http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.gc3.org.nz en-us Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:29:33 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/post/165531/a-family-shaped-by-mission/ Earlier this year, Michael Hanson had the opportunity to speak at Hope Community Church in Nelson and reflect on the rich missionary heritage connected to the region. As he shared stories of men and women sent out from Nelson to serve across the world, one family in particular stood out : the Shirtliff family. In 1898, five missionaries left New Zealand for Malaya. Four of them were single women. One of those women was Sarah Shirtliff from Nelson. Few coul... Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:25 +1200 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/#post165531 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/post/162079/adding-value-well-a-long-term-missionarys-perspective-on-short-term-teams/ Short-term missions can be powerful; however, as people may know, they can also be complicated. Craig and Nay Greenfield have spent 25 years hosting short-term teams while building Shalom Valley and working alongside Cambodian leaders. From Craig’s perspective, as someone on the receiving end of short-term mission teams, the difference between helpful and unhelpful short-term involvement rarely comes down to enthusiasm or good intentions from those being sent. “... Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/#post162079 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/post/162057/wanting-to-serve-well-lessons-from-a-short-term-mission-project-in-vanuatu/ Earlier this year, Marina Shannon and a team from Orewa Community Church travelled to Vanuatu to run the children’s and teens’ programme at the SIL Bible Translators annual conference.For SIL families serving across remote and scattered islands, this gathering is one of the few guaranteed times each year for them to gather together. For their children, it provides rare peer connection and focused learning within a community that understands their context. Of course, ... Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:07:38 +1300 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/#post162057 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/post/160511/practical-partnering--church-family-with-mission-partners/ ... Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:38:28 +1300 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/#post160511 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/post/160561/called-to-serve-70-years-of-faithful-service/ In The Treasury of August 1956, Phyllis Treasure’s name appears under the heading Overseas, briefly recording that she was commended by the assemblies at Armagh Street, Quinn’s Road, Christchurch and Robe Street, New Plymouth for overseas service in India. In true economical word count of that print era, information was limited.  There is no commentary on this lifetime commitment and its possible significance. The notice simply marks a s... Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/#post160561 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/post/158970/myanmar-earthquake-relief-2025-project-update/ Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar earlier last year, GC Aid was able to support local-led relief efforts in some of the most affected regions. This relief project has now concluded, and we are grateful to share a final update on how support was delivered and the impact it has had through trusted local partnerships. ... Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/#post158970 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/post/158505/a-visit-that-encouraged-the-whole-community/ When a sending church makes the effort to visit mission partners on the field, it brings a kind of encouragement that can’t be replicated from afar. Recently, Ben and Bekah (D PG Page 5) experienced this in a deeply meaningful way as a short-term team from The Street Church travelled to Bangkok to spend time with them and see their ministry first-hand. ... Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/#post158505 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/post/160941/up-from-downunder-a-motorcycle-18-countries-and-one-ambitious-goal/ At GC3, we often talk about “looking out” and seeing beyond our own lives to notice where God is at work in the world and choosing to join Him there. Sometimes that looks like prayer. Sometimes generosity. Sometimes stepping into someone else’s story, shoulder to shoulder, to help carry the load.Today we want to highlight a story that does exactly that.... Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/#post160941 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/post/155973/grace-in-the-ruins-sri-lankas-journey-of-hope/ This island nation of breathtaking beauty has endured deep pain — decades of civil conflict, tragic bombings, and ongoing political struggles. Yet even in the ashes, God is at work.About 8% of Sri Lankans identify as Christian, mostly Catholic, but the evangelical church is quietly growing. Believers are rising with courage and faith, choosing forgiveness over revenge, and shining the light of Christ where fear once ruled.Pray for Sri Lanka:That peace, tolerance, and compassion will take root ... Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:13:38 +1300 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/#post155973 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/post/155505/hidden-but-not-forgotten-believers-in-somalia/ Somalia — a nation of around 16 million people in East Africa — continues to face deep suffering. Decades of conflict have left its economy shattered and its people in desperate need. Many have died through violence, famine, and disease. Somalia has one of the world’s highest infant mortality rates, and countless others have fled their homeland seeking refuge and hope.In this overwhelmingly Islamic and clan-based society, following Jesus comes at a great cost. Believers face intense persec... Mon, 03 Nov 2025 11:02:23 +1300 http://www.gc3.org.nz/blog/#post155505