On Friday, March 15th, a terrorist attack at Al Noor and Lynwood Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand left over 40 dead and additional injured. As the country grieves, our Wesleyan family of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand thank you for your prayers as they seek to extend the hands and feet of Jesus in their community.
Rev. Dr. Richard Waugh, National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand, shares the following:
“All New Zealanders of faith or no faith, are horrified by the tragic events at the mosques in Christchurch this afternoon. We repudiate such hateful action and hold onto the promise of Scripture which says, ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ It is appalling beyond words what has happened and our prayers, thoughts and practical generosity extend to all Muslim families suffering so terribly at this time. We pray for the Police, ambulance staff and hospital staff working so hard to bring some comfort.
We send our love and greetings to our resident Wesleyan Methodist minister in Christchurch, Rev. Clint Ussher and his wife Jamie (née Jackson), and congregation at The Well (www.thewellnz.org), and Pastor Rory Nimmo and nearby rural congregation of Church 360 (www.church360.nz). Some church members were in close proximity to the shooting areas including children in locked-down school situations.
Another of our Wesleyan Methodist Ministers, Rev. Frank Ritchie, who works as a media chaplain, has flown from Auckland to Christchurch tonight to assist with chaplaincy efforts and pastoral support.
In my ecumenical leadership roles, Chairman of Auckland Church Leaders Meeting and Chairman of New Zealand National Church Leaders Meeting, I am helping to coordinate the churches response to this unprecedented act of violence in a country that cherishes peace and hospitality to many.
It is so good to have many prayerful messages from many Wesleyans and other friends around the globe. Thank you.”
“With a grieving heart, I ask you to pray for the shooting victims in Christchurch,” said Dr. Wayne Schmidt. “Reverend Dr. Richard Waugh and other Wesleyans are serving as Christ’s ambassadors there offering comfort, encouragement, prayer and physical aid. May God grant them overflowing wisdom, compassion and courage, and may Christ’s holy light overcome the darkness.”
