Our 2030 vision
Grow. Plant. Train. Build.
We are asking God to do four big things in and through us by the year 2030. They are big things, but they are great things.
Captivated by Christ, grounded in the gospel, growing in maturity and number
It is our prayer that God would see the people of Auckland, New Zealand and the world captivated by Christ, grounded in the gospel, growing in maturity and number. From our very beginning we have been passionately and prayerfully committed to magnifying the glory of God, connecting authentically with the world and the church, sharing the good news of Jesus with the lost, and equipping the next generation of gospel workers.
120,000 more Aucklanders trusting in Jesus
When we started, around 2-3% of Auckland trusted in Jesus. That was 30,000 people. We are praying God would increase that to 150,000 people, 10% of Auckland, in bible-believing, missional churches.
Why 10%? Because when a minority group reaches 10% of a population, the way that group is viewed within society changes. And because God has done it before. Through history's most reluctant prophet Jonah, God chose to save 120,000 people in Nineveh in a single day.
In Matthew 12 Jesus explained that one "greater than Jonah" was among them. The life and mission of Jesus Christ proclaims a gospel of greater salvation, and greater hope than Nineveh ever knew.
“We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
The gospel fuels everything we do
At Ev we are very aware of the fact that we are weak. At the same time, we are extraordinarily confident because of God's strength. The news of Jesus' life, death, resurrection and ascension, though appearing foolish to the world around us, is God's power for salvation. This gospel message is not just the beginning of the Christian life, but the way God keeps and grows us in the Christian life. It is through this gospel power that we ask God to work in and through us, to see many more people trust in Jesus across this great land and beyond.
The story so far
From 8 people to a city-wide church
Ev started in January 2012 as 8 people in a lounge room. God has been faithful ever since.
First gathering
8 people in a lounge room in central Auckland
Public launch
Movie Cinemas at St Lukes Mall, February 2013
Unichurch planted
An evening congregation at the University of Auckland
Apprenticeships
First ministry apprenticeships raising gospel workers
Kids ministry
Kids ministry apprenticeship launches
2030 Vision
300+ people across the city, vision launched
“God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in His presence.”
2030 vision
Four big things
Given the resources God has given us, the immensity of the need, the urgency of the opportunity and the glory of God, we are prayerfully asking God to do four big things in and through us before the year 2030.
Grow
2,030
people across 6 campuses
God's picture of the future is a vast picture. A great multitude that no one could count. We care deeply for the lost, and we are asking God to grow His kingdom through us to 2,030 people across 6 Auckland campuses by 2030. Every one of those numbers is a person created by God and for God.
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.
Revelation 7:9
Plant
8
new churches across NZ
We are asking God to establish 4 more local campuses across Auckland and 4 regional church plants across New Zealand in Dunedin, Hamilton, Tauranga and Palmerston North. Each campus will have live preaching, its own local leadership, and its own local feel. Planting churches comes with big sacrifices, but not planting churches comes with a sacrifice we are not willing to make.
Train
30
gospel workers raised up
Jesus tells us the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. One of the greatest needs of the local church is equipping the saints for works of service. Through our ministry apprenticeship program, deep theological education, and block courses, we are asking God to raise up 30 workers for word-soaked gospel ministry by 2030.
How, then, can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.
Romans 10:14-15
Build
1
gospel training hub
Imagine a place where our community gathers to hear God's word, where people are equipped through conferences and theological training, where children meet their maker at holiday clubs, and where adults and youth feel at ease because their eyes are fixed on their heavenly home. We are not simply building Ev a home, but asking God to create a platform for gospel-centred, training-focused kingdom work for the next 200 years.
How to partner
Three ways to join in
Pray for it
Pray that God would do these four big things in and through us by 2030. We make our plans, but God determines our steps. He is in control and He calls us to depend on Him in prayer.
Stay for it
Decide that as far as humanly possible you will stay for this gospel vision. The spread of the gospel happens through relationships and relationships take time. Commit to staying with this vision until 2030 and beyond.
Pay for it
Everything we have is given to us by God, and is ultimately for His glory. The wisest investment anyone can make, the most secure investment, the investment that will produce the most return, is an investment in the kingdom of God.
For His glory alone
It is for God's glory and His glory alone that we invite you to join with us in this 2030 vision. Jesus deserves to be praised in this city, country and across the globe.