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From Pastor Jacqui Caetano (19Feb2023)

Epsom Baptist Church is a rapidly growing church. You may sense something different as an English congregation. We have declined in numbers in the English service to worrying numbers, but as a church we are growing by at least a family each week. Remember the little ceremony we had in June last year. The mandarin service planted a feijoa tree and the English congregation planted a mandarin tree as a pledge to unity and oneness. Why then is Christianity declining in New Zealand? Numbers of people affiliated with Christianity has been declining since the 1990s, and those stating that they have no religious affiliation has increased. With increased immigration to New Zealand, especially from Asia, the number of people affiliating with non-Christian religions has largely increased. This has slightly skewed the statistics. However, this does not detract from the fact that fewer and fewer New Zealanders attend church.
A Faith and Belief in New Zealand commission was conducted in 2018 . The report was commissioned by the Wilberforce Foundation, an Auckland-based Christian organisation. The report says New Zealand's "youth as a nation and resulting lack of religious tradition" could be one reason for the rise of secularism. "Perhaps the increasing busyness of modern-day life or the emphasis on individualism and selfcreated identity have also had an impact." Autonomy has eroded trust of others and social institutions such as media, government, church and even family. New Zealanders are a very welcoming nation, friendly and a courteous nation. Naturally rejection lies deep within an individualistic society , plagued by loneliness. Evangelism as we know it has thus taken a dive. There is a way forward.
Pastor Jacqui


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From Pastor Jacqui Caetano (5Feb2023)

I am always so amazed and truly blessed by the devotional material I use in my daily walk with God, written months or even years before I delve into them because they speak into my life in the now. God knows what will happen in Auckland and inspires writers of devotionals well in advance to bless Aucklanders who read them with His love and reassurance in the moment. AND what amazes me further is that I use a number of different devotionals that speak the same thing! They help me build understanding and speak into what is happening. This week was no exception! For me Psalm 8 spoke of God’s majestic power of over all of creation, Psalm 19 described God’s mighty voice speaking through a trembling earth and the roaring flood waters! In Revelation 1, John describes a magnificent picture of Jesus speaking to him! -Jesus with eyes like a flame of fire, hair as white as wool, and his voice was like the roar of many waters…. I could not help draw comfort from His Word knowing he was speaking to me through it! God put in my path people in distress that compelled me to action … that cost me time, energy, money, sleep, health …. God helped me understand a whole lot more of what James is unapologetically confronting us about. What is God nudging you about at this time through your devotional readings? Have a blessed week
Pastor Jacqui


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From Pastor Jacqui Caetano (29Jan2023)

There is much to pray about, many to pray for, and to pray in to this new season we are in. Please join in on zoom prayer this Wednesday 1 st February at 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm We will begin by praying for those who are sick among us, for direction for this coming year, and decide for our Bible studies this year. I so look forward to a once off meeting on zoom so that more of us can join in for this one of time. Our Wednesday evening Bible Study will resume on February 8 th at 7.30 pm, and hopefully smaller groups of even 2 or 3 as informal but regular gatherings to support one another in prayer at this time.
Epsom Baptist English Prayer meeting is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86785452183?pwd=RG41SHAyZldXQUJ5K1BYcDlycElYUT09 Meeting ID: 867 8545 2183. Passcode: 997339
Pastor Jacqui