember why we have this holiday or to consider New Zealand’s future and the role you play in it? Or was it simply a nice day off, a time to socialise or get a few jobs done around the house?

It is important to remember our history, so we can learn from it. We do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past and we want to repeat the things that went well. In my opinion, the Treaty was a fantastic attempt at developing principles for the Māori and English people to live together in peace. Yes, there were problems with subtleties of word meanings, but what a great effort!


We are advised to live together in harmony, respecting each other and living peacefully with each other. “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14) As Christians we must be the peacemakers in our society, as through this action people will see the Lord.


Perhaps today is the day you will choose to begin a personal relationship with God. Jesus said “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you” (John 12:24). Do you want to make peace with God and receive the gift of peace He offers you? It is the way we as individuals choose to live in relationship with God and others that affects the level of peace in our own life, our families, our workplaces and the wider community.


The choice is ours: Do you want a future filled with peace or a future filled with unrest?


Nicola Hawkins
Mangapapa Church

Published 6 February 2016

Making a real difference

Lose weight, exercise more, spend less, make a difference in the world…  The typical New Year’s resolutions list for most of us.  But to make a real difference to your health, happiness and contribution to society, try adding “Forgive others”,  for not only does unforgiveness damage  relationships between individuals and inevitably wider family or social groups, science shows that it can also damage our health. 

“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies” said Nelson Mandela in The Long Walk to Freedom.   Scientists are finding this to be true as studies show damaging levels of cortisol are released when individuals think about people they have not forgiven.  

God, the designer of our incredible bodies, warns us that our thoughts affect our health, for example in Proverbs 17:22 it says “a joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”  God also tells us to forgive because it is necessary for restoration of relationships between people, and between God and ourselves.  Jesus said “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” Matthew 6:14.      We are all sinners!  We all make mistakes and hurt people.   “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”  C.S Lewis.

Forgiveness means to let go of the hurt and bitterness, and keep doing so when those feelings return.  True forgiveness is not just an internal feeling but a decision to actively work to restore relationships.  Jesus said to love our enemies and when our “enemies” are within our families and community groups the benefits of doing so are far reaching.

So in 2016 resolve to forgive - for health, happiness, and an improved society.  “Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.” 2 Corinthians 13:11. 

Larisa Hockey – Mangapapa Church

Published in the Gisborne Herald on Saturday 9 January.

Larisa,  is fascinated by the links between our spiritual state, our mind and our health and is particularly interested in the work of Dr Carolyn Leaf in helping us rewire our brains to overcome toxic thoughts.  

Never again

At 29-years of age, Abby Johnson, the director of an abortion clinic in Texas was a committed proponent of abortion. And she'd personally had two abortions. But one morning she was unexpectedly asked to assist with an ultrasound-guided abortion - a procedure which in her own words "would shake the foundation of my values and change the course of my life." 

What she saw was "the entire, perfect profile of a 13-week baby." In her book, Unplanned, she writes, "The detail startled me. I could clearly see the profile of the head, both arms, legs, and even tiny fingers and toes. Perfect. Then a new image entered the video screen. The next movement was the sudden jerk of a tiny foot as the baby started kicking, as if it were trying to move away from the "probing invader" ... the baby began struggling to turn and twist away ...  then it crumpled ... and then it was gone." In that instant Abby knew, "It wasn't just tissue, just cells. It was a human baby, and it was fighting for its life. What I have believed, taught and defended, is a lie!  And then this thought came from deep within me: Never again! Never again!" 

At that moment Abby had a spiritual conversion. She immediately left the abortion industry and became an advocate for LIFE. In the words of columnist, Saul Elbein, "This is essentially the narrative of every Christian convert, from St Paul to St Augustine. A life of sin, a moment of truth, and suddenly everything changes." And in what is being described as an expression of redemption, the abortion facility where Abby Johnson once worked is now a pro-life pregnancy centre. Tracy Frank, executive director of the centre says, "What was once a place of death and grief where an estimated 6,400 abortions were performed, has been transformed into a place of life."  

Julia Martin 

 Wife, grandmother, and daughter of God, Julia believes we are all precious in God's eyes, known and loved from the very moment of conception.

Walking and Talking

The processes of learning to walk and learning to talk are key parts of a child’s development. Our youngest child has a good grasp of walking and is now beginning to form words beyond the basics of ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’. This process amazes and inspires me. I liken it to the journey I have been on with God. The journey has involved learning to walk and talk with Him.

Children learn to walk by holding an adult’s hand. This involves the child trusting that the adult will guide their steps and hold them if they trip. The Bible puts a big emphasis on the importance that God places on children. In Matthew 19:14, God’s son Jesus says to his disciples,"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these".

The Bible also teaches us to be like children in our journey with God, to trust in Him. God knows us well and reminds us to have the simple trust of a child. Matthew 18:3 “And he (Jesus) said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”. Little children are trusting and unpretentious.
Learning to walk and talk (pray) to God involves being trusting, open, honest and frank as a child would be. There are a number of tools to help guide our steps and pray with God. They include reading the Bible, meeting with groups of people who believe in God, listening to Christian music etc. I am constantly challenged about relating to God in a wholly trusting and unpretentious way, just as my own child has complete trust in me.


Don McLean
Assembly of God

"Everything changes"

Dr Anthony Levatino has practiced obstetrics and gynaecology since 1980. As part of his medical training, Dr Levatino was taught to do abortions, including late-term abortions. Levatino estimates he carried out up to 1200 abortions. While he was performing abortions, Anthony and his wife were experiencing difficulty conceiving a child. They decided to adopt and within a few months they adopted a baby girl they named Heather. About the same time they conceived a son, and their family was complete. In Anthony's words, "We were perfectly happy". 

Life was good until 23 June 1984. At 7.25pm they heard a screech of brakes. They ran outside and found Heather lying on the road. She'd been hit by a car! They did everything they could for her, but she died in their arms. Dr Levatino says, "When you lose a child, your child, life is very different. Everything changes. It's not an embryology course any more. It's your child you buried." He continues, "I couldn't think about abortion any more ... I started to realise - this is somebody's child. I lost my precious child, and now I'm taking somebody's child, and I'm tearing him right out of their womb ... I began to feel like a paid assassin. And so I quit." 

He says he knows God was working in his life long before he changed to the pro-life position. A Christian lady told him, "Jesus loves you, and this is not what He intended for you." She was always kind and respectful, and eventually the message got through. Dr Levatino became a defender of LIFE. He says to pray for those who work in the abortion industry. Patience in prayer is necessary because conversions take time. And reach out to them in genuine friendship. Tell them, "The Lord loves you." Intellect and reason can't change people, but God can. He's always searching for His sheep, and sooner or later His love prevails!


Julia Martin

Taking the stress out of Christmas

So it is the end of October and where has this year gone? For some time now the retail world has been preparing for the season ahead and Christmas displays are popping up everywhere.


This has caused excitement for those who love anything and all things Christmas, all the way to complete outrage and even protests against the retail stores early Christmas displays and advertising.


For someone like myself who has visited both ends of this spectrum I now enjoy the excitement that indicates Christmas is on its way. Far from the stress and agony that once came with worrying about having enough money to pay for Christmas, having enough time, the right presents, and whatever else needed to be done or bought.

So being somewhat discouraged with the Christmas hoopla we decided we needed to make Christmas more about the things that make it special. So as a family we have started celebrating our own version of advent throughout December, we have a wreath with candles and home-made advent calendars that not only contain treats for the kids but activities and challenges as well. We write Christmas Cards together, sing Christmas Carols, make gifts for others, light candles, read bible verses, and even act out the Christmas story as a family. As we have done this we have created family memories and traditions and found ourselves discussing the true meaning of Christmas.


We find that not everything goes to plan, you can never plan for tired, grumpy children (or parents for that matter) but we plan anyway, and early. It does help and by focusing on Jesus and the hope, love, joy and peace that Christmas represents these things have replaced what once was Christmas stress. The Christmas presents are a bonus.

“Merry Christmas”

Angela Thomas
(Wairoa Rock Church)

Published in The Gisborne Herald 31 October 2015

Staying in that moment

The house is a mess, the business has hit some bumps, and the car hit a bigger one.  Bills, reminders, missed appointments - it is easy to be overwhelmed by our daily difficulties and the doubts and fears which can easily transform them into epic disasters.

And then we turn on the news and see families drowning by the boatload or being gassed in the remains of their war ravaged homes and suddenly our problems seem petty.  For a moment we are thankful.  Yet somehow before we know it we have returned to our own spiralling thoughts and fears.

How do we stay in that moment of gratefulness which can give us a better perspective on our difficulties?  And how do we process the awful scenes playing out on our screens and not view the world with despair?

The bible says that “God will keep in perfect peace all who trust in him, all who fix their thoughts on him.” (Isaiah 26:3.)  It doesn’t say that our troubles will vanish; in fact Jesus says “in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  If we make a conscious effort to focus on God, to pray, to ask for His help and trust that He will answer, while being thankful for all that we have, we can have peace amidst the difficulty (Philippians 4:6,7).  We can be sure that even though our troubles seem insignificant compared to people in Syria or Burma, God cares about all the details of our lives. 

Encouraged, we can then turn our attention to helping others in our own communities and overseas and therefore make the world just that little bit better while we wait for Jesus to fix it all one great and glorious day.   

Larisa Hockey – Mangapapa Church

Since buying a farm John and Larisa Hockey have been living in that place of challenge and adventure where they get plenty of practise in focusing on God to keep their peace!

What flag will we choose?

I am interested to see what flag is chosen as this flag will represent what New Zealanders see as important.   

As a nation God has blessed us and continues to bless us.  We live in a beautiful country, the work of God’s creation, located in the Southern hemisphere, represented by imagery of the Southern Cross. We live in a nation, a colony of Britain, represented by the Union Jack and founded with a Treaty that attempted to establish principles for Maori and Pakeha to live together.  We live in a society with a justice system founded on the 10 commandments.  New Zealanders have benefited greatly from God’s work and following his guidance. 

God’s greatest work for the world occurred at the cross, where Jesus chose to die for our sin so that we could be forgiven, restored into relationship with our Heavenly Father and live forever.  “For God  loved the world so much he gave his only Son, so that anyone who  believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).” Just as the Southern Cross helped sailors navigate to New Zealand so the work on the cross guides us to our Heavenly father, to peace on earth now and to eternal life. 

The Bible records how nations prospered when they listened and obeyed God and were conquered or destroyed when they did not.  Our national anthem reflects our acknowledgement that we once wanted God’s help. But do you still talk and listen to Him? The answer to this question affects your life now and in the future. Regardless of what flag is chosen, the Southern Cross will shine bright in the sky and God’s work on the cross is complete “Jesus is the King of Kings and Prince of peace”. 

Nicola Hawkins

Mangapapa Church

Published in the Gisborne Herald 22 August 2015

There is no bigger question...

"Christians live on a different planet!"  A comment sometimes heard from those who think we are a bit silly in believing in faith in God, but there is a lot of truth in it!   

Physicist Stephen Hawking, in launching his great search for intelligent life in the universe recently said; "…there is no bigger question.  It’s time to commit to finding the answer, to search for life beyond Earth.  We must know.”   Well, as a Christian I would not discount the possibility of other God-created life  in an infinite universe, but I certainly would redefine what 'finding life' actually means, and what the 'no bigger question' is.  I will do so by sharing a very recent example.  

A member of our church has been to their sick and dying younger brother several times, encouraging him to turn to Jesus, to believe His love and forgiveness of sin and receive Jesus' very life that He brings into us.   The brother could or would not see it, until one night, he did decide to call out to Jesus, and he found indeed he was 'born again' spiritually into new life in Jesus Christ.  A fascinating thing has happened - this man, given no hope by wonderful specialists, is recovering physically as I write this.  It is a beautiful God-thing.  How long he will have on this planet, we don't know, but as he finally came into peace with God in his 'inner man', now his physical 'outer man' is responding too.  

How absolutely natural and wonderful is the spiritual life in Christ, that brings us to being one with God and with all God has created.  There is "no bigger question" - have you found the Way, the Truth and the Life?  Tune in your inner listening ear to Jesus Christ. 

Stewart Patrick 

Leader, Mangapapa Church, Gisborne 

Published in the Gisborne Herald Saturday 8 August 2015 

Stewart will be known by many for his earlier work with Youth for Christ, and has now been the leader at Mangapapa Church for the last few years.  He leads his church - God's church - with a strong commitment to the word of God as being the truth, and the importance of staying "in the vine".