ONE GENERATION TO ANOTHER

In 1983 I planted the Masterton Church (now Equippers Church) in the home of Jonathan and Margaret Hooker. Jonathan was then in the police force, but eventually became the Pastor. 15 months ago Jonathan resigned as the Senior Pastor so as to pursue a new direction, but they remain part of the church.

Sancha, Jonathan's mum was also part of the first meeting.

Churches are able to move forward when they value those who have laboured sacrifically in the past, build with the people God has linked now, and reach forward to an inspiring future.

Johnathan, Margaret, Sancha and Aaron (Johnathan and Margaret's Youngest Son)

EQUIPPERS MASTERTON

KEEP IT UP, EQUIPPERS CHURCH IN MASTERTON

Helen and I have just returned from spending the weekend in Masterton with Ps Willie and Desiree Levy and Equippers Church family. The level of expectation in the Church is inspiring and Ps Willie sure has not let any grass grow under his feet. Every Sunday new people are coming to the church and I have left Masterton with confidence that Equippers Church in Masterton will impact this city and beyond.

Ps Willie and Desiree Levy

Ed and Dulcie

Helen and I have just spent 36hrs with her parents in Levin. They are an amazing couple, who still live life to the max, filled with exciting new adventures. They have just returned from six weeks touring around the South Island in their motor home and already life is full and their constant statement is, 'we haven't got time,' to do all they want to do. Keep it up Ed and Dulcie.'
Bruce H Monk

Acts Churches NZ

Acts Churches National Leadership Team met in Auckland on Thursday. I have had the privilege of leading this team for the past eight years. What an inspiring group of leaders. They have moved out in faith, and taken bold, courageous steps forward with me.
Acts Churches in NZ are well positioned to lay hold of all God is currently doing, and many churches are already moving into a new growth phase.
We have much to give God thanks for, and our hearts are overflowing with praise.
Bruce H Monk

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM DANIEL? Part 2

3. DANIEL WAS VERY PURPOSEFUL HOW HE LIVED
Daniel 1. 8 Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.
He established boundaries in his life, so as to protect himself from evil influences. His boundaries were in area of food, but how much do we need boundaries in areas of morality, alcohol, drugs, relationships etc.

4. DANIEL ATTRACTED THE FAVOUR OF GOD AND MAN
Daniel 1.9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and good will
Daniel lived in such a way, that he not only attracted the attention of God, but also the people he served. What an example.

5. DANIEL SOUGHT GOD FOR REVELATION BY USING HIS GIFT
Daniel 2.16 so Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation.
He stirred up the gift God had entrusted to him, and went before the king with confidence.

6. DANIEL LIVED A LIFE FILLED WITH PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
Daniel 2.20 Daniel answered and said; blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are his.
He understood that praise acknowledges God’s power and supremacy and therefore positioned him before His throne.

7. DANIEL DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF ABOVE OTHER AROUND HIM
Daniel 6.3 then this Daniel distinguished himself......, because an excellent spirit was in him.
Daniel’s spirit was overflowing with abundance; he always had more than enough and this poured over to the people around him

God is currently raising a generation who know the same God as Daniel did.

We can make a difference

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MOVING IN NEW PLYMOUTH

It was a blessing for Helen and I to be at Park City Church in New Plymouth over the weekend. Every year they hold 'Impact Conference' and it was extra special this year, because they were celebrating their 75th anniversary as a church.

I was very impressed with the changes that have been made in the church, and this was clearly seen in the renewed culture that has been created, and a strong expectation in the people to keep moving forward.

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

SENIOR PASTOR CAREY AND JANINE CLOW.
Keep moving forward Park City Church

CHLOE MONK IS NOW THREE

On Saturday morning we had a fun time with all Chloe's friends at her third birthday. Chloe is very pretty, very cuddly, very friendly, very confident, very flexible and definitely has her own mind. She is an amazing little girl

THE THREE BOYS FROM OUT OF TOWN

THREE BOYS FROM OUT OF TOWN

Currently attending Equippers College, Mark Nash UK, Jono Prothero UK, and John Sparrow USA, at our family BBQ last night

Helping Mark Nash to celebrate his 21st birthday downunder.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM DANIEL? Part 1

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM DANIEL?

Daniel in the Bible was deported to Babylon at the age of sixteen and then for almost seventy years was used by God to speak into the Jewish and Gentile World. In the early stages of his captivity, he was handpicked for government service. Even though he lived in a heathen culture, was trained in their customs and learnt their language, he never lost the integrity of his relationship with God.
The word ‘define’ means:
· Mark out boundaries
· Show clearly the outline
· State precisely
· Give a clear cut outline
The reason Daniel’s life speaks today, is because he was very intentional about marking out inner boundaries and having a clear cut outline of how he would live his life.

Here are some things we can learn from his life:

1. DANIEL LOOKED BEYOND HIS CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES
Daniel 1.4 The King of Babylon looked for young men in whom there was no blemish, but good looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had the ability to serve in the kings palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.

While Daniel was in exile he had his name changed, learnt a new language, read the literature of a foreign heathen people, was trained in their customs and had to serve in the kings palace, but with all this, he never allowed his belief and love for God change.

2. DANIEL SERVED WILLINGLY EVEN WHEN HIS ENVIRONMENT CONFLICTED
Daniel 1.5 for three years he was trained that he might serve before the king.

He didn’t have the power to choose his environment, but his attitude is displayed by the fruit he carried. He served willingly, and gave of his best.

3. DANIEL WAS VERY PURPOSEFUL HOW HE LIVED
Daniel 1. 8 Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.

He established boundaries in his life, so as to protect himself from evil influences. His boundaries were in area of food, but how much do we need boundaries in areas of morality, alcohol, drugs, relationships etc.

Part two soon

Miss E and Helen

Helen is returning home from Sydney tonight after spending the weekend with Rebecca and the children.

Miss E (Ella) and Mammei (Helen)

Miss E gains the victory. What a great sport her Mammie is.
Photos taken from Rebecca's blog

YOUNG LEADERS AT TAUPO

Young people not only enjoy vibrant praise, but they also love the Presence of God and the opportunity to worship their Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.

YOUNG LEADERS AT TAUPO

ACTIONED PACKED PRAISE IN TAUPO

On Saturday over 150 young people gathered in Taupo for the North Island Young Leaders Summit. Again this was a powerful day, and it sure helps to build confidence for the future of ACTS CHURCHES in NZ.
Jordan Smith and James Roy are doing an amazing job of connecting young people throughout the country.
In the next month 'Revolution Tour' hosted by 'Equippers College' in Auckland, hits the road, and they will cover cities from Whangarei to Invercargill.
From April 9th - 12th 'Shout Conference' will be held in the Town Hall in Auckland City. Details for this event can be found at shout.org.nz
And then there will be 'Branded' held in both Dunedin and Totorua Springs.

This is very good medicine for an old fella like me.

MY MOTHER AND MY DAUGHTER

MY MOTHER AND MY DAUGHTER

This is a photo of my mother, Sybil Mary Monk, who will be 92 in June, and my only daughter Rebecca Helen Paramore.

My Mother still completes several cross words everyday, reads the Herald from cover to cover, plays the piano for the old people every week, is a keen card player, watches all the sports games on Sky, love to debate politics, has more than 30 great grand children, 1 great, great grand child, she is the only living first cousin of Kathren Mansfield (the famous New Zealand author), she loves Jesus, is a very gifted evangelist, an amazing abilty to accept people where they are at, and she is a very keeeeeeeeen talker.

My daughter Rebecca is our first born, she has the beautiful looks of her mother, she has always been a delightful daughter, she is an amazing mother of four lovely children, she is a much loved aunty, she has qualfied with a degree in education and teaching, she is a gifted painter and artist, she is the life of a party, she has a contagious laugh, she is a gifted communicator, even as a young girl she has always had a strong christian faith, she always attempts to walk in the fear of God, she is not vindictive and very forgiving, she loves the House of God, and she has an internal strength that has helped walk through difficult seasons of her life.

Today, I honour these amazing women and count it a privilege to have them in my life.

PREPARATION PRECEDES BLESSING

PREPARATION PRECEDES BLESSING

Currently we are in a season of God's favour and the Holy Spirit is stirring peoples hearts with fresh new vision and creative initiatives. Over the years I have this scripture to be helpful in the season of preparation

Habakkuk 2.1-4

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER AND WAITING ON GOD
V1 I will stand on my watch.

We need to get away with God and let the Holy Spirit speak.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WRITING DOWN WHAT YOU SEE
V2 Write the vision and make it plan on tablets that he may run who reads it.

We need to write down the inspiring ideas that come to us.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREPARATION AND KNOWING THE SEASONS
V3 for the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Spend time preparing, and then move, but allow the Holy Spirit to go before you and open doors of opportunity.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVING WITH A STRONG CONVICTION OF FAITH
V4 but the just shall live by faith

Faith doesn't waver even if times become tough, so don't give up or lose sight of the dream.

DARE TO BELIEVE AND REACH OUT

AN EMERGING GENERATION

On Saturday, Acts Churches hosted a seminar for emerging leaders in Christchurch. There were seventy young people out for the daylong seminar, and I was delighted by the calibre of the youth who attended and also the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit. Many of the youth were Baptised in the Holy Spirit and just about everyone was used in prophesy.

Some years ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to me from Psalm 144.12 where David says, “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style.” I see an emerging generation of young people, where the young men come to maturity very quickly and the girls have a security and grace that displays the glory of Jesus Christ.

Equippers Church in Christchurch will celebrate its first birthday in May and already they have a thriving Church. They have great music and worship, a strong level of community, and a motivated passion to make a difference in Christchurch. Every week they are seeing new people added to their church.

Pastors' John and Kerryn Malcolm are the Pastors' of Equippers Church in Chrischurch
An emerging generation of Leaders from Equippers Church in Christchurch

An Emerging Generation Worshipping God at our Seminar in Christchurch

PRAYER NEEDS

Now I am home, I have been reflecting on the major needs of the churches I visited around the world throughout the month of February. It is a blessing and privilege to partner with people who are totally commited to reaching lost people for Christ, and to build significant churches that will equip and empower God's people to extend the Kingdom of God.

Here are some needs

To build a complex with a church, school and health clinic in Gauoa, Burkina Faso. The photo below is a complex built for the Apostolic Church in the capital city of Burkina, but very little aid reaches places like Gauoa, so we have a vision to help.

These are young boys from Gauoa. With good education and health we can change the future of boys like this.
Equippers London are currently focusing on outreach, so please pray that the Holy Spirit will open to them significant doors of opportunity, so they can reach out to lost people for Christ.

Equippers Berlin and Christus Zentrum (Equippers Celle) in Germany are progressing well but please pray a release of finances so they can move to the next level.

Jurgen is leading a staff meeting in Celle.

Harvest Church in Chennai India needs a new building for the main church so the church can handle the growing number of people attending their services. This church can grow to 1000 people very quickly with the right building.

Leaders attending a leadership seminar in Chennai

In the US, Pastor Pat and Terri Sparrow are praying for wisdom to release an emerging generation, so they can build an apostolic house of influence and resource.

We have the opportunity to partner with significant ministries around the world.

HOME AGAIN IN NZ

Helen and I have just returned home after an actioned packed month of mission and ministry. I have been to India, London, Germany, Burina Faso and USA. We finished our month away ministering at a church Pastored by good friends on the Central Coast of California. Pastor Pat and Terri Sparrow are the Senior Ministers of a church called 'Shouts of Grace.' They planted the church four years ago and on Sunday there were about 150 people at the morning service.

Pastor Pat and Terri Sparrow

The amazing Helen enjoying the beach on the Central Coast. Helen and Libby Huirua were the key note speakers at Essence London along with Peter Prothero. I am not sure how Peter qualified to be a speaker at a women's conference, but I suppose living in a home with six females isnt a bad training camp.
The Sun Rising on the Central Coast