About

Ministries

HISTORY

Christian Renewal Fellowship was launched publicly on Sunday 2pm, February 13th, 1977 in a hired school hall. It was commenced by a group of 11 men, their wives and families. These men had been meeting together for several weeks for prayer and seeking God's direction.

It had become obvious to them (and to many others in Whangarei) that a new local church format was needed in the City. The move of the Holy Spirit which swept over the world in the 1960's and 1970's had brought a greater openness to the things of the Holy Spirit. In short, it was time for a new wineskin for a new season.

Graham Cruickshank had written out a propositional paper in December 1976, outlining potential and vision. It was this paper that acted as the catalyst for the group of men to meet. This group comprised the oversight group for some time. In process of time elders and deacons were commissioned, Graham Cruickshank becoming senior elder in 1978 and pastor in 1979. In both cases Graham's placement was by clear prophetic word given through well known experienced senior ministries.

The first person to be financially supported by the Fellowship was not Graham, but evangelist Barry Smith. This enabled Barry to travel out to preach. Soon standing room only crowds in both Australian and New Zealand were seen at Barry's meetings, with hundreds of people coming to Christ. Barry spoke at CRF's 25th Anniversary in 2002 and passed away while on ministry tour in Great Britain two months later.

In 1980, 2 acres of land was purchased to build a church and Christian School. In 1984 the building went up assisted by a $50,000 bank loan, paid off a few years later.

In 1993 the Christian School commenced, part of the founding vision of 1977. Graham re established his Bible College ministry under Christian Renewal Trust (Inc). Eight major building projects followed (church and school) aided by over $300,000 in bank loans and all paid off from church and separate educational funds.

In 2000, two major projects were commenced. The first was planning and fundraising for Sate 2 which would be a worship auditorium seating 1000 people. The second was to procure a sizeable site to develop a purpose built school campus.

The congregation had grown to 500 attenders of all ages by 2006, the Christian School to nearly 200 pupils and many other outreaches and activities are in evidence. Two daughter churches have also been planted at Onerahi and Ruakaka.

Christian Renewal International was launched in 2005. Networking with key national leaders in seven Nations (2006), bases and Bible Colleges are being developed and church-planting increases every year.



I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
(Jesus - Matthew 16:19)