Being among over 5,000 participants from nearly every nation, united in worship and mission, felt like a foretaste of heaven.

"As a Christian I believe that God created this world. So it's pretty amazing being able to capture it and offer that as a service. The business brings a bit of light and hope to people."

If we have healthy families living on mission and supporting one another through the generations – not just within the family unit but including grandparents, aunties, uncles and the church family – then we can really make a difference in society.

"Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

If there's anything that youth need, it's that connection. It’s those people in their lives that believe in them, that they can talk to openly and honestly and not be judged or spoken down to, but actually heard.

He’s a gentle souled creative, and time spent with him revealed a nuggety depth to his person.

When we bless animals, we're echoing the divine blessing. We often forget that God not only blesses humans with the words "be fruitful and multiply".

The Op Shop Ball served as a runway for some truly stunning outfits, from funky jumpsuits and chilli costumes to ball dresses and suits.

The inspiration struck while attending a clubs day at Canterbury University. It was a fantastic way for students to engage with different clubs, and I thought, why not bring that concept to Nelson?

"We don't just want to have ‘mission’ as a programme or ‘social justice’ as an event, we ultimately want it as a lifestyle. But if you want it as a lifestyle, you have to embody it."

We’re trying to build a core group that will invite others, be a place that welcomes non-Christians, and grow from there.

I’ve just started as the new Regional Leader for Launchpad in Nelson, and I’m excited to say that we’re seeing a local resurgence after a decline over the years.

I offer for reflection a poem penned by Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat, who teaches theology at Wycliffe College.

"I move, Mr President, that we do not use the word ‘God’ in the prayer book..."

I know that God is at work precisely because this is God’s work – healing, forgiveness and reconciliation is the family business!

This year, I want to call our attention to the reality that the spiritual temperature in our society is beginning to change, that spring is arriving, and there is a “harvest in the basket” waiting for us outside the walls of our churches!

St John’s College Trust Board is offering scholarships to help cover your study costs, from tuition fees to living expenses – and applications close soon.

The first thing I felt God put on my heart when I was thinking about this job was what J.F. Kennedy had said to his people in 1962.

I still remember when I was called directly by God to reclaim my Māori identity. He simply told me to “come home”.

"When I asked Bishop Steve what his vision was for this diocese, he said to me that it is to take 'church outside church'."

There are many challenges in our work, but also many opportunities for mission. Together, we’re supporting and training students to reach the 1.1 million students in the greater Tokyo region.

In our diocese, there are a few key people whose hard mahi make our annual synod happen. I spoke with two in particular, here in the Anglican Centre: Deborah Oliver and Renata van der Wal.

God, in Christ, is in the restoration business – and chooses to do it through human transformation.

There have been times in my journey where I’ve thought, "Does anyone else get this?" To be in a room where just about everyone else does get it – or at least they’re curious about it – was good for my edgy soul.

When I was younger I used to be excited at the number of things I accomplished in a day. As I get older, I’m realising that having too many things on the go means I don’t do any of them that well.