The Northern Baptist Association has 98 faith communities, the furthest north is in Doubtless Bay, and the furthest south is in Waiuku. This Association includes the country’s most populated city, with 70 faith communities in the greater Auckland area.
The network of six Baptist Associations throughout New Zealand connects local churches with other local churches in their region.
Associations utilise the experience and expertise of both pastoral and other leaders to inspire, resource and encourage in order to help each local church bring gospel renewal to people and places in their own local contexts.
Northern news, stories and media
Support our public servants
Our public servants work hard for us behind the scenes. Let’s support them with prayer.
Pondering: About place – a reflection on living intentionally without walls
How living intentionally and in a specific place is transforming us, a bit about the fragmentation of private land and walls, and what some of…
Getting to know…Casey Clark
Casey oversees intermediates ministry at Manukau City Baptist Church and is the new Director for eCamp!
Mission trip to Easter Camp
How a suburban church served one of the most significant events on the New Zealand Baptist calendar.
Reflections of a Children and Families Pastor
Looking back on 24 years of ministry, Glenis shares what she's learned.
Update: The sale of our college
We can now confirm that the campus and offices at 473 and 475 Great South Road have been sold. More on the history of our…
Dreaming of a slave-free Christmas?
Slave labour is in the supply chains of lots of Christmas treats. Here’s some tips to avoid high risk festive food.
Empowering children during divorce and separation
“If we want to prepare them for their future, we need to help them adequately process their present reality”.
Pondering: The historical context for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
This opinion piece provides some historical context and views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as some resources.
Pondering: A response to ‘Governance of our tribe’
“Using a bird sanctuary as a metaphor for the church, I can’t help but feel there is still a pecking order for access at our…
Pondering: Why few women are senior pastors in Baptist churches
“As sole pastor, for over a decade now… I have faced challenges. Some challenges are unique to our specific location, some due to being single…
Prophetic art workshop
Some of the crew at Lifepoint Baptist Church unleash their creative side at a prophetic art workshop run by Grace Bailey.
Becoming one
What could associating with the international congregations that rent our church buildings look like?
My supervision experience
“We do not learn from experience. We learn by reflecting on experience.”
Empowered to be compassionate consumers
A new short 2-hour course called Compassionate Consumerism looks at human slavery and its history, Bible teaching on the topic, and practical exercises to help…
Update: The next property in our college’s unfolding story
Our college site in Penrose is no longer suited to our future training and formation needs. The site is for sale and we are seeking…
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award celebrates 60 years in New Zealand
Hear David’s story of persistence and achievement, Christian community support, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award – all alongside living with dyspraxia.
Pondering: Women can’t be pastors?
The decision to not let women be pastors is settling for less when we were made for so much more. Christa McKirland reflects on the…
Getting to know… Blue Bradley
In this edition we are getting to know Blue Bradley, who is many things including Director of Northern Easter Camp, and an elected member of…
Pondering: Governance of our tribe
"In my opinion, our Assembly Council must have the diversity ‘around the table’ that reflects the future we strive to imagine for the Baptist ‘tribe’…
You gotta see this!
The Way of the Raukura landed on the harmony of people of every race standing together in such a way that we did stand together…
Getting to know…Shelley Motu’āpuaka
This week we are getting to know Shelley Motu'āpuaka, Chair of the Northern Baptist Association and recently called Sole Pastor at Whangārei Baptist Church.
The Way of the Raukura – A Parihaka Musical
This must-see musical takes the stage at Auckland's Bruce Mason Centre from May 18-21! Here's how it came about...
Fundraising update – Northern flood relief
How much have we raised, where has it gone, and how can those impacted access the Northern Flood/Cyclone Response Fund?
A slave-free Easter
Lovers of chocolate (or not), here’s a great Easter activity for your faith communities to raise awareness around slave labour and share slave-free chocolate eggs…
Eastview Electronic Junk Project steps in
A Community Service Day doesn't go to plan...
Getting to know…Chris Bullen
This week we are getting to know Chris Bullen, Professor of Public Health at the University of Auckland, from Royal Oak Baptist Church.
Getting to know…Kathryn Heslop
This week we are getting to know Kathryn Heslop, Executive Advisor and managing Strategic Projects on the Baptist National Leadership Team.
Prayer update: Auckland floods and extreme weather event
An update for prayer on the Auckland flooding and Baptist churches from the Northern Baptist Association Regional Leader. Please pray in your Sunday gatherings this…
Auckland Severe Weather and Floods
The Northern Baptist Association are working to assist our Auckland churches. Several had property flooded by Friday’s extreme weather event. Please pray and support as…
Getting to know…Kelly Enright
In this column, we discover more about our Baptist whānau, meeting someone in our team of 40,000 each post. This week we are getting to…
Partnering in ministry across the motu
An update from the Northern Baptist Association for 2022.
Te Atatū Baptist: Demonstrating love
Debbie Spackman, Pastor at Te Atatū Baptist Church, shares how her church switched from floating to engaging in their local Santa Parade.
Eastview Eco Group pitches in
Nicola Mountfort, the Interim Associate Pastor at Eastview Baptist Church in Auckland, tells us about the newly-formed Eastview Eco Group. Members as young as 11…
Celebrating Baptists flying high on the world stage
Join with us as we celebrate two New Zealand Baptist scholars who have recently made big achievements on the world academic stage.
Getting to know…Christa McKirland
This week we are getting to know Christa McKirland, Lecturer in Systematic Theology at Carey Baptist College.
What makes me weep: The 1 in 4
What makes you weep? Melissa Wilson, Senior Pastor at Beachlands Baptist Community Church, shares her response.
Te Atatῡ Baptist Church might be small, but God is using it for big things
Debbie Spackman, Pastor at Te Atatῡ Baptist Church, shares with us the realised gospel renewal potential of an empty car park.
Woman of the month: Reti Ah-Voa
Reti Ah-Voa has worked as human resources manager for a Middle East international mission agency, studied and guided students at Carey Baptist College, and is…
Getting to know…Charles Hewlett
‘Getting to know...’ is a new column where we discover more about our Baptist whānau, meeting someone in our team of 40,000 in each post.
Manurewa Baptist celebrates Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori
Hear how Manurewa Baptist opened Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori in their church service.
Good news from Mount Albert Baptist Church
See what happens when one person gets intentional about making connections in their community. Who do we have on the fringes of our church community…
Connect Baptist Church brings gospel renewal to their neighbourhood.
Julie Osborn, pastor at Connect Baptist Church in Manukau, shares how Connect Baptist's community working bee sparks relationships in their neighbourhood.
Op Shop Encounter
The Doubtless Bay Christian Centre’s Op Shop Encounter project is fully operational after a four-year journey that began with prayer.
Updraft: Embracing change
Column by Rick Pierce reproduced from the Northern Baptist Association ‘Northern Lights’ e-newsletter.
Heart and housing in Whangārei
“Here we are, all Baptists, finding a way to help needy people in Aotearoa…” through property ownership, management, and wrap-around care.
How two sponsored children met, fell in love and moved to New Zealand
Danny and Joyce are part of Eastgate Christian Centre. They were both sponsor children in the Philippines and are now both living in Auckland. Hear…
Change-makers
Dave Tims, Director of UNOH New Zealand, shares how transformation begins with focusing on the people around us. Meeting the needs in our communities doesn’t…
Blood is life
We celebrate with Graeme Woodfield, a member of Orakei Baptist Church, for being recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours this year for his service to…
Glen Eden and Visionwest Waka Whakakitenga
Visionwest Community Housing addresses the issue of homeless in New Zealand by providing safe, warm, and quality, rental accommodation for low-income families who cannot access…
Red-orange-green light: a pastor, a church and unity in Christ
Tim Palmer, Senior Pastor, Franklin Baptist Church shares his journey in a local church as they seek to navigate the vaccination discussion, as they listen…
Local church made a cheesy Covid safety video (And we love it!)
Pastor Albert Tang at Pakuranga Chinese Baptist Church mentioned on social media: “Just sharing the video we produced for information and clarification for returning to…
Emerging from a lockdown response to a global pandemic
Rick Pierce, works for the Northern Baptist Association as a Network Pastor, Health & Development. Here he shares some ways local churches can respond as we…
Ormiston Community Baptist Church ladies celebrate the 2021 Day of Prayer
In theme, Marguerite Carter spoke to us about ‘Courage’, Poh took us through the 4 projects we fundraise for this year and we prayed for…
Carey unveils new look
Carey Baptist College launched its new branding on 2 November 2021. As Principal John Tucker explains, the new look is a reflection of its values…
Cross-shaped unity for church through the COVID-19 Protection Framework
Since the Government’s announcement about the COVID-19 Protection Framework, my mind, like that of many pastors, has been occupied by what this will mean for…
666 and the COVID-19 pandemic
A Baptist pastor asked last week if we would provide something on why the COVID-19 vaccine should not be considered the ‘Mark of the Beast’. Our very own retired Carey Baptist…
The future of ministry and mission—Christine Saywell
What is God saying to you and to others? What will future ministry and mission look like? What things need to remain the same? What…
The future of ministry and mission—Dave Tims
What is God saying to you and to others? What will future ministry and mission look like? What things need to remain the same? What…
The future of ministry and mission—Cliff Thompson
What is God saying to you and to others? What will future ministry and mission look like? What things need to remain the same? What…
The future of ministry and mission—Grant Harris
What is God saying to you and to others? What will future ministry and mission look like? What things need to remain the same? What…
Baptist churches sharing lockdown resources
With Aotearoa New Zealand in COVID-19 lockdowns again, one of our Regional Leaders, Reti Ah-Voa was quick to seek Sunday online gathering resources from within…
Lockdown from the perspective of a working Mum
This story was first shared in April 2020.
Gospel Stories—Simon Currie
Part of Lifepoint’s vision statement is that we would be an authentic family sharing God’s love. One of our members befriended a work colleague who…
Gospel Stories—Santhosh George
Santhosh shares how the church can be more than a place of generosity but can also inspire generosity in communities.
Iosis appoints Māori development leader
Iosis recently appointed its first Māori development leader. Teina Mita, formerly the Iosis counselling and men’s development team leader, took up the new role on…
Gospel Stories—Jay Win Meads
December 2020 saw Robyn being baptised in our church...Her faith journey was not an easy one...
A story of pātaka kai
Something that COVID-19 brought to our attention were the kai needs (food insecurity) of people in our neighbourhood. New Zealand has 1:5 children living in…
Sizzling sausages for Jesus
While some spent the last hours of 2020 winding down, Paihia Baptist Church volunteers were busy cooking 18kgs of onions and buttering 25 loaves of bread.…
Getting COVID creative
Many churches hold Light Parties or other Halloween alternative events on or around the 31st October. In Auckland, with memories of a second lockdown still…
Visionwest’s 30 years of service
Visionwest Community Trust recently celebrated 30 years of community service with a VIP morning tea and book launch, held in the Glen Eden Baptist Church…
Becoming a Punua Pākehā
At Hui 2019, John Catmur was awarded the Lionel Stewart scholarship. He planned to use the scholarship for advanced studies in te reo Māori and…
The challenge to do something
The current economic climate presents churches, particularly those with active community trusts, with amazing opportunities to speak into the social concerns facing New Zealand today. I’ve…
Kingdom come
Each time we say the Lord’s Prayer, we ask for God’s Kingdom to come. This is not just a prayer of hope for the future,…
Meet Bronwyn Owens—community patroller
Bronwyn Owens is the children and families pastor at Kumeu Baptist Church. She is also a volunteer for Nor-West Community Patrol. This is her story.
God + families + outdoors = adventure
One Sunday morning each school term, Eastview Baptist Church does not schedule any Kids’ Club or Sunday School. Instead the children in primary and intermediate…
COVID-19 & lessons learned about food insecurity
The COVID-19 crisis has seen an unprecedented demand on food banks throughout New Zealand. That’s led VisionWest Community Trust, part of Glen Eden Baptist Church,…
Belmont Baptist feeling blessed
John Peachey shares how MMM New Zealand, a unique ministry of skilled professionals, helped restore Belmont Baptist's rental villa.
Breaking down walls
Amy Williams explains why the Mt Albert Baptist Church camp was resurrected and how it helped a congregation of more than 30 ethnicities come together…
Orewa Baptist celebrates new facilities
On 19th to 20th October 2019, Orewa Baptist Church held its ‘Dedication and Celebration Weekend’ at their renovated facilities located at 2-8 Loop Rd, Orewa.
Investments bring significant ministry returns
Three Northland projects that received grants from the Baptist Foundation have demonstrated the principle of wise investment and the big difference it can make for…
Worship 7:9
On Saturday 7th September 2019, more than 300 people gathered to celebrate the diversity of cultures and identity that make up the Northern Baptist Association…
Knit two together
Myrle Bunn and Grant Harris write about the unique collaboration between two Auckland churches, for ministry and mission on Waiheke Island.
Stop the hurting
Grant Harris talks about the journey of dealing with pain and the scars left from a history of racism in our world. What can the…
More than just a toy story
Franklin Community Toy Library has been serving the Pukekohe, South Auckland, community for more than 20 years. Toy Librarian Amanda Bailey shares how this neighbourhood…
Celebrating Māori achievement
Carey Baptist College celebrates the record-breaking 92% pass rate of Māori students. One is the first Māori student to complete a Master of Applied Theology…
Te Whare Oranga
Learn more about Carey Baptist College's bicultural journey and plans or a new centre for Māori learning, to be called Te Whare Oranga.
Meet Marina Young—founder of Buttons Project
Marina Young and her husband attend Doubtless Bay Christian Centre. Marina is the founder of Buttons Project, which helps bring awareness to the effects of…
Church in Action
Grant Pollock, Growth Group Leader at Glenfield Baptist Church, shares how his church turns sermons into actions...
Producing profound change
Almost 20 Baptist trusts provide some form of social housing or emergency accommodation in New Zealand. CORT Community Housing, whose roots lie in Ponsonby Baptist…
Our Regional Associations
Baptists have used the word ‘association’ for a long time, because local churches want to associate with each other: we are better together!
Each Regional Association has a board or executive elected by the collective of associating churches in each region. Each Association has a Regional Leader who is responsible for supporting and resourcing local churches. The Board or Executive and the Regional Leader work together to facilitate the encouragement and resourcing of churches. The Regional Leader meets regularly with the National Leader and other Regional Leaders.
