"Every now and again God places in your life someone who inspires you and encourages you through the practical outworking of their faith."

"For me, food and kids are two things that I enjoy, so it was a natural space for me to move into," says Becky.

We want our kids to be part of a church that is willing to lift them up, equip them and empower them. And sometimes that means we give up some of our power and preference to help them feel at home in our church whānau.

Throughout the year, these kids have been connecting in various ways, all with the aim of building a strong bond and nurturing their faith journey. And you know what? It's working!

A growing body of research affirms intergenerational connections as key to sustainable, long-term faith formation and discipleship. 

Often campers come to Bridge Valley hoping just to have a fun week of activities, but leave with an inspired faith and a fresh outlook on what following Jesus can look like.

“Sometimes I feel like a voice crying out in the wilderness. But I will keep at it until the Lord tells me to stop, so more children will hear the gospel.”

Here's a list of my favourite ideas to think about for your coming Easter gatherings and celebrations, to keep the message of Jesus message at the centre while you have fun with the whānau!

Every Sunday afternoon, St John’s opens its doors to the community to shine their light. This space is so warm and non-judgmental that it’s easy to see why the community responds to it so well.

The campers loved all of Bridge Valley's different activities, but most of all, they loved making new friends and learning about Jesus.