“Pain drove me into an intense search for healing and meaning.” These are the words of 33-year-old Maurice “Mo” Neuwirth, originally from Germany. After a childhood of many health problems, Mo studied engineering and through a journey of depression, delved deep into New Age spirituality throughout the world - eventually leading him here to New Zealand, where he encountered Jesus in a powerful way. I hope you can be encouraged, as I was, by Mo’s story and learning something from a new Christian about how we can better welcome and support them in our churches.
Mo: I didn’t grow up deeply involved with Christianity. Being born on Christmas Eve, one of my few experiences of church was going once a year with my family, mostly at my grandmother’s insistence. I was very reluctant. I’m Protestant and even did a confirmation, but I didn’t really understand it – I mostly did it for the money! For a long time, I was an atheist and very skeptical.
As a German engineer, the idea that there was only one way to God, that Jesus was the only way, and that the Bible was the ultimate authority, seemed not only strange but almost laughable. I looked down on Christians and thought, “All these people are so blind, so naive.”
Everything changed when Jesus met me here in New Zealand. It was during the Earth Beat Festival, inside a tipi, while I was under the influence of San Pedro.
There were small moments, like one guy saying, “Stick to the Most High, bro”, which intuitively made sense to me: there had to be one Most High, one ultimate Spirit, the Holy Spirit. And then the worship singers came into the tipi, and the peace of God hit me in a way I had never experienced before. It was profound and undeniable and unlike anything I had ever felt in my life. Interestingly, one of those worship leaders is now a good friend and part of the team where I’m serving at the Church of the Epiphany. That moment was life-changing and marked the beginning of a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. Just two days later – on Easter Sunday, 31 March 31 2024 – I was baptised on Waiheke Island. At that point I didn’t even fully understand who he was or what he had done on the cross, but I knew I had met the living God.
Mo: What drew me to Jesus personally was the peace, love, and freedom I experienced at the Earth Beat Festival.
During the festival, I found myself in a shamanic role, having cooked and served the San Pedro cactus. I was overwhelmed, orchestrating the ceremony while receiving directions and instructions from many spirits. The chaos increased, and I reached a breaking point. In that moment, I cried out to God. He came, cutting the lines to the other spirits and bringing peace, clarity, and authority. It was profound and beautiful.
The next morning, the pull of the old ways began again. I micro-dosed a little of the remaining cactus medicine, and in my confusion, I added too much firewood around blankets, which ended up burning down one of the tipis. I went back to rest, and when I returned, I saw the chaos – a striking visual of the spiritual turmoil and imbalance around me.
Amidst this, I felt a clear conviction to sing Jesus songs in front of the tipi with the woman who had led the tribal village. It wasn’t just a thought – it was a tangible prompting from God. Afterward, I asked her about water baptism, and she mentioned a man who would later become my baptism leader. God clearly drew me to take this step. Two days later, on Easter Sunday, I was baptised on Waiheke Island.
This whole experience – overwhelming, chaotic, and yet full of unmistakable guidance – showed me that Jesus actively pursues us. He met me in my confusion and brokenness, offering peace and authority that I could not find on my own. That love drew me to him, and it continues to guide me every day as I live in Golden Bay, serve in the Church of the Epiphany, and prepare to study at Bible college next year in Nelson.
Mo: I see Jesus at work in my everyday life in absolutely profound ways. He started so gently with me, meeting me where I was. After my baptism, I began visiting a small home group led by the man who baptised me, staying with a Christian family, reading resources, listening to podcasts, and slowly immersing myself in the Bible. It felt like Jesus was “washing my brain”, clearing away lies, and gently purifying my attitudes, selfishness, and idols layer by layer.
He has been working on deep issues in my life, like addictions to cannabis, overeating, and other “band-aid” solutions I had relied on, while also helping me let go of my own ambitious plans for business and entrepreneurship. Instead, he’s guiding me into a slower, more intentional life here in Golden Bay, working in the Church of the Epiphany community, surrounded by the right people at the right times, supporting and encouraging me every step of the way.
Even though it’s not always easy – sometimes I struggle with striving or falling into legalism – Jesus’ work in me has been astonishingly thorough and gentle. I feel humbled and full of gratitude for what he is doing, and I’m excited to see how this community, much like the revival depicted in Jesus Revolution, is coming alive here in Golden Bay.
Mo: What has been most helpful for me as a new believer is the people and the community. Kirsty, a dear friend here, often says we need to “love people back”, and that has really stuck with me. It’s not about doctrines or teachings, but simply being present, seeing the work of the Holy Spirit, and being loved and accepted.
This has been especially important given my background, which is quite diverse and intense. In some mainstream churches, I’ve often felt looked at or judged. I remember one church where I shared a small part of my testimony, and instead of being encouraged, I was pushed out and shamed for speaking in front of the altar. Experiencing shame instead of grace was painful.
Being part of a home group, the Church of the Epiphany, and this community has been transformative. It’s a place where I can be without striving or performing, where we just love one another as best we can. That kind of authentic, accepting community has been invaluable in my growth as a believer.
Mo: I think one of the most important things the church can do to welcome and support people new to faith is to intentionally integrate them into community. It’s crucial to help people see the basics of Jesus – reading the Bible, understanding his teachings – but it’s equally important not to get stuck in structures or overcomplicating things. Sometimes people can get hung up on doctrines or formalities, when what they really need is to experience being together, supporting each other, and being accepted.
Here in Golden Bay, I’ve seen how helpful it is to create spaces for people who carry trauma or come from difficult backgrounds, giving them a place to belong without losing the simplicity of Jesus’ call to love. The Bible reminds us, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1), and “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8). These verses show that love and acceptance are foundational – more important than programmes, rules, or performance.
At the same time, it’s about balance: not leaving people exactly as they are, but helping them grow and letting the Spirit work through us, step by step. Relaxing into that process, rather than being held back by structures or committees, allows people to experience Jesus’ love in a tangible way.
Mo: I’m most excited about this next phase of my faith journey because of how much God has been working in me over the past intense period. He has been burning away layers of indulgence, old patterns, and self-imposed ways of living, purifying me deeply and quickly. Now, step by step, I’m beginning to get involved in leading others to Jesus and serving in the community. It feels like the beginning of a whole new phase, almost like a spring season of growth and fruitfulness.
Being in Golden Bay, I can see revival happening – both locally and more broadly in New Zealand. There’s a kind of “Jesus revolution” where spiritual seekers, who realise other paths aren’t satisfying, are being drawn back to him. I’m thrilled to be part of helping these people come to know God as a loving Father, while also deepening my own relationship with him in grace and kindness.
For the first time, I’m truly beginning to experience the easy yoke and the gentleness of Jesus, slowing down from my previous striving and intensity. I’m learning to enjoy serving, living in joy, and letting God use me in ways I never imagined. There’s a sense of anticipation and excitement for the journey ahead, as he continues to guide, transform, and involve me in his work.
Coming to Germany was very difficult – the treatment I received was hard to believe and far from gentle. At times I felt completely at the end of my strength and feared I might not survive, yet God has carried me through every step. As Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” My recovery so far feels nothing short of miraculous, and even the doctors have been amazed at how much awareness and responsiveness I’ve regained.
I’m now in Switzerland, continuing rehabilitation, leaning on prayer, faith, and the support of loving people. My birthday on Christmas Eve, turning 33, made this season especially meaningful. I feel a deep sense of God’s work in my life, like Job in the Bible – losing much, but trusting that he will restore and bless beyond what was lost. My deepest hope is to return to New Zealand, which has truly become my home, to be with my church family and community.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
“Pain drove me into an intense search for healing and meaning.” These are the words of 33-year-old Maurice “Mo” Neuwirth, originally from Germany. After a childhood of many health problems, Mo studied engineering and through a journey of depression, delved deep into New Age spirituality throughout the world - eventually leading him here to New Zealand, where he encountered Jesus in a powerful way. I hope you can be encouraged, as I was, by Mo’s story and learning something from a new Christian about how we can better welcome and support them in our churches.
Mo: I didn’t grow up deeply involved with Christianity. Being born on Christmas Eve, one of my few experiences of church was going once a year with my family, mostly at my grandmother’s insistence. I was very reluctant. I’m Protestant and even did a confirmation, but I didn’t really understand it – I mostly did it for the money! For a long time, I was an atheist and very skeptical.
As a German engineer, the idea that there was only one way to God, that Jesus was the only way, and that the Bible was the ultimate authority, seemed not only strange but almost laughable. I looked down on Christians and thought, “All these people are so blind, so naive.”
Everything changed when Jesus met me here in New Zealand. It was during the Earth Beat Festival, inside a tipi, while I was under the influence of San Pedro.
There were small moments, like one guy saying, “Stick to the Most High, bro”, which intuitively made sense to me: there had to be one Most High, one ultimate Spirit, the Holy Spirit. And then the worship singers came into the tipi, and the peace of God hit me in a way I had never experienced before. It was profound and undeniable and unlike anything I had ever felt in my life. Interestingly, one of those worship leaders is now a good friend and part of the team where I’m serving at the Church of the Epiphany. That moment was life-changing and marked the beginning of a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. Just two days later – on Easter Sunday, 31 March 31 2024 – I was baptised on Waiheke Island. At that point I didn’t even fully understand who he was or what he had done on the cross, but I knew I had met the living God.
Mo: What drew me to Jesus personally was the peace, love, and freedom I experienced at the Earth Beat Festival.
During the festival, I found myself in a shamanic role, having cooked and served the San Pedro cactus. I was overwhelmed, orchestrating the ceremony while receiving directions and instructions from many spirits. The chaos increased, and I reached a breaking point. In that moment, I cried out to God. He came, cutting the lines to the other spirits and bringing peace, clarity, and authority. It was profound and beautiful.
The next morning, the pull of the old ways began again. I micro-dosed a little of the remaining cactus medicine, and in my confusion, I added too much firewood around blankets, which ended up burning down one of the tipis. I went back to rest, and when I returned, I saw the chaos – a striking visual of the spiritual turmoil and imbalance around me.
Amidst this, I felt a clear conviction to sing Jesus songs in front of the tipi with the woman who had led the tribal village. It wasn’t just a thought – it was a tangible prompting from God. Afterward, I asked her about water baptism, and she mentioned a man who would later become my baptism leader. God clearly drew me to take this step. Two days later, on Easter Sunday, I was baptised on Waiheke Island.
This whole experience – overwhelming, chaotic, and yet full of unmistakable guidance – showed me that Jesus actively pursues us. He met me in my confusion and brokenness, offering peace and authority that I could not find on my own. That love drew me to him, and it continues to guide me every day as I live in Golden Bay, serve in the Church of the Epiphany, and prepare to study at Bible college next year in Nelson.
Mo: I see Jesus at work in my everyday life in absolutely profound ways. He started so gently with me, meeting me where I was. After my baptism, I began visiting a small home group led by the man who baptised me, staying with a Christian family, reading resources, listening to podcasts, and slowly immersing myself in the Bible. It felt like Jesus was “washing my brain”, clearing away lies, and gently purifying my attitudes, selfishness, and idols layer by layer.
He has been working on deep issues in my life, like addictions to cannabis, overeating, and other “band-aid” solutions I had relied on, while also helping me let go of my own ambitious plans for business and entrepreneurship. Instead, he’s guiding me into a slower, more intentional life here in Golden Bay, working in the Church of the Epiphany community, surrounded by the right people at the right times, supporting and encouraging me every step of the way.
Even though it’s not always easy – sometimes I struggle with striving or falling into legalism – Jesus’ work in me has been astonishingly thorough and gentle. I feel humbled and full of gratitude for what he is doing, and I’m excited to see how this community, much like the revival depicted in Jesus Revolution, is coming alive here in Golden Bay.
Mo: What has been most helpful for me as a new believer is the people and the community. Kirsty, a dear friend here, often says we need to “love people back”, and that has really stuck with me. It’s not about doctrines or teachings, but simply being present, seeing the work of the Holy Spirit, and being loved and accepted.
This has been especially important given my background, which is quite diverse and intense. In some mainstream churches, I’ve often felt looked at or judged. I remember one church where I shared a small part of my testimony, and instead of being encouraged, I was pushed out and shamed for speaking in front of the altar. Experiencing shame instead of grace was painful.
Being part of a home group, the Church of the Epiphany, and this community has been transformative. It’s a place where I can be without striving or performing, where we just love one another as best we can. That kind of authentic, accepting community has been invaluable in my growth as a believer.
Mo: I think one of the most important things the church can do to welcome and support people new to faith is to intentionally integrate them into community. It’s crucial to help people see the basics of Jesus – reading the Bible, understanding his teachings – but it’s equally important not to get stuck in structures or overcomplicating things. Sometimes people can get hung up on doctrines or formalities, when what they really need is to experience being together, supporting each other, and being accepted.
Here in Golden Bay, I’ve seen how helpful it is to create spaces for people who carry trauma or come from difficult backgrounds, giving them a place to belong without losing the simplicity of Jesus’ call to love. The Bible reminds us, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1), and “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8). These verses show that love and acceptance are foundational – more important than programmes, rules, or performance.
At the same time, it’s about balance: not leaving people exactly as they are, but helping them grow and letting the Spirit work through us, step by step. Relaxing into that process, rather than being held back by structures or committees, allows people to experience Jesus’ love in a tangible way.
Mo: I’m most excited about this next phase of my faith journey because of how much God has been working in me over the past intense period. He has been burning away layers of indulgence, old patterns, and self-imposed ways of living, purifying me deeply and quickly. Now, step by step, I’m beginning to get involved in leading others to Jesus and serving in the community. It feels like the beginning of a whole new phase, almost like a spring season of growth and fruitfulness.
Being in Golden Bay, I can see revival happening – both locally and more broadly in New Zealand. There’s a kind of “Jesus revolution” where spiritual seekers, who realise other paths aren’t satisfying, are being drawn back to him. I’m thrilled to be part of helping these people come to know God as a loving Father, while also deepening my own relationship with him in grace and kindness.
For the first time, I’m truly beginning to experience the easy yoke and the gentleness of Jesus, slowing down from my previous striving and intensity. I’m learning to enjoy serving, living in joy, and letting God use me in ways I never imagined. There’s a sense of anticipation and excitement for the journey ahead, as he continues to guide, transform, and involve me in his work.
Coming to Germany was very difficult – the treatment I received was hard to believe and far from gentle. At times I felt completely at the end of my strength and feared I might not survive, yet God has carried me through every step. As Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” My recovery so far feels nothing short of miraculous, and even the doctors have been amazed at how much awareness and responsiveness I’ve regained.
I’m now in Switzerland, continuing rehabilitation, leaning on prayer, faith, and the support of loving people. My birthday on Christmas Eve, turning 33, made this season especially meaningful. I feel a deep sense of God’s work in my life, like Job in the Bible – losing much, but trusting that he will restore and bless beyond what was lost. My deepest hope is to return to New Zealand, which has truly become my home, to be with my church family and community.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
