Christchurch, New Zealand Harvest
NEARLY 100 SOUTH ISLAND CHURCHES WORK TOGETHER TO BRING
"HARVEST '06" WITH GREG LAURIE TO CHRISTCHURCH, APRIL 28–30
Three-Night Harvest Event is One of the Largest Evangelistic Outreaches
in New Zealand's History
RIVERSIDE, Calif., March 27, 2006—With just one month of preparation remaining, nearly 100 churches throughout the South Island of New Zealand are joining together to host Harvest '06, one of the largest evangelistic outreach ever to be held in the area. Featuring Southern California pastor Greg Laurie, Harvest '06 will be held April 28–30 at the Westpac Centre in Christchurch, beginning at 7:30 P.M. each night. Admission is free-of-charge.
Community effort has played an integral role in promoting the event, and local residents have so far distributed more than 10,000 Harvest '06 bumper stickers around the Canterbury—with requests for information from as far away as Timaru: Auckland, Wellington. Pastors from across New Zealand plan to travel to Christchurch to attend Harvest '06.
Harvest with Greg Laurie, which presents traditional Christian beliefs in a culturally relevant way, has been to New Zealand several times in recent years. Laurie held a similar two-night event in Auckland in September of 2003, and he has spoken in the Christchurch Town Hall twice—once in October 2004 and again in September 2005.
Harvest, known for employing of-the-moment methods like Internet technology and popular Christian music in its programs, has drawn more than 3.3 million people to stadiums and arenas in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand since 1990. Each Harvest event features a message from Riverside, Calif., pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie.
Called the "evangelist of the future" by Billy Graham, Laurie draws on contemporary means to describe the relevance of faith in today's world during each program. Laurie's talks encompass topics that appeal to people of any age and answer questions like: Why am I here? Is God real? What happens when I die?
"With Harvest, we intentionally engage popular culture, using it as a bridge to reach millions of people with the simple, timeless message of the gospel," said Greg Laurie. "We're especially glad to work alongside Christchurch-area churches to offer this life-changing message that is relevant to adults, teens, and children alike."
In addition to Laurie's nightly message, Harvest '06 will feature a sampling of Christian music's hottest talent, including Steven Curtis Chapman, Audio Adrenaline, the Katinas and local band Satellite. A special musical group, the local Christchurch Worship Band, comprised of musicians from eight Christchurch churches of various denominations, will also participate. The three-night event will include a Saturday evening program called Amplify, designed especially for teens and young adults.
Harvest '06 Schedule
(program begins at 7:30 P.M./doors open at 6 P.M. nightly)
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Friday, April 28
Talk from Greg Laurie and music from Audio Adrenaline, The Katinas, and the Christchurch Praise Band.
-
Saturday, April 29 (Amplify youth event)
Talk from Greg Laurie and music from Audio Adrenaline, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Satellite.
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Sunday, April 30
Talk from Greg Laurie and music from Steven Curtis Chapman, the Katinas, and the Christchurch Praise Band.
Media Note:
Harvest '06 begins at 7:30 P.M. each evening, and is free of charge. Gates will open at 6 P.M. and Westpac Centre charges $3.00 for parking. A local Harvest '06 office is now open, located at 337 Moorhouse, Christchurch.
For more information, contact:
Hans Wouters
Harvest06@nzharvest.org
Phone: (03) 379 2058 |
