Annual Review 2019
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WHAKAPAPA ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 “There are many more unsung heroes, whose stories may A whakapapa of faith not be widely known, who in There are many things I love about have shaped the past and brought us to the student from the UK, was first invited to NZ different ways have given to the New Zealand—people, places, present. and visited on a short tour. In 1931, a group Lord’s work on campuses in NZ, of students published a gospel booklet to In this time of leadership change for TSCF, kai and culture. One of the most present to each of the 1,200 students at one who have prayed, encouraged, the idea of the whānau wall resonates with quintessentially Kiwi traditions that of the non-residential colleges. This led the me. Remembering and honouring the faith ventured boldly in witness and I have grown to love is the whānau executive of the Students’ Association to pass of those who have gone before is part of our a solemn resolution marking their disap- whom God has used to build his wall. All across Aotearoa, from Cape Christian heritage. In Hebrews 11 and 12, proval of the distribution of “religious liter- church here in Aotearoa.“ Reinga to Bluff, in houses, hallways, the writer reminds us of our whakapapa of ature of a sectarian bias.” In 1932, a mission faith, the heroes of faith. We’re told of men marae and churches, walls have week in a local church led to students and women who lived by faith and acted in Graham Miller as its first Travelling Secretary, been given over to photographs coming to trust Christ, which then led to response to this. We read of faith in sacrifice, working with a wide range of churches and a prayer and study group developing, and honouring the memory of those in fear, in obedience and vision, faith in church leaders to grow an inter-denomina- then a weekend house party, followed by who have gone before. testing and in blessing, in living and in dying. tional student witness. outreach meetings in the student common These photos bear the faces of people As I start out as National Director, I am very room. During the 1940s, the student groups showed whose story and significance live on. In conscious of the many heroes of faith who a pattern of “steady though unspectacular In the early days, the work was encouraged black and white and in colour, they are a have gone before. Our whānau wall would An Inter-Varsity Fellowship student conference in 1937. growth,” Stuart Lange writes, but “more impor- and supported by an Australian, Stacey constant reminder of the generation of be replete with faces of friends from across tantly, the IVF was now producing a steady Woods. But it was John Laird, William Orange men and women whose lives and influence the generations, whose stories may not Unions, exemplifying faith as “confidence in campuses of New Zealand. This led to the stream of young evangelical leaders.” In 1952, and Graham Miller who led the way in evan- have hit our national headlines but whose what they hoped for and assurance in what development of student-led groups and, Howard Guinness returned and led a mission gelism and discipleship of students in groups faithfulness and exploits are part of our in 1936, the NZ Inter-Varsity Fellowship. for students at Canterbury University, which across NZ. Bible study and prayer were at the they did not see.” whakapapa and are inspirational for us today. Trans-denominational friendships fostered attracted 1,900 students. Later that decade, heart of their vision. Young men and women Ben Carswell From the outset, their primary purpose was a growing sense of evangelical unity. In John Stott visited and spoke at mission weeks In 1930 Howard Guinness, a young medical joined together to form the Evangelical National Director to proclaim the good news of Jesus on the 1938, the Inter-Varsity Fellowship appointed on campus. 2 3 “For many, the Christian heritage fruit of intentional investment in student witness, discipleship and leadership. and influence of their forebears “We bear the torch that flaming As I look back on our whānau wall, I rejoice Fell from the hands of those is long gone. They know little of at those who have gone before—Guinness, Who gave their lives proclaiming the God who made them, who Laird, Orange and Miller. More recently, the loves them, who came to die for faithful heroes have included Malcolm, Ang That Jesus died and rose How Kheng, McIntosh, Saunders, Fountain, Ours is the same commission them and who longs for them to Yee, Becroft, Goold and Pollock. But these trust him.” are just a few. There are many more unsung The same glad message ours heroes, whose stories may not be widely Fired by the same ambition By the 1960s, student groups had grown and known, who in different ways have given had become what Stuart Lange describes to the Lord’s work on campuses in NZ, who To Thee we yield our powers.” as “a network of people shaping people.” In have prayed, encouraged, ventured boldly in his brilliant work A Rising Tide, he writes, witness and whom God has used to build his From the hymn “Facing a Task Unfinished” “Through conferences, correspondence and church here in Aotearoa. by Frank Houghton personal contacts, younger leaders in the Students and staff in 1984. Each has contributed to growing the work movement were constantly being influenced of student witness across NZ. They have by IVF staff and older leaders. There was an into the workplace. Many from that era have as leaders and interns, who now are shaping developed us as a movement that seeks unending process of evangelical beliefs, We have a new generation of students to call students to repentance and to a life found increasing opportunities for influence a new generation. to emphasise and mature the Christian values and behaviours being modelled and arriving on campuses across NZ. For many, submitted to the lordship of Jesus. in all areas of society, including education, mind, whose desire is to reconcile and unite transmitted to emerging generations of the Christian heritage and influence of their More recently, the work has grown through fragmented daily living under the lordship of As we enter a new period in TSCF’s history, evangelicals. ... the judiciary, government and public policy forebears is long gone. They know little of the leadership of former National Director Christ, and who seek to take and apply the our commitment and desire is the same as it and in various avenues of Christian ministry. the God who made them, who loves them, “For at least two decades into the postwar Nigel Pollock. Across the country, we have gospel to the whole world. ever was—to reach students for Christ and In the 1990s and early 2000s the numbers who came to die for them and who longs for era, IVF was a crucial and unifying element in regional teams with student groups in every change students for life. decreased, but student witness remained And so we arrive at the present day. Our them to trust him. Our challenge and calling the resurgent New Zealand evangelicalism.” university and several polytechs. and student leaders were developed. On our whānau wall is yet to be completed. We remains the same: to be witnesses of the Will you join us? Will you pray for us and In the 1970s and ’80s, a new generation of staff team today, it is a joy to have former Our student numbers have grown, the staff don’t remain stuck in the past. Our vision and good news of Jesus, proclaiming that “Christ support us? And will you be part of our Christian leaders were developed and sent TSCF students from that era who have served team has multiplied and we are seeing the call is not a new vision, but rather a fresh one. Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” whakapapa of faith? 4 5 “Does there have to be a split between living “Comprehending a God so holy and as part of God’s kingdom and the work God The faces of Auckland calls us to do? What if that work is being a a gospel so amazing can only lead lawyer? Exploring these questions The most recent people on where we looked at the very nature of God. those around us about Christianity, helping is one of the things that Veritas to a change in heart and life.” aims to do, so we can live Auckland’s whānau wall are the Comprehending a God so holy us to be true witnesses.” and a gospel so amazing can undivided lives for the gospel. – Mark Huang, OCF – Emily Scopes, University of Auckland Christian student leaders of groups in 2018, only lead to a change in heart Union “Fortunately, we have a whole men and women of vision who said and life, which is why we team to learn from. By meeting “Starting AUT in 2018, I was hoping to grow “no” to self and lived for Christ’s sake rounded off the semester with up with the New Zealand Christian Lawyers closer to God while I was at university. as they served the TSCF groups on a six-week series on Christian Network for early morning breakfasts, and Joining AUTCF helped me with this and living. From considering topics like their conference last year, we were able their campuses. A small sample of greatly encouraged me by reminding me the reliability of Scripture, ministry in the to ask difficult questions and be inspired that there were other Christians them follow, sharing snapshots of workplace, how we pray, and how we praise, by what they have to say.