Nearly 75 Nazarene teens and leaders came together to attend the New Zealand District youth summer camp held 9-12 January 2023. It was the first district youth camp since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

District NYI President Mativa Lauina led worship and games, and Australia New Zealand Field NYI Coordinator Cameron Batkin helped lead a mental health workshop. Other activities included an annual talent show performance and many indoor games since it rained most of the week. The campers went hiking, kayaking, and water sliding when the rain relented.

“God knew what obstacles we were going to face, and by His grace, the damp weather didn’t dampen the spirits of our campers,” Mativa said. “Camp is such an important event for us, and after a break due to COVID-19, we had a very excited group who had been eagerly waiting for the opportunity to fellowship again.”

After several years of isolation, this year’s camp felt like a reunion. Unfortunately, one camper suffered a broken ankle during free time. When he returned from the hospital, the whole group cheered and created a tunnel for him to reenter.

“I have been to a lot of youth camps over the years, but the love, acceptance, and community found in New Zealand make the youth camp a real highlight of my year,” Batkin said.

Leaders from the New Zealand District and the Australia-New Zealand Field led daily morning and evening services. Tau Maiava, pastor of Seabrook Church of the Nazarene (New Lynn, NZ), preached twice; Nazarene Theological College Principal Rob Fringer led three services; and on the last day, ANZ Field Strategy Coordinator Roland Hearn spoke and led Communion. In the small group times that followed each service, it became clear that God was teaching, calling, and empowering New Zealand’s Nazarene youth.

“This was my second time speaking at the New Zealand Youth Camp, and both times I came away encouraged,” Fringer said. “We have a great group of teens and leaders here, and they are helping us to be a better church in the present. We can learn a lot from them about how to love, encourage, and support one another and have fun together.”

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific