A History of New Plymouth CMMC

by Hui Kung LAU

As the RCMC Mission and Evangelism executive, it is my desire and hope to see New Plymouth Chinese Methodist Mission Centre (NPCMMC) grow into a church where the gospel of Christ can be preached and be a beacon of hope for the people of New Plymouth. I am excited because a group of RCMC English service members, including myself will be heading down to New Plymouth to celebrate NPCMMC’s 3rd anniversary on the 12th of July 2020. 

I would like to draw a parallel between the formation of the RCMC English Ser-vice in Auckland and the establishment of the NPCMMC mission centre in New Plymouth. If you look at the comparison table below, RCMC English Service took a lot longer to form than NPCMMC. It is now 2020, both services have been established. 

RCMC started with the idea of forming an English Service back in the early 2000. Started with a Bible Study and then English Fel-lowship in 2010. We decided to start an English Service without a fulltime pastor in 2012. At that time Rev Aaron had to preach in two services and using two lan-guages. It was not an easy time for Rev Aaron or both congrega-tions in RCMC. We persevered and we had to wait a further 3 years before Rev James was appointed as full-time pastor for RCMC English Service in 2015. 

Similarly, for New Plymouth there was an idea to start a mission centre in 2016. God has been gracious to New Plymouth because they started with an existing congregation and God sent Pastor Ting as the fulltime pastor in 2017. In December 2019 Pastor John Ling took over. 

What I want to illustrate is NPCMMC is currently in a stage that it took many years for RCMC English Service to reach. RCMC English Service took over 10+ years while the NPCMMC took only 2+ years. They are indeed blessed, and God has prepared a way for them. They are now in a growing stage. Undoubtedly, they will face challenges but if they remain faithful, stand firm, and continue to serve, their labour will not be in vain. 

For RCMC, I hope this sharing will encourage you to do all you can to support the growth of NPCMMC. They are many ways you can extend your support. You can support by prayer, financially or even consider visiting and go to New Plym-outh to serve. 

For NPCMMC, I hope this sharing will encourage you to persevere in your serv-ing in New Plymouth. Continue to be strong in the Lord. We do not always see the bigger picture, but God is in control. We only need to do our part, no matter how small or insignificant it is. But you must do it with joy and be faith-ful. If we do our best, God will do the rest.