Wilberforce Community News
Kia ora ,
Our last edition for 2024! We are so thrilled by the response to this newsletter and the opportunity it has provided for our community. See you back here in February 2025 with more events, opportunities, and news.
In this edition you will find:
- The 2024 Ethical Christmas Guide to help you complete your Christmas shopping
- Save the Date details for the Reflect 2025 Conference
- An available position with Jesus Film Mission trips
- All you need to know to register for Lead 2025
- Our recent Lunch and Learn webinars
- Dates for the 2025 ISMNZ National Conference
If you have content you'd like us to include in a future edition of the Wilberforce Community News, you can email news@wilberforce.org.nz. Please note that requests must be submitted by the first Friday of the month to be included in that month's newsletter.
Ngā mihi,
The Wilberforce Foundation Team
P.S. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to others you think may be interested in the content - the best way to do this is by using the 'FORWARD' button at the bottom of this page. This will ensure all the links work correctly. Look for the envelope symbol below.
2024 Ethical Christmas Guide
Find the perfect Christmas gift that aligns with your values.
Promoting unique gifts that were made with empowered hands, Fair&Good's 2024 Ethical Christmas Gift Guide features more than 60 products by brands that are doing good. Browse your favourite brands and shop ethically this Christmas!
I've put these items on my wish list;
- People's Coffee - Home Espresso Taster Pack
- Collective Canvas Bal White and Black sneakers
- Trade Aid Christmas decorations
We absolutely recommend taking a look! If you've done your shopping already, file away some ideas for next year or for upcoming birthdays.
Learn more about the guide on their website and get shopping below.
CMF NZ & NCFNZ are co-hosting the 'Reflect 2025' Conference
We are delighted to announce that our keynote speaker for the Reflect 2025 Conference is
Professor Megan Best
She is the Professor of Bioethics at the Institute for Ethics and Society at The University of Notre Dame Australia, and internationally known for her work on Christian bioethics.
CMFnz and NCFNZ are co-hosting Reflect 2025 to connect and inspire Christian health workers and students across Aotearoa.
Spread the word and save the date!
ONE-DAY EVENT Auckland - 17th May
ONE-DAY EVENT Dunedin - 24th May
For more on CMFnz check out the 1.5m clip
Tandem Ministries: Jesus Film Project Sending Hub Coordinator
Tandem Ministries is an Evangelism and Discipleship Ministry focused on reaching strategic groups of society. Those groups are students, families, workplaces, military, and athletes, and online audiences. They help churches reach their communities.
Tandem also sends missionaries and mission trips regularly to the Pacific and globally. We are looking for someone with a missions background to lead our Jesus Film Mission trip work into the Pacific Islands.
Register Now for Arrow Leadership NZ's 'LEAD 2025'
We’re thrilled to announce that registrations are now open for LEAD 2025, a transformative leadership journey designed for pastors and leaders seeking deeper formation and practical skills for ministry in Aotearoa.
Why LEAD?
LEAD 2025, supported by Arrow Leadership, offers a unique learning experience that shapes gospel-centered leaders who want to be led by Jesus, lead more like Jesus, and Lead TO Jesus in relational and experiential ways. The kaupapa is threefold: personal vocational formation, cultural capacity,
and community transformation.
As a non-denominational program, LEAD 2025 fosters a diverse, supportive community that strengthens the wider Christian community across Aotearoa. The programme aims to nurture effective, culturally grounded leaders who are able to build relationships and resilience in their unique contexts.
It includes:
- Three residential retreats
- Tailored learning plans to embed growth
- Online reading rooms
- Connection with a cohort of 15+ like-minded leaders
- And much more!
Want to know more?
Please register your interest by clicking below or contact us for more information.
We’d love to connect with you soon!
Lunch and Learn webinar: Faith and Action Report
Watch our webinar with James Stewart who discussed the recently released report, in particular the insights for the parachurch sector. You can also download his presentation from the webinar: click here.
The Faith In Action Report profiles the 3,200 registered church entities and 1,000 para-church organisations across New Zealand. For the first time, trends across denominations & geography over the last decade have been compiled to provide insights into where the church is growing and shrinking across Aotearoa.
You can read the full report by clicking the link below.
Lunch and Learn; The Fundraising Special
Funding is, without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges faced by Christian ministries. The struggle to raise funds can often feel lonely, draining, and even hopeless.
In November Bruce, Jenny, and Sean shared their valuable insights and expertise in fundraising with us. If you missed the session, don't worry—you can catch up by watching the video through the link below.
The 2025 ISMNZ National Conference: "Abiding and Fruitful"
We are excited to announce that our 2025 ISMNZ Workers Conference will be held from 6-9 February 2025 at te Waiora / the Centre at Massey University. This year’s theme, "Abiding and Fruitful," invites us to deepen our relationship with Christ while equipping ourselves to serve effectively in ministry to international students.
Taking advantage of Waitangi Day on Thursday, 6 February, we will gather for a retreat-style experience focusing on abiding in Christ. The first two days will include ample time for devotion, reflection, and worship, fostering a space for spiritual renewal.
The latter part of the conference, on Saturday and Sunday, will shift our focus towards being fruitful for Christ. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss best practices and receive equipping for their ministry work.
The cost for the conference is $120 per person, which covers cost-equalised and
subsidised accommodation and meals. Check-in will begin at 3 PM on Thursday at the Centre. For directions please click the button.
If you are passionate about international student ministry in NZ and resonate with the ISMNZ vision, mission and values, you’re most welcome to join us.
You can register via the link or the QR code below
