Growing village church defies rural trends
by Lynley Smith of Challenge Weekly, New Zealand
March 21, 2007
AUCKLAND, NZ (ANS) -- An extension to the Bible Chapel at Manawaru, near Te Aroha, is evidence of a vibrant, growing Christian community in the small rural village.The Manawaru Bible Chapel is defying all rural trends, with a steadily growing congregation of about 100 people, a strong youth group and big Every Boys' and Every Girls' Rally groups.
Manawaru used to be a thriving country town with a dairy factory, shops, a baker and school. Now nothing remains except the school with a roll of 60 children.
"This church has thrived with the Lord's blessing," said elder Stuart Bay. "We do lose young people when they go off for tertiary training, but we are seeing growth as new people come to the community."
One reason for the growth was the church's determination to keep faithful to the Bible, and to live as a loving church community, the leaders believe.
"We really emphasise the two great commandments, to love God and to love our neighbours," he said. "We want to reflect the Christianity of the early Church."
The chapel's mission statement is simple: "To know, teach and share Jesus Christ as Lord."
The church has a local mission focus, with a strong contingent of Bible in Schools teachers and one the biggest Rally groups in the Waikato. The youth number 25 to 30, large for a country village.
"This flows through to our home groups and a strong Bible teaching church," said Mr Bay.
The Bay family have been stalwarts of the Manawaru chapel since Stuart's father, David, moved his family to the area in 1956. David Bay is now 83, a retired elder and a semi-retired farmer.
Others of note in the church history are Harold and Gwen Bowen, who farmed in the area in the 1950s and 1960s. They taught Sunday school and modelled a heart for overseas missions by giving each of their cows the name of a missionary. Each cow (missionary) was prayed for each milking time.
The chapel is 105 years old, but 40 years ago the buildings were replaced.
Howard Goold, of Putararu, spoke at the extension dedication, which was attended by about 160 former and present chapel members.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
