Hi there,
This month we celebrate Papakura East’s 50th anniversary. I want to use this opportunity to offer a personal reflection about my experience of East.
In 1997 I was entering my 5th and final year of theological training and was studying at the newly formed School of Ministry (Knox College) in Dunedin. One night a lecturer from the Bible College of NZ (now Laidlaw College) came to visit. A couple of other ex-BCNZ students and their families joined us at our home as we spent time with this lecturer. It was a great evening of talking and catching up. When the time came for him to go, I saw him to the front door. Just as he was leaving he paused and turned and said words to the effect of “Don’t worry. There is a church who will call you when you have finished training. It will be good! Don’t worry about it”. I had never said anything that night about our future or my anxiety about it. Yet he saw right into my heart and perceived my secret concerns. Later when Papakura East called us the same lecturer contacted me. It was very acquainted with East and knew her history. He spoke about the spirit of Papakura East and the spirit of the first minister (Rev Lewis Wilson). His words were warm and have proved prophetic. One word he used when speaking of East was “irenic” (peaceful). This has subsequently been my experience.
In my view God has gifted a special grace upon East. It is an oasis. A place of peaceful healing. Spiritual refugees find a place there. It is a place of gentleness and strength. It is a place of faithfulness. It is a place where upsets, frustrations, annoyances and misunderstandings happen – and reconciliation happens! Superb! It is a place of life. It is “irenic”.
If I had to use a passage of scripture to sum up East, my choice would be Psa 84:

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Selah
Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed.
For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favour and honour.
No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you."

East is a gift. I thank God for her. I thank God for you.
Blessings to you
Geoff and Ruth