This Christmas, New Zealand churches focus on the bicentennial of the first Christian service held on New Zealand soil. On Christmas Day 1814, the Rev Samuel Marsden assembled with a few Europeans and several hundred Maori on the foreshore below Rangihoua Pain the Bay of Islands—on the beautiful site pictured on our cover.
Sailors visiting New Zealand had probably held services while moored here, and other missionaries had worshipped among themselves. But Marsden’s Christmas Day service was the fi rst provided specifi cally for New Zealand’s tangata whenua, obeying the command Jesus gave the first believers: ‘to go and make disciples of all nations … and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’ (Matthew 28:19–20).
I’m indebted to Graham Cameron for his perspective on the event we commemorate this year. Graham makes the point that it was Ngapuhi chief Ruatara who established the bridge over which Marsden passed. Ruatara was prepared to lay his own mana on the line so these Christians could tell the story of Jesus to Ruatara’s people. For us today, as we seek to make Jesus known, we need to look for ways to build bridges with others who can help us meet the challenges of fresh mission fields.
Our feature story is about Wi Pirihi. Like Ruatara, Wi is also from Ngapuhi. Outwardly successful, Wi’s life was empty until he let the story of Jesus sink into his life.
At the close of this year, I want to thank our wonderful readers for your support of War Cry. If you’d like to re-read any of the past year’s editions, we’re now publishing these online. Visit www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry and follow the link.
On behalf of the War Cry team, it’s our prayer that you enjoy a refreshing Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. If you have the opportunity, please come and worship at The Salvation Army. We’d love to celebrate Jesus with you!
Christina Tyson
Editor
Luke 2:10–11 The Message
‘ THe angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Saviour has just been born in David’s town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master.” ’
Ruka 2:10–11
‘Na ka mea te anahera ki a ratou, Kaua e mataku: ta te mea he kaikauwhau tenei ahau ki a koutou mo te hari nui, meake puta mai ki te iwi katoa. No naianei hoki i whanau ai he Kaiwhakaora mo koutou i te pa o Rawiri, ara a te Karaiti, te Ariki.’