Gathering together is a core part of the Body of Christ; we sharpen each other, encourage each other, and learn together. Across Aotearoa, groups gather with one thing in common: Christ. Two significant gatherings Elevate has loved having connections to are Northern Eastern Camp and Festival One. Festival One is an intergenerational Christian festival […]
Hamish Muir
July 30, 2024
“A security guard” is a role that would never aptly capture the incredible character of Hamish Muir; an entire magazine and fifty volunteer role titles may do his contributions to Elevate some justice. Hamish would strike you as a hilarious, well-respected, and beloved man. The beginnings of his involvement with Elevate were hesitant – to […]
The Leadership of Ross Bay
July 30, 2024
Ross Bay was “born very young,”; and laughter will cause your sides to hurt when you spend time with him. Immersed in family and Christian camping from a young age, you would have found Ross as a young boy in Nelson on his family’s home farm; otherwise known now as Teapot Valley Christian Camp. During […]
From A Mountain Climbing Accident to The Power of Vulnerability
November 28, 2023
I was born into the tribal culture of the indigenous Native American people. My parents taught me the indigenous plants, how to catch a wild horse, and the value of Creation Care. My grandparents immigrated 100 years ago from the Netherlands to the Navajo Reservation. They were beloved cross-cultural bridges to the Navajo and Zuni […]
Four Decades of National Camps!
July 25, 2023
There have been so many incredible stories and highlights from National Camps over the years. We only could fit a very few highlights and wonderful stories in this timeline. 1980’s Baptism is always a highlight of National Camp One reflected on the first camp at Matamata “I have many moving memories, but the one which […]
Auckland CFFD Camp – Building Friendships and Community
July 25, 2023
It’s been three years since the last National Camp was in Matamata and last year, we had to cancel Auckland CFFD Camp. So, with much anticipation as the committee began planning for the 2023 camp at Carey Park, there was also much prayer for it to go ahead. With all the work involved in preparing […]
CBM Kids Connect Camp
July 25, 2023
Being an Archaeologist for a Day Kids Connect camp looked a little different this year with a change of location and a change of format. After 13 years of using the local scout camp for a weekend, we found ourselves in the position of having to choose between no camp at all or a day […]
Elevate Family Camps
July 18, 2023
Elevate Family Camps are a Christ-centred weekend of family, fun and fellowship for families affected by disabilities. This year’s theme for both camps in Nelson and Auckland was “Running on Empty”. With the past few years that we’ve had, we could probably all relate to this year’s theme. But for families affected by disabilities, things can […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Kayla
July 18, 2023
My name is Kayla. I go to Connect Baptist in Auckland. I attend the youth group there and I am learning Te Reo with some other people from my church. I first heard about Elevate camps from my friend Julia, who asked me if I wanted to come to the first Elevate Family Camp. I’ve […]