Family Ministries NZ
“Many people ask themselves ‘what can we can do faced with the growing number of broken marriages, parents that out of insecurity fail to take their responsibilities seriously and as a result an increasing number of emotional unstable and insecure children. Those of us who work with YWAM Family Ministry are convinced that we can do something to reverse this growing crisis. We have personally experienced that the values of the Christian faith applied practically bring about real and sustained change.“
Angela Zeidler-Frèsz, FM EU
IntroductionTop ↑
Facing Reality …
Throughout the world the family is under attack. Traditionally the main unit of society – the family structure is being broken down, marriages are falling apart at an alarming rate, parents are abdicating their God-given roles responsibilities and children are growing up without emotional stability and security.
Is There an Answer?
Yes! We at Family Ministries NZ believe that God’s Word contains the blue print for family life and the recipe for its restoration.
Our mission is to see families restored and transformed through healing and restoration of broken or hurting relationships and equip them with practical skills with regards to Relationship, Marriage, Parenting and Life skills based on biblical principles. Graduates are then mobilized to bring wholeness into other families around the world. We achieve this primarily through conducting 2 annual schools: Discipleship Training School (level 1) and Family Ministry School (level 2).
Read more on our specific Mission, Purpose and Values here.
A Brief HistoryTop ↑
- First Family Ministries School (FMS) in Kona Hawaii.
- Led by Don Kirby (Founder and Director of Family Ministries at that time)
- YWAM Family Ministries in NZ began through holding seminars in Auckland, Katikati and Ashurst.
- The first FMS at Pahi under the directorship of Albert and Jeanette Jupe.
1989
- FM moved to Orama, Great Barrier Island, first Family focused Crossroads Discipleship Training School (F/CDTS)
- First Family Camp held in Rotorua.
- Held FMS and Family focused F/CDTS in Orama.
- FMS in Matamata and Family focused F/CDTS in Orama.
- Three Family Camps in Rotorua, Orama and Christchurch.
- These followed the F/CDTS and FMS.
- FM leaves Orama after several F/CDTSs and FMSs
- Several outreaches to other countries and within NZ.
- First F/CDTS at Keswick at Rotorua
- F/CDTS and an FMS with Field Assignments (outreaches)
- FMS at Matamata. Cecil and Denise Lowe became Directors of FMNZ.
- Albert & Jeanette Jupe started working with Family Ministries International.
- FM purchased a building at the Mangere Campus
- Held F/CDTS with Field Assignment (outreach).
- First FMS at Mangere.
- 31st of July – FM sold the building at Mangere and purchased ‘Crystal Springs’ at Matamata.
- First F/CDTS at Matamata.
- FMS started in February each year.
- F/CDTS started August each year.
- Pursuits Ministries joined our Matamata base and held 2 DTSs each year.
- Cecil & Denise Lowe take 12 months furlough.
- Ross and Sheryll Watkins appointed FM Directors.
- 30th June – FM purchased an office building from Tirau and shifted it on to the property.
- Mid February – FM & Pursuits purchased 8 cottages from Howick in Auckland and moved them on to the property.
- 29th June – Room for preschool purchased from the neighbor and moved on to the property