The McLains to New Zealand

The
McLains
th
to
New Zealand
4 Quarterly Prayer Letter
October – November – December 2014
Dear Praying Family and Friends,
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the McLains in New Zealand!
Wow, where do we begin with this quarterly report? In the past five months since our
return from the States, we have seen the Lord work in the hearts and lives of ourselves and the folks
in our church. In September we began praying for a revival in our church. We know revival must
first begin in our own hearts as we surrender our lives to the Lord. Folks in our church have reported
family members trusting the Lord as their Savior; we have had some believers baptized (or going to
be baptized) and join our church; and we are progressing in the process of merging our two churches
into one. We are also hearing testimonies of many answers to specific prayers. Below are more
details of what has been happening in our ministry here in New Zealand.
1) OCTOBER: a) Merging Of Churches – On the 12th, we had our first service merging our two
churches – Maranatha Baptist Church (MBC) and Landmark Independent Baptist Church (LIBC) at
the new location in South Auckland. Mike Rigney had the privilege of leading Alwyn Joseph, a
young Indian man visiting for the first time, to a saving knowledge of Christ. He had been looking
for answers to many questions about salvation. b) “New Location Celebration Sunday” - On the
19th, we had our largest attendance ever with 105 in the morning service. We had over 40 visitors!
We are still following up on decisions made that Sunday. c) Business Meetings and Paperwork –
Bob called upon all the government agencies he could to find instructions on how to merge two
charitable trusts. Both churches have major “technical” registration issues with the government that
need to be sorted out. This may be a first in the country of two churches merging together under the
new laws and regulations of the Charities Services which oversees all charitable trusts in the
country. So it may become a “test case” for the government agencies. The church has had an unusal
amount of business meetings to deal with the legal requirements needed to merge the two churches.
Pray for continued wisdom in our decisions.
2) NOVEMBER– a) Church Growth - Our church continued to have more first time visitors,
who report God led them to our church. It may sound strange, but that is exactly what they have
said and have given testimony to as to why they came to our church. b) Merger Progress – The
process for merging the two churches has had many complications and unexpected legal
implications. The government agencies cannot help Bob with “advice or instructions” on merging
the churches only how to “register” them. We sought the help and advice of the Christian lawyer
who helped LIBC with their legal work back in 2008. He can’t believe how complicated our
situation is for the two churches in merging, but looks forward to taking our case on and making it
work out to the glory of God. (What a great relief for Bob, as it really got to be too much for him to
handle all the legal matters involving the merger.) A word of praise: the lady at Inland Revenue
Department, who helped set up MBC back in 2008, is willing to help our lawyer from her agency’s
side of things. c) Ministry – Silia, a Samoan woman coming often to LIBC, made a salvation
decision on the 30th (along with several others who requested prayer concerning salvation).
Bob and Polly
McLain
FIELD ADDRESS:
PO Box 72-288 /
Papakura 2244
Auckland, NEW
ZEALAND
Phone: (64-9) 298-5001
E-mail Addresses: (New
Zealand)
[email protected] &
[email protected]
SKYPE COMPUTER
ADDRESS:
Yank-e-kiwi
HOME CHURCH:
Memorial Baptist Church
7007 Flora Road
Rockford, IL 61101
Phone: (815) 968-3232
Pastor: Terry Pergl
MISSION AGENCY:
Baptist World Mission
P.O. Box 2149
Decatur, AL 35602
Phone: (256) 353-2221
Fax: (256) 353-2266
E-mail:
office@baptistworldmissio
n.org
STATESIDE ADDRESS:
Bob McLain
1117 East 42nd Street
Anderson, Indiana 46013
NZ Church Website:
www.mbcaucklandnz.com
3) DECEMBER – a) Combining Memberships – December is “Merger Month.” All the
members of MBC are giving their testimonies to join (merge) into LIBC (building up the LIBC
membership as instructed by the lawyer). Then in January, we make constitutional changes and submit it, along with a name
change to Maranatha Baptist Church –Auckland, to the Charities Services. b) Spiritual Decisions – The blessings continue to
come as more decisions for salvation, baptism, and church membership are being made each week. Alwyn & Rachel will be
baptized on the 14th; and Aileen, Stacie, and Ye-Jin (three Korean sisters) will be presented to the church for baptism and
membership at our next business meeting.
4) PRAYER REQUESTS – a) Illness – For improvement in Bob’s persistent cough, sinuses, headaches, body aches and pains
(seems his age is beginning to show more). He still has limited smell and taste after 11 weeks, and his doctor is requesting some
more tests. b) Dr. Ron Brewer (Arizona) was able to attend church (weak and worn out), and with assistance, he baptized his
granddaughter. He is not doing well, but still hanging on to be with his family. Pray for his wife Kathie and family.
c) Ministry – For wisdom in gathering up all the needed paperwork for both churches for the lawyer. Also, that the Charities
Services will allow us to merge into one church, continuing to use the name: Maranatha Baptist Church, Auckland.
Your servants for souls in New Zealand,
Bob and Polly McLain