Kākano: sowing the seeds of God's local mission

a group of people eating together at a long table

Last Sunday evening saw 18 people gathered at the Deanery in Nelson for a delicious meal around a very long table to launch the pilot of the Kākano Local Mission Incubator for 2023. Kākano is a 9-month journey to form, equip and empower mission-minded leaders to intentionally explore discipleship, mission, calling and what it means to "gather the ungathered". 

Kākano translates as "seed" in te reo Māori, and conveys a sense of growth, development, and expansion. Like the mustard seed Jesus spoke of in the gospels - even before a seed is planted or nourished, it has inherent promise, and the capability to take root, develop and grow. And it's this ‘missional seed’ within each of us that Kākano is seeking to call forth into God's work in our world.

Paul Milson and myself are helping to lead this year's Kākano cohort, which includes parishioners from All Saints, Victory, Stoke, Waimea, Wakefield, and Mapua - along with a number of people from local non-Anglican churches as well. 

"It was a really exciting night," says Paul.

"It's clear that there's a deep passion and desire to learn how to better share our faith, and to be more intentional about sharing the Good News of Jesus in word, sign and deed. The quality of the people who have committed to the year ahead is pretty mind blowing."

"Joining the Kākano group was a no-brainer for me," says Alison Mountfort, who oversees the Loaves and Fishes ministry at All Saints and has an interest in developing a missional table community. "Last night's dinner was an exciting meet-up with 17 others whose hearts are tuned toward local mission."

Another person on the journey is Marzi van der Mark from Victory Parish. "Having our first Kākano was a blast. Meeting and mingling with everyone was a great way to kick off this journey, and it was great to be surrounded by people who are passionate about 'gathering the ungathered' as much as I am," she shares.

"I'm looking forward to being encouraged and to encourage others, to hear their wisdom and to share mine, to learn together... and see God move!" 

The hope is that by gathering a group of people like Alison and Marzi, that together we'll learn how to better engage our neighbours with the good news, and form disciples who make disciples. 

Kākano runs until the end of November, and includes gathering for occasional shared meals, three weekend retreats at Mamaku Grove in Golden Bay, and weekly discipleship small groups.

If you'd like to know more about what we're doing, reach out to me!

Check out other articles in the

series below.

More articles in the

series are to come.

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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.

Kākano: sowing the seeds of God's local mission

Spanky Moore

Pioneering Ministry

Joshua "Spanky" Moore oversees the equipping and encouraging of leaders who feel called to "gather the ungathered" or want to start something new.

Kākano: sowing the seeds of God's local mission

Spanky Moore

Pioneering Ministry

Joshua "Spanky" Moore oversees the equipping and encouraging of leaders who feel called to "gather the ungathered" or want to start something new.

Kākano: sowing the seeds of God's local mission

a group of people eating together at a long table

Last Sunday evening saw 18 people gathered at the Deanery in Nelson for a delicious meal around a very long table to launch the pilot of the Kākano Local Mission Incubator for 2023. Kākano is a 9-month journey to form, equip and empower mission-minded leaders to intentionally explore discipleship, mission, calling and what it means to "gather the ungathered". 

Kākano translates as "seed" in te reo Māori, and conveys a sense of growth, development, and expansion. Like the mustard seed Jesus spoke of in the gospels - even before a seed is planted or nourished, it has inherent promise, and the capability to take root, develop and grow. And it's this ‘missional seed’ within each of us that Kākano is seeking to call forth into God's work in our world.

Paul Milson and myself are helping to lead this year's Kākano cohort, which includes parishioners from All Saints, Victory, Stoke, Waimea, Wakefield, and Mapua - along with a number of people from local non-Anglican churches as well. 

"It was a really exciting night," says Paul.

"It's clear that there's a deep passion and desire to learn how to better share our faith, and to be more intentional about sharing the Good News of Jesus in word, sign and deed. The quality of the people who have committed to the year ahead is pretty mind blowing."

"Joining the Kākano group was a no-brainer for me," says Alison Mountfort, who oversees the Loaves and Fishes ministry at All Saints and has an interest in developing a missional table community. "Last night's dinner was an exciting meet-up with 17 others whose hearts are tuned toward local mission."

Another person on the journey is Marzi van der Mark from Victory Parish. "Having our first Kākano was a blast. Meeting and mingling with everyone was a great way to kick off this journey, and it was great to be surrounded by people who are passionate about 'gathering the ungathered' as much as I am," she shares.

"I'm looking forward to being encouraged and to encourage others, to hear their wisdom and to share mine, to learn together... and see God move!" 

The hope is that by gathering a group of people like Alison and Marzi, that together we'll learn how to better engage our neighbours with the good news, and form disciples who make disciples. 

Kākano runs until the end of November, and includes gathering for occasional shared meals, three weekend retreats at Mamaku Grove in Golden Bay, and weekly discipleship small groups.

If you'd like to know more about what we're doing, reach out to me!

Check out other articles in the

series below.

More articles in the

series are to come.