A group of about thirty people gathered at Mt Albert Baptist Church on Monday, 18 August, for a joint event titled “Creation Care, the Gospel & You.” It was a rich evening of fellowship and inspiration, bringing together believers from across Auckland connected with A Rocha and Interserve — along with a few curious newcomers.
The Lord and His creation were front and centre. Tables were beautifully decorated with flowers and lemons, and the evening unfolded through Bible devotions, PowerPoint images, and stories from around the world of people living out their faith through creation care.
Beulah Wood opened the evening with a devotion, preparing our hearts for what followed. Then our keynote speaker, Kuki Rokhum — Church Engagement Director for A Rocha International and long-time Interserve Partner in India — shared inspiring stories from around the globe of how churches are engaging with creation care as part of the gospel. It was fascinating to hear how the Lord is working in so many different ways, shaped by each community’s context.
Millie Vette, the Upper North Island Eco Church Coordinator, then shared about what’s happening here in Aotearoa. As a newcomer to the Eco Church movement, I learnt so much — and left encouraged by what’s already underway in our own backyard.
Liza Storey, Interserve International’s Creation Care Resource Person, offered a sobering yet hopeful look at the state of our planet and the many ways Interserve partners are responding through practical projects. God is indeed moving around the world, stirring His people to care for what He has made.
We (Helen and Paul Futter) also had the opportunity to share about the work the Lord is calling us to in East Asia, where Paul’s background in project management — particularly in hazardous waste, wastewater, and drinking water — will play a key role. We’re trusting God as we prepare to move later this year, and are thankful to have already raised 85% of our support.
To round off the evening, Liza and Richard Storey spoke about their time in Nepal, describing how their creation care work involved deep community engagement and scientific collaboration.
It was such a joy to have Kuki with us, to connect across organisations, and to hear the hum of conversation and encouragement before and after the formal sessions. The evening was a beautiful reminder that caring for creation is not just a project — it’s part of our shared calling to follow Christ faithfully in every corner of the world.
