July Newsletter
A Quiet Revival in our Midst?
“Don’t you have a saying “It’s still four months to harvest"? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35)
Something is stirring. Few are brave enough to call it revival, but up and down the motu people are telling stories of swelling churches, a renewed interest in bible reading. and especially of young men showing up to church. And NZ is not alone. The UK Bible Society has just published ‘The Quiet Revival’ which reports a 56% increase in church attendance since 2018. Most remarkable is the quadrupling of church attendance among Gen Z from 4% to 16% (and 21% in the case of young men).
Other findings include:
- The greatest growth is in Pentecostalism and Catholicism
- Church-going is becoming more ethnically diverse, particularly amongst those under 55.
- Younger people are much more likely than older people to be positive about people sharing their faith, reading the Bible, or having spiritual practices.
- Bible reading is going up - 67% of regular church attenders now read Scripture weekly, compared to 54% in 2018.
The Quiet Revival is named because it is “low key but widespread. It doesn’t draw attention to a particular leadership style, place, time, or way of doing church, or a political influence.” Last week James Beck and I joined the excellent Little Revolutions Conferences in Wellington and Christchurch and heard similar stories of sudden and unexpected increases in church attendance, conversions and baptisms. It's patchy and not every church is flourishing, but enough are growing to suggest not everyone is losing their religion.
The responses to the Quiet Revival report have ranged from quizzical to hopeful with some common themes emerging:
- Revival is always birthed in prayer and gives birth to prayer – “the hinge of history is bended knee” (Pete Greig)
- There has been a ‘vibe shift’ -whatever is happening is connected to our cultural moment. Faith is once again being seen as credible. What will it take to move it from a sociological phenomenon to a spiritual phenomenon?
- Muscle memory ministry” will not take this from a moment to a movement.
- Gen Z are driving this trend, contradicting the earlier narrative that each generation is less religious than their parents
- Historically revival has always been accompanied by a call to personal holiness and social renewal. This is the test of real revival.
- We cannot engineer revival, but we can earnestly seek it and equip the Church with resources, leadership development and prayer in anticipation.
The Quiet Revival authors conclude “It is clearly impossible to say whether this Quiet Revival will continue … or fade into insignificance.” As someone at Little Revolutions said in response “we continue our work whatever the weather.”
We’d love to know what you are seeing. Are we witnessing our own quiet revival and if we are, how is it similar or different to previous moves of Wairua Tapu in our land?”
Ngā mannakitanga
Chris Clarke
CEO
Lunch and Learn
Good News: Sowing Seeds of the Gospel in Your Context
Want to equip your team to confidently and appropriately share the good news of Jesus? We've got you; join this must-attend webinar to explore different evangelism training opportunities the Wilberforce Foundation would like to make available to you.
Discover the right approach for your unique context and empower your team to share the reason for the hope they have.
Details:
- Date: Monday, 28th July
- Time: 12:00–1:00pm
Format: Panel Discussion
Host: Aimee Mai
Our panellists:
- Athletes in Action / Tandem
- Catalyst Movement
The Wayfinders
Lunch and Learn
Christian Communication Principles for our Cultural Moment
Join us for our next Lunch and Learn webinar, where we welcome John Watson, Founding Director of faith-based communications consultancy Good Mahi. With a background in journalism and deep experience in PR, John will share Good Mahi’s Seven Guiding Christian Communications Principles—a framework that combines scriptural wisdom with industry best practice to help Christian organisations speak clearly, compellingly, and with integrity in the public square.
Whether you're involved in media, fundraising, leadership, or public engagement, this session will equip you with tools to communicate in a way that reflects both your faith and your mission.
Date: Friday, 29th August
Time: 12:00–1:00pm
Wilberforce Foundation CEO Networking Event!
We are thrilled to have a series of CEO networking events planned for all of you who work in the Christian for-purpose sector.
We’d love to support you in your role and we hope you’ll find encouragement in the company of like-minded people. The conversation is always stimulating and enlightening as we share our joys and discuss the challenges and opportunities we face together.
Please RSVP below to attend any of these events in your area
Auckland Central
Date: Wednesday, July 23
Location: Tupu'anga Coffee, 597 Mount Eden Road Auckland
Inaugural Christian Women in Governance Network Retreat
In June, we had the pleasure of hosting the inaugural Christian Women in Governance Network Retreat at the stunning Clearwater Resort in Christchurch.
Despite the weather closing in around us, we were able to appreciate the beauty of the place. The resort staff took excellent care of us, ensuring we were warm, dry, and very well-fed throughout our stay.
The retreat brought together a group of women who share a keen interest in enhancing their governance capabilities, particularly within a faith-based context. Our excellent speakers included Kirsten Patterson, Chief Executive of the Institute of Directors; Steven Moe, partner at Parry Field Lawyers; counsellor & Licensed Private Investigator Charlotte Cummings; and Jody Hohaia, lecturer at the University of Canterbury. Each speaker offered unique insights into governance, blending encouragement with challenges to inspire growth and reflection.
Being in a learning environment with so many high-calibre women was truly fantastic. The energy and enthusiasm were palpable, and the shared commitment to governance excellence was inspiring.
Feedback from participants
“It is so wonderful to find community, have a safe space to talk, be encouraged and affirmed, and grow. What a gift to be around so many incredible women.”
“I feel energised, excited, and inspired to contribute my skills to organisations in Aotearoa, both in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. I now have a greater sense of confidence, knowing I have the resources and an incredible network of people to support me on my governance journey. Thank you, Wilberforce Foundation, for investing in me. I feel so blessed!”
“It can be a lonely road, and at times I've not known where to go for support and encouragement from women who have also chosen a road less travelled by others. This group and retreat have given me a community of like-minded people and helped me not feel so alone. A highlight for me was hearing people's stories and the impact they have had in their work and governance contributions. This was so inspiring and drives me to continue my commitment to leading with impact and purpose."
We look forward to many more retreats and opportunities to grow together in our governance journeys. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success!
The Christian Women in Governance Network has online events planned for the remainder of this year. If you would like to hear more about them please sign up to our mailing list
Boardcraft – Governing for Impact
A 2-day governance programme for faith-based board leaders
The Wilberforce Foundation invites Chairs, Board Members, and CEOs to Boardcraft – Governing for Impact, a hands-on programme designed specifically for faith-based organisations.
Led by Dr. Peter Crow, an internationally respected governance expert, this course covers the fundamentals of effective board leadership. You’ll explore practical case studies, receive a detailed workbook, and join an ongoing Community of Practice.
See petercrow.com for more about Peter.
Event Details
Location: Lighthouse Hub, 51 Hugo Johnston Drive, Auckland
Dates:
Day 1: Monday 7 July
Day 2: Monday 11 August
Cost: $575 (includes materials and catering)
Numbers are limited so please register your expression of interest below before Friday 27 June if you would like to attend.
Save the date for 'Good News for Aotearoa'
Encouraging Evangelists from across NZ
We’re gathering evangelists, gospel workers, and ministry leaders from across Aotearoa for two catalytic days — and we’d love you to be there.
It will be a time to be encouraged, and inspired in your work for the Lord, as well as an opportunity to meet other’s from across the motu who feel called to share the Lord’s heart with those around them.
Speaker: Jon Hori
Date: 10–11 October 2025
Location: The Journey, Greenlane, Auckland (1 Marewa Road, Greenlane)
Cost: $80 per person (waged), $49 (unwaged)
About Jon Hori
For over 25 years, Jon Hori has been serving the local and global church—first as a pastor and church planter, and now as the West Coast and East Asia Director for 'seeJesus', a global discipling mission. Watching people discover the depth of God’s love for them and seeing them fall deeper in love with Jesus keeps Jon teaching, preaching, traveling, and praying through it all. Jon and Sonia, his wife of 25 years, have four children and one son-in-law. They currently reside in Southern California.
The Good News Project
In June, the Wilberforce Foundation was thrilled to support James Beck in leading the Good News Project, which was run in-conjunction with World Vision’s 40 Hour Challenge.
This initiative provided a fantastic opportunity for youth groups to engage in outdoor activities, connect with nature, and show their care for God’s creation. The 40 Hour Challenge aimed to raise funds for communities in the Solomon Islands, helping them cultivate more vegetables and plant mangroves to combat rising sea levels and climate change. The Good News Project beautifully aligned with youth groups in New Zealand planting to support their peers in the Solomon Islands.
At Wilberforce, we are always excited to support A Rocha’s efforts through the Good News Project, giving youth the chance to get their hands dirty and find practical ways to express God’s love for creation.
You can watch more about it here:
Wilberforce Community Newsletter
If you have any announcements, stories, or events you’d like to share with our community, please send them to us.
All articles should be sent to news@wilberforce.org.nz
Deadline for article submissions: The 9th of every month.
The newsletter will be distributed on the 16th of every month.
Thank you for your continued engagement, and we look forward to hearing from you.
