AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for New Zealand - Aotearoa - Pacific

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)

Home > Sep 16: New Zealand

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Sep 16: New Zealand

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New Zealand

Aotearoa

Pacific

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 267,515 sq km
Two mountainous main islands 1,600 km southeast of Australia.
Population: 4,303,457    Annual Growth: 0.92%
Capital: Wellington
Urbanites: 86.8%
HDI Rank: 20 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 62 (8% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: English, Maori. Samoan widely spoken    Languages: 22 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	2,289,439	53.20	-0.8
Evangelicals	784,015	18.2	0.5

Prayercast

Challenges for Prayer

Christian division is a threat. There are tensions in many denominations over a variety of issues, and cooperation among denominations has declined. Some tension exists among Pentecostal churches. The activity of some churches in politics is criticized by others. New Zealand Christian Network (formerly Vision Network) is a national body linking denominations and agencies that represent the majority of New Zealand’s Christians. Pray God’s wisdom for this group in what is a vital ministry for the health of the Church and its testimony to non-believers.
Young people are deeply affected by the strong secular emphasis of the state education system, and relatively few are active Christians. Pray for the ministry of SU in secondary schools; TSCF (IFES) and Tandem Ministries (CCCI) in universities are important. The Churches Education Commission is the national body aiming to share God’s love with all schoolchildren. TSCF has a specific ministry to the increasing numbers of international students. A popular Christian music festival, Parachute, has a large following. In a nation of sports lovers, there are some fine Christian sportsmen and women and active ministry by groups like Athletes in Action. Despite increasing biblical illiteracy and spiritual apathy, many young people are spiritually open, and a youth church movement is gaining traction. Effective new ways of introducing them to Jesus are required.
     For an additional 5 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of New Zealand.