Greetings from New Zealand. What a year it has been! God has been so good. We are happy to report that 2024 has been our best year yet for receiving new church members since I became pastor in 2007. God has been so good to bring in people who are eager to serve and learn.

Church Growth

Twelve months ago, I was the only person able to do any preaching in the church. It had been that way largely for ten years. Now there are two other capable men; a third is in training and will be preaching his second sermon soon. I cannot tell you how much of a relief this is, and it is a blessing training and working with these men. It has been incredible to see how God has brought very specific people in to fill needs in our congregation. God knows what He is doing—how about that?!

New Zealand Baptist Bible Training Programme

We were blessed to have the students from the New Zealand Baptist Bible Training Programme visit with us for a second week this year. I taught my class on World Religions and Cults. The students have a great and infectious spirit. It was a good week for our church family and for myself personally. It is a blessing to invest in young people. Next year, I will be taking on another class and teaching through the Poetic Books.

Church Building

Thank you all for your pledges to try and assist us in buying the building here in Wanganui. It was an exciting moment and opportunity that we jumped at, and you all came to our aid wonderfully. It gave me great hope that we might be able to accomplish the goal of buying a building. As of now, it does not seem that it is the Lord’s will for us to buy this one. The current owner is wanting more than twice what is worth to us. Unless there is some drastic change in his mindset, we will not be buying this building. Prayer can still change things, though, so please keep praying.

Prayer Requests

Evangelism – One of the great blessings is how engaged new members are in sharing the Gospel. Please be praying that we can see some reaping as we continue to faithfully sow.

Next Step – We have several young people who are hovering at critical decision points. Please be praying for them to make the right decisions at these junctures. For some it is baptism, for others it is faithfulness into adulthood, and for others it is salvation.

Health – Abby was recently diagnosed with scoliosis. The appointment yesterday determined that it probably won’t get worse, but is also not likely to be able to be made better. We will do what we can, but please pray that it does not get worse. Beth is close to having some answers as to her health issues. We are praying that they will be answers with solutions. Zack has had issues with his eyes. We are praying that the myopia does not get worse as quickly as it has been. Hopefully, the special (and expensive) new glasses he has will help like the doctors said they should.

In Christ’s love,

Nick, Beth, Abby, and Zack Watt