Auckland Normal Intermediate (1992-1997)
New things
A new location was found and we moved at the end of January 1992 to the
Normal Intermediate Hall. Almost immediately the numbers increased. When
we first moved we could not believe we would ever fill the hall. There
were several other significant events and strategy changes that occurred
at about this time, which also saw numbers, increase. Brent made a special
commitment to the development of youth not only in Encounter but also
to the nation with Breakthrough Camps at Queen's birthday weekend for
example. The youth group grew very quickly. In the year or so leading
up to the change in location there was a move towards "seeker services".
This did a lot to get many people involved in the "Sunday Ministry"
of the church with opportunities in drama, dance and music in both the
adult and youth groups. Involving people in the ministry of the church
always attracts people.
Leadership
I believe every phase of development brings new challenges and changes
to leadership. On the negative side a painful episode occurred when John
and Val Coyle left, as did a few others in leadership. Not everyone left
for the same reason but in terms of our history this was significant change.
On the positive side there was the induction of Andrew and Elizabeth Warren
as pastors.
Children's Work
Also with the move to Auckland Intermediate the children's church also
took on a new emphasis under the leadership of John Cameron. This also
attracted a few families and impacted the lives of the children with the
Gospel. The type of program and the philosophy of Children's church set
in place here still continues, though under different leadership.
Holy Spirit Ministry
But perhaps the most significant event of these years was the Break Through
camp of 1993 and the move of the Spirit that forever changed the ministry
of the church. Perhaps not so related to the Spirit's move but certainly
connected was the new wave of song writing to the point that within a
very short period all the songs sung in our services were original.
Sorrow
Significant and sad were the deaths of Tim Chamberlain, Peter Plummer
and Lindsay Christie. The significance of these events can not be measured
in human terms. Tim's was a real shock that hit the youth like nothing
can describe. I would say that it was and still is in the lives of many,
a motivating factor in their service to the Lord.
Peter was not so well known. He had not visited us recently so only a handful of the oldies could remember him. To me his passing was like a reminder that we were entering a new era. That he and Lindsay should pass into eternity so close together was noted by many.
Lindsay had visited and preached at Encounter more recently and was a little better known. Janet his daughter was a casual visitor to Encounter at that time. The significance for me was again in the prophetic realm. Lindsay when he left for the mission field was typical of the Wayside mission. The changes at the Wayside saw him and his family move their church allegiance to another church. But on the mission field they met with the Holy Spirit and their Pentecostal experience isolated them from their local Missionary organisation. It made life difficult, and they lost touch with many of their original supporters. On his last visit to New Zealand, Encounter went out of its way to make him and Dennis welcome. We became for them a home church. His messages and our opportunity to help them I believe made them a part of us.
But they had maintained lifetime friendships with many through the years. The mix of these friendships at the memorial service was quite unique. There were three groups represented there, like three generations. There was the old Wayside, who looked like conservative evangelicals. There were WEC friends (and here I would include some of their Presbyterian friends) who were younger evangelicals. Then the third group, Encounter friends, who were younger again and Pentecostal.
I believe Lindsay had walked with God and had come into new things as he faithfully served his Master and every day found new things in God. In that room came a challenge, "will you walk with me in this day and allow me to do new things? Or will you become entrenched in a tradition and simply grow old?"