24 November 2008

Dear Friends and Supporters

Recently, Lynette Collis tendered her resignation as Manager of Kidsreach NZ. Lynette has made a significant contribution to Kidsreach and been a real blessing to many children’s workers in her 13 months at the helm. It is with regret that we have accepted she is no longer able to continue in this role. She and husband Tony are pastoring a rapidly growing church and this, combined with family commitments, is what led to her decision. We’d like to thank Lynette enormously for her efforts and wish her all the very best in future endeavours.

As it happens, her decision has coincided with a few other significant factors and alerted us to the need to reassess where the ministry of Kidsreach is sitting/heading.

At times like this, we are forced to seek God and His plans for future direction, which we have been doing. Part of this process has been to pray, to seek counsel from others and to look hard into current circumstances at what may be revealed.

It is our desire to remain a relevant and viable ministry to children’s workers in the nation and while we can thank God for much fruit, some of our endeavours are struggling (we have recently had to cancel several events due to lack of support) and our financials are under stress.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1,2

What we believe in God to be right are the following:

1. We will not be replacing our manager and our office operations in Paraparaumu will be scaled right back over the next couple of months. We will let you know further details of these changes (by email and on the website) as they come to hand.
2. Our resources will definitely continue to be available and to that end, we are negotiating a 3rd-party distributor. This will make very little difference to customers and you will continue to hear from us with updates on new products and newsletters designed to uplift and encourage you in your ministry.
3. There will be no National Conference in 2009. It is a time for regrouping and reassessing on this one. However, we would like to hear from people who are enthusiastic and passionate about being part of a 2010 organising team. Contact David Goodwin - david.kidsreach@gmail.com.
4. 2009 training events will be held on an “invitation basis”. Contact David Goodwin - david.kidsreach@gmail.com if you would like to host a training event (one day or one week) and he will work out the NZ programme.
5. KidsReachingKids 2009. We will be speaking with leaders who have attended KRK Conferences in recent years regarding a 2009 event. If you have not yet attended but would like to be involved in the future of this event, contact David Goodwin - david.kidsreach@gmail.com.
6. Children’s Ministry Intensives - the one-week courses in conjunction with Laidlaw College (formerly BCNZ). These will be subject to review by both parties and we will be talking with the students involved.
7. Kids Keep Safe – will continue in its current form. Right now, John Brickell, the Promotions Manager, is almost through a 6-month contract with us and continued progress relies on securing funding which we are confident of getting. Please pray with us for success in this area and that it continues to meet with approval wherever it is introduced.
8. Keeping in Touch – we need to move swiftly to an email-only newsletter, wherever possible. To help with this:
   1. Please supply your email address if we do not have it. Send to mail@kidsreach.org.nz – before the 10 December 2008.
   2. If you don’t have email and want us to keep in touch with you, please advise using the enclosed return slip and ticking as appropriate.
   3. If you think we have your email address but you have not heard from us lately via email (we sent out a newsletter in August, October and several email briefs as well in that period) please check your Spam Box. Sometimes bulk mailouts go automatically to your spam box and you have to select it and tick the box that says you want to accept the mail from us.
9. Kidsreach Sri Lanka is a vibrant arm of our NZ ministry and has growing needs. To those who already contribute monthly, thank you. If you do not yet, but would like to become a financial supporter of this exceptional work, please indicate on the enclosed form and return it to us ASAP. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. There are other countries that have children in great need. We will continue to keep you informed as to how you can contribute.
10. Looking ahead: if you would like to be involved in a significant role (part of a team) in the on-going ministry of Kidsreach in NZ, contact David Goodwin - david.kidsreach@gmail.com.

Thanks so much for reading through this lengthy letter. Right now, we see the ministry at the end of a chapter, but not the story. We have tried to be a servant to you in all we do and have done over the last 20 years. Please pray with us during this time of reflection and reformation that we will continue to be able to be that.

Yours in Christ
David Goodwin
On behalf of the Kidsreach Board of Trustees

Stock Reduction Sale

Kidsreach, 9 Hinemoa St, Paraparaumu
10am to 2pm
Monday to Saturday
1 to 6 December 2008

Huge range of Children’s Ministry Resources
33% off Kidsreach written resources
Clearance prices on other product – list enclosed.
Cash, cheque or credit card – sorry, no EFTPOS

Product Lists

• Mail order Kidsreach Stock Reduction Sales List
• Mail order 'Non-Kidsreach' Stock Clearance Sales List

Sponsors

Our work would not be possible without the support of a few key corporate donors; Amnico Foundation, KingGrapes and GardenFX. Thanks also to the Waikanae Lions Club.

This Newsletter ...

... is sent to you ([[Addressee]] - [[Email]]) by Kidsreach Charitable Trust. We have your email address in our contacts database because you have either been a long term supporter, have attended our conference, been to one of our training courses or purchased resources from us - or perhaps any combination of the these.

We respect your right to privacy and, while we would miss you, if you wish to unsubscribe, simply click reply to this email recording "unsubsribe" in the subject line.

David Goodwin
Kidsreach Charitable Trust
PO Box 305, Waikanae, NZ
P: 04 904 1217, F: 09 904 1217
E: mail@kidsreach.org.nz