We'll our 2008 Australian and New Zealand conference are history, good, empowering and enlightening times etched in the minds of hundreds. Lynette Collis, our New Zealand manager, records her impressions of the 2008, and her first, New Zealand conference ...

Reach, Reach, Reach…

What a great theme we had for conference this year.

Evangelism is so close to my heart as my husband and I have worked on the front lines in evangelism for over 20 years.

Nothing moves the “Heart of God” more than when we reach out to those who don’t know Him. It has been said that some people seek the “Hand of God”, his provision, healing, gifts and blessings…all of which He wants to give us, some people seek the “Face of God”, his presence and personal relationship, which we need and he desires but the ultimate is to know the “Heart of God” and what His heart beats for… the lost…the lost …the lost. The whole of history has been woven by God himself as he has reached out to man to bring him back into right relationship with himself. Praise Him that he has made a way!

Children need to know that they too can have this personal relationship and this as people who work with children it our mandate too. Jesus said “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” and this is why “Reach” “was our theme for 2008.

I had personally never been to a Kidsreach Conference so found myself in an interesting role co-ordinating something I had not yet seen. Gabrielle Liddle, who you all know was a tremendous help as she guided me through the planning and preparation, thank you Gabrielle. What a pleasure it was to serve in this way and to see you encouraged, trained, re-fired and released to do the work that God has called you to do.

Some conference highlights …

• The word that Pastor Don Barry gave on the opening night about Elisha’s ‘Bible college student” loosing his axe head as he worked was a word in session for so many. Even though this student was in the right place, doing the right thing, the right way…he lost his edge. Don reminded us that we too can experience this in ministry and that conference was a place where we could regain our edge and it could ‘float to the surface again just as it did for Elisha’s student.
  I know that for many the edge was restored.
• Well what can we say … our puppet friends delighted us as they entertained, taught and at times interjected … (be it not always appropriately) I know some of you were inspired to add this very powerful and effective means of communication to your ministry and I saw some fabric friends leaving the room on the arms of new masters.
• I am sure that you will agree that our speakers this year were inspiring, challenging, and at times so thought provoking it was hard to focus on the next thing! I encourage you to get the CDs for the conference. The sessions were so filled that you could be inspired and fed for a year listening to them over and over again. We do this as we drive in the car much to our kids frustration at times. Details here.
• The Clancy’s were amazing as they taught us by example how to help children come into that place of worship and brought us with them
• I have attended many conferences over many years and I have never seen the level of networking going on that I saw at Kidsreach … it was extraordinary to see people interacting and talking about their journey and sharing ministry ideas.
• The prayer ministry time and commissioning service on Saturday night was such a blessing to many. I know that some of you were refreshed, healed and given back your axe-head during this time from the Father himself. What an awesome God we serve!

So on that note I will finish with saying thank you to all of you who attended the conference…we would have been very lonely without you! We at Kidsreach feel privileged to serve the “Body of Christ” in this way and we trust that you are walking into the awesome plans that he has for you and your children’s ministry. Thank you for serving the children of Aoteroroa.

Yours Together in His Service,
Lynette Collis Kidsreach
NZ Manager

See you 2009!