CPM latest

After a break of two weeks with no updates, how is it all going - or have we come to a dramatic full stop? After two full-on weeks, with daily door-knocking and continuing follow-up, other commitments have meant that recently we have only been able to follow-up the warm contacts we made initially.

CPM quote figures, not of "converts", but of people baptised and churches planted. This makes good sense, as inevitably some people will make some kind of commitment to follow Jesus, but then either change their minds, decide they want no further contact with us, or feed into more traditional churches - which is fine. But T4T is all about training trainers, so the first thing we look for is people showing they are serious about following Jesus by obeying His command to be baptised. In New Testament times, people seem to have been baptised almost immediately - so we don't hang around either - our first baptism will happen next Friday, hopefully the first of many.

What about churches? Well I wouldn't claim that we have planted any yet! But as people become followers of Jesus, we immediately start training them, so that they in turn can train others...and so on. Firstly, we train people to tell their own story and God's story, and to identify their "oikos" - family and friends they can quickly talk to about Jesus. Then in their homes we meet weekly, and as they participate we model how to run training! Their family and friends help form the embryonic church.

So...one baptism planned, 5 groups (potential churches) running each week, with another 3 likely groups. But the exciting bit comes when these groups don't just grow, but multiply - generationally. Watch this space!

The people we have seen respond bring inevitable baggage. We have been introduced to drug-dealers, met parents hoping to take a baby into their care, and have been thrust firmly into the seedier side of Kiwi life. For the first time since we arrived in New Zealand, I feel that I belong, and that I am walking where Jesus walks.